DIETThere is no physical health without a healthy digestive tract—this is seen in the importance of agni (digestive fire) and digestion in the creation of dhatus (tissues) and ojas (immunity) in the body. These remedies bring quick relief to many minor ailments.
Appetite loss
These remedies are intended for those who have a loss of appetite but when food is still required, such as in times of stress. Loss of appetite due to disease is serious, and and should be treated only under professional medical supervision.
FOR ALL DOSHAS
• Drink 1 tbsp lemon juice or 1/2 cup buttermilk with a pinch of rock salt up to three times a day. (Omit salt if you have high blood pressure.)
• Drink 1 tbsp lemon or ginger juice with 1/2 tsp honey up to three times a day.
•Take 1/2 tsp black pepper with raw cane sugar up to three times a day. Drink a glass of warm water after taking the pepper.
Colitis or irritable colon
This remedy can be used in addition to professional medical treatment and dietary advice.
FOR ALL DOSHAS
• Mix equal parts sesame oil, ghee, turmeric, and honey and take 2 tsp three times a day.
Constipation
This should be corrected as soon as possible. Alongside a proper diet, these remedies will help.
FOR ALL DOSHAS
• Drink a glass of hot water early in the morning; for vata and kapha, add a pinch rock salt. (Omit salt if you have high blood pressure.)
• Soak 1 part psyllium husk in 6 parts water and drink 1⁄2 cup three to four times a day.
• To support peristalsis, soak dill seeds in water overnight and take 1 tsp seeds before every meal.
FOR VATA & PITTA ONLY
• Drink 1 cup aloe vera juice in the morning and evening.
• Before going to bed, drink 1 cup lukewarm water or warmed milk mixed with 3 tsp melted ghee.
DIET
• Increase the amount of vegetables that you eat.
• Figs, plums, raisins, prunes, dates, grapes, leafy vegetables, licorice, linseed, and molasses are all beneficial.
• Drink buttermilk.
YOGA
• Practice deep breathing, sun salutation, shoulderstand, forward bend, and cobra.
Diarrhea
These remedies support medical treatment and help maintain good agni (digestive fire). Seek professional medical advice if you have no appetite and experience weight loss, if your stool is dark and smelly (this may indicate bleeding), or the diarrhea doesn’t go away within 3 days. Always seek professional medical advice before treating a baby or child, and only use these remedies under professional medical supervision.
FOR ALL DOSHAS
• Take 1⁄2 tsp ground ginger with 1⁄2 tsp caraway seeds and 1 tsp jaggery twice a day; or take 1 tsp cane sugar in 1 tbsp lemon juice twice a day.
• Take 1/2 tsp ground coriander, 1/4 tsp ground cumin, a pinch of ginger, and a pinch of salt in 1 cup warm water throughout the day. (Omit salt if you have high blood pressure.)
• To support stool formation, soak 1 tsp psyllium husk in 1 cup water and drink three times a day.
DIET
• Eat walnuts, poppy seeds, and soaked fenugreek seeds.
• Drink buttermilk and pomegranate juice.
CHILDREN
• Give the affected child a pinch of nutmeg and 1/4 tsp ground ginger in some ghee.
Flatulence & bloating
This is most often a sign that vata is elevated, so these remedies are intended to help pacify vata.
FOR VATA & KAPHA ONLY
• Take ½ tsp ground ajwain, ½ tsp ground ginger, and a pinch black salt in 1 cup warm water before every meal. (Omit salt if you have high blood pressure.)
DIET
• Long pepper, lemon, coriander, fresh or ground ginger, mint, black pepper, fenugreek seeds, fennel, nutmeg, tulsi, turmeric, ajwain seeds, aniseed, caraway seeds, cardamom, chamomile, cinnamon, cloves, cumin, bay leaves, and dill seeds are all beneficial.
BABIES
• Apply warm dill seed oil or castor oil around the navel.
Gastritis
These remedies can help reduce stomach acidity and increase agni (digestive fire). Seek professional medical advice if symptoms last more than 3 days, or if the pain is worsening.
FOR ALL DOSHAS
• Made a pill from 1/4 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp ghee, and 1 tsp jaggery, and take it 15–30 minutes before every meal.
FOR VATA & KAPHA ONLY
• Eat 1 tsp ajwain immediately after meals.
FOR PITTA ONLY
• Eat 1 tsp turmeric after every meal.
DIET
• Eat carrots, coconut, soaked fenugreek seeds, leafy vegetables, and mung dhal.
• Drink lemon juice in warm water.
• Avoid eating sour fruit, pungent spices, and yogurt.
Gastritis with stomach pain
Sometimes gastritis occurs with stomach cramps. In such cases, use these remedies to alleviate pain.
FOR ALL DOSHAS
• Drink a decoction of ground cloves. Clove reduces inflammation and acts as a local anesthetic.
Heartburn or acid reflux
Try using the following remedies when you have an empty stomach and after meals. Seek professional medical advice if you experience persistent heartburn over 3 weeks.
FOR ALL DOSHAS
• Drink 1 cup pomegranate juice mixed with 1 tsp honey up to three times a day.
• Take 1 tsp ground cumin with honey in equal parts up to three times a day.
Indigestion & weak agni (digestive fire)
Try these remedies on a daily basis to increase your well-being. See also diet for agni here. Seek professional medical advice if you get indigestion regularly or if the pain is worsening.
FOR ALL DOSHAS
• Drink 1 tbsp lemon juice and 1 tsp ginger juice in 1 cup warm water with 1 tsp honey every morning.
• Eat a bit of ginger-raisin chutney immediately before every meal.
FOR VATA & PITTA ONLY
• Chew 1⁄4 tsp coriander seeds.
FOR VATA & KAPHA ONLY
• Eat 1⁄2 tsp fresh ginger with a pinch of salt immediately before each meal. (Omit salt if you have high blood pressure.)
• After heavy meals, drink a black pepper decoction.
FOR PITTA ONLY
• After a heavy meal, drink a long pepper decoction, or take 1 tsp ground cumin boiled in 1 cup buttermilk with a small amount of vegetable oil and a pinch of rock salt. (Omit salt if you have high blood pressure.)
FOR PITTA & KAPHA ONLY
• Eat a bit of ground long pepper with honey immediately before every meal.
DIET
• Use plenty of spices when cooking meals. For vata and kapha, black cardamom is especially beneficial. For pitta, bitter herbs, such as turmeric, are beneficial.
YOGA
• Practice asanas and 3 minutes of deep breathing each day.
Nausea
Severe nausea and vomiting require immediate professional medical attention. These remedies can be used in cases of mild nausea.
FOR ALL DOSHAS
• Eat 1⁄2 tsp fresh ginger mixed with 1 tbsp lemon juice and a pinch of rock salt as needed, but no more than once every 10 minutes. (Omit salt if you have high blood pressure.)
• Drink a strong tea or decoction of caraway seeds, coriander seeds (can also be chewed), fennel, or mint as needed.