Today’s fast-paced society is characterized by irregular lives. Our digestive systems are frequently stressed by these lifestyles, which increases the occurrence of stomach problems. Factors such as extended periods of sitting, a reliance on quick but unhealthy food options, insufficient sleep, and various digestive issues can contribute to stomach pain. When faced with this discomfort, many people turn to home remedies as the first line of defense. We’ll take a gander at how Ayurveda can assist with stomach-related issues in this piece. We’ll also look more closely at the causes of these discomforts, significant warning indicators to watch out for, and easy home cures that can offer relief.
What is Stomach Pain?
Stomach pain, often described as a sharp, pricking sensation akin to being pierced by a needle or nail, typically occurs due to an imbalance of the Vata dosha in the body. This discomfort is attributed to colic by Ayurveda, which has many possible causes.
Common Causes of Stomach Pain
- Overeating: Consuming excessive quantities of food can strain the digestive system.
- Excessive Water Consumption: Drinking too much water, especially during or immediately after meals, can dilute stomach acids.
- Spicy and Oily Foods: A diet rich in spicy and oily foods can lead to digestive issues.
- Contaminated Water: Consuming dirty or contaminated water can introduce harmful bacteria.
- Processed Foods: Excessive consumption of fast food items like pizza, burgers, ice cream, and samosas can be harsh on the stomach.
- Skipping Meals: Prolonged periods without eating, especially when working long hours, can lead to digestive discomfort.
- Consuming Stale Food: Leftover food from the previous night may lose its nutritional value and become difficult to digest.
- Menstrual Timing: Women may experience stomach pain during their menstrual cycle.
- Sprouted Pulses: Overindulgence in sprouted pulses can cause digestive issues.
- Dry Meat: The consumption of dry meat can be challenging for digestion.
Exercising Immediately After Eating: Rigorous physical activity shortly after eating may lead to stomach discomfort.
Other Contributing Factors
Stomach pain can also be associated with various medical conditions, including:
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
- Gastric problems
- Gallstones
- Kidney stones
- Hernia
- Acidity
- Intestinal obstruction
- Pyelonephritis
- Urinary tract infection
Ayurvedic Perspective on Stomach Pain
According to Ayurveda, stomach pain primarily results from an imbalance in the Vata dosha. This imbalance weakens the digestive system and leads to the characteristic pricking pain. It’s worth noting that when Vata dosha is imbalanced, it can also affect the other two doshas in the body—Pitta and Kapha. This can result in additional symptoms such as an upset stomach, kidney pain, excessive thirst, nausea, intermittent abdominal pain, and more, all stemming from the disruption of Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Symptoms of Stomach Pain or Upset Stomach Burning sensation
- Intermittent stomach ache
- Rumbling in the stomach
- Excessive belching
- Fever
- Belching
- Nausea and vomiting
- Feeling of a needle prick in the stomach
- Bloating or heaviness in the abdomen
- Occasional stomach pain during urination
Preventing Stomach Pain
To find relief from stomach pain, the first step is to make necessary changes in your diet and lifestyle. Here are some tips:
- Best Foods to Ease an Upset Stomach Consume light foods like moong dal, porridge, buttermilk, papaya, and pomegranate juice.
- Avoid tea, coffee, and milk.
- Mix roasted carom powder with buttermilk.
- Avoid sour items like pickles and lemons.
- In case of vomiting due to stomach ache, refrain from eating for about six hours, then gradually introduce mild foods like rice water and moong dal water.
Lifestyle Changes for Stomach Pain Relief
- Start your day with 1-2 glasses of lukewarm water to cleanse your stomach.
- Limit oily and flour-based foods, as well as tea and coffee.
- Avoid retaining stool for extended periods.
- Don’t drink excessive water immediately after exercising.
- Opt for easily digestible, mild vegetables like gourd, zucchini, tinda, and parwal at night.
- Refrain from heavy, oily, and spicy foods before bedtime.
- Avoid staying awake late at night, as it can disrupt Vata dosha balance and lead to gas and chest discomfort.
- Ensure you have your meals early, allowing sufficient time for proper digestion.
Home Remedies for Stomach Pain
Here are some effective home remedies to alleviate stomach pain:
- Raspipari for Children: Raspipari, in the form of powder or tablets mixed with honey or nutmeg, is beneficial for children. Administering this remedy two to three times a day can provide relief from stomach ache, vomiting, gas, and fever in children.
- Asafoetida Paste: Create a paste by mixing half a teaspoon of asafoetida with water and apply it around the baby’s navel for quick relief from stomachache.
- Nutmeg and Lemon: Mixing nutmeg with lemon juice and consuming it can help relieve stomachache and gas.
- Black Salt Powder: Blend black salt, dried ginger, asafetida, and carom seeds in equal parts to create a powder. Taking 2 grams in the morning and evening with lukewarm water can alleviate heartburn and an upset stomach.
- Dashmularishta: Mix 4 spoons of Dashmularishta with 4 spoons of water and consume it in the morning and evening after meals. This Ayurvedic medicine is readily available at Ayurvedic stores and can help with stomach problems.
- Celery: Grinding 1-2 grams of carom seeds and 1 gram of soth (dried ginger) together and consuming it with lukewarm water on an empty stomach or after breakfast can reduce stomach pain and enhance appetite. Take this mixture twice a day.
- Harad: Soaked myrobalan (harad), black salt, long pepper, and carom seeds can be ground together and consumed with warm water in the morning and evening. This remedy reduces excessive gas production and aids in bowel movements.
- Mint, Honey, and Lemon: A mixture of 10 mg mint juice, 10 mg honey, and 2.5 mg lemon juice, when consumed together with fresh water, provides relief from stomach ache.
- Dry Ginger Paste: A paste made from 2 grams of dry ginger, 2 grams of black pepper, 2 grams of asafetida, and 2 grams of rock salt can be applied around the navel to relieve abdominal colic.
- Carom Seeds and Jaggery: Grinding 3 grams of carom seeds with 3 grams of jaggery and consuming it can prevent vomiting and reduce flatulence.