Category: Ayurveda

January 11, 2019

What foods to avoid if you have Ulcerative Colitis

Overview

Ulcerative colitis is referred to as the inflammation of the colon that includes characteristic of ulcers, or open sores. The inflammation affects the whole area.

It affects both males and females and of any age group can have ulcerative colitis. 15-30 years is the age group when people are more prone to ulcerative colitis because of their life style.

It is considered as an intermittent disease with periods of exacerbated symptoms, and periods that are relatively symptoms free.

ulcerative colitis treatment

The ulceration and inflammation starts in the rectum and in the lower section of the colon, but as the disease progresses, it spreads through the entire colon.

If not treated and diagnosed early, it may result in various complications that can affect the daily life of an individual.

In modern medicine, there is no satisfactory treatment available till date but according to Ayurveda, it is managed naturally by avoiding certain foods in the diet.

What are the causes of Ulcerative Colitis according to Ayurveda?

Ulcerative Colitis is known as Grahni dosha in Ayurveda. It was mentioned in Sushruta Samhita 3000 years ago that ulcerative colitis affects Pitta dominant people.

Intake of foods that imbalance the Pitta dosha in the body further aggravates the condition.

Excessive intake of food such as:

  • Processed food
  • Intake of fried, hot and spicy food
  • Artificially flavored foods such as artificial sweeteners, colors etc.
  • Intake of food made of refined flour
  • Junk food.

Ulcerative colitis treatment in Ayurveda

What are the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis?

The symptoms usually begin in the lower part of the colon and then spread upwards.

Symptoms are:

  • Increased urgency to move the bowel
  • Cramping pain in the abdomen
  • Blood and mucus in the stool
  • Abdominal pain
  • Vomiting
  • Nausea
  • Low-grade fever
  • Unintentional weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Distended abdomen
  • Lesions in the skin
  • Rectal Pain
  • Rectal bleeding

What Diet Should Be Followed in Ulcerative Colitis?

  • Diet plays an important role in the treatment of ulcerative colitis because it is caused due to wrong eating habits. People who eat non-vegetarian food and tend to draw most of their protein need from meat are more prone to ulcerative colitis.
  • The diet which is rich in astringent principles should be followed. The ulcerative colitis may vary from person to person depending on the patient’s Prakriti.
  • Proper diet and nutrition play an important role in the management of ulcerative colitis so as to prevent weight loss.

What Foods to be avoided in Ulcerative Colitis

1.Pitta Aggravating Food

Avoid Pitta aggravating food such as red chilies, tea, coffee, alcohol as they can aggravate the symptoms.

  • During an active flare, it is best to avoid spices and stick to plain foods to heal the colon as well as to minimize the symptoms.
  • Use of only mild spices is recommended to avoid the irritation of the digestive tract.
  • Certain Pitta aggravating foods such as- cold drinks, fried foods, alcohol, ghee, and sweets should be avoided.
  • Tomatoes should be avoided as they aggravate Pitta dosha in the body.
  • Foods such as soy protein, onions should be avoided as they tend to cause excessive acid formation and irritate the gut.

2.Dairy Products:

Certain dairy products such as- milk, buttermilk, cottage cheese should be avoided as people with ulcerative colitis are generally lactose intolerant.

  • The sugar present in milk and dairy products is known as lactose.
  • In some patients of ulcerative colitis, the small intestine lacks the digestive enzyme known as lactase.
  • Lactose intolerance causes symptoms such as- abdominal pain and diarrhea. So, avoid dairy products to reduce these symptoms.
  • Moreover, dairy products contain a lot of saturated fat which cannot be digested properly.

3.Carbonated Beverages:

The carbonated beverages are rich in carbonic acid which causes gas formation and abdominal discomfort.

  • These beverages also contain caffeine which can worsen diarrhea.
  • So, carbonated drinks should be avoided by the patients suffering from ulcerative colitis.

4.Nuts and Seeds:

Nuts and seeds are hard to digest so these should be avoided by ulcerative colitis patients.

  • In ulcerative colitis, there are active flare-ups. So, it is best to eat foods that are easily digestible and those foods which don’t irritate the further lining of the intestines.
  • So, avoid foods which are high in fiber such as- nuts, seeds, raw vegetables.

5.Alcohol

  • Alcohol may affect different parts of the body but in ulcerative colitis, it stimulates the intestines and causes diarrhea.
  • So, consumption of alcohol should be avoided as it damages the liver too.

6.High-Fat Foods:

  • High-fat foods such as- butter, cream, fried or greasy food should be avoided as body’s digestive fire is not balanced, so these foods are not digested properly and act as a load on the system.

7.Vata dosha aggravating food:

The foods which form more gas formation or causes Vata imbalance should be avoided.

  • Certain foods such as- sprouts, cabbage, sweet corns, broccoli should be avoided.
  • These foods cause excessive wind formation in the gut.

8.Whole Grains:

High-fiber foods are hard to digest and are the cause of bloating, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

  • Fiber rich food should be avoided by the patients suffering from ulcerative colitis as the body is not able to digest whole grains during flare-ups.
  • So, avoid food products which are rich in fibre.
  • Limit the intake of fibre rich vegetables such as- broccoli and cabbage which can cause excessive gas formation.

9.Processed Foods:

Processed foods contain refined carbohydrates and excessive amounts of sugar.

  • Sugars may cause the over-growth of yeast infections and can trigger ulcerative colitis.
  • So, processed foods should be avoided by the patients suffering from ulcerative colitis.

It is important to know that ulcerative colitis patient has different food intolerance because of their parkriti. The intolerance to milk while and sensitive to high fibre food again depends on Prakriti of one.

In addition to diet, stress is also a causative factor of ulcerative colitis. Stress also triggers a flare-up of the disease as chronic stress weakens the immune system making system more susceptible to ulcerative colitis.

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January 8, 2019

How to Manage Seasonal Allergies with Diet and Home Remedies

Ayurveda, the age-old science of life has always emphasized to maintain the health and preventing the diseases by proper diet and lifestyle regimen rather than the treatment and cure of the diseases.

With the change in season, there are various changes in bio-life around us. If the body is unable to adopt itself to stressors due to changes in specific traits of seasons, it may lead to Dosha Vaishamya which in turn render the body to disorders.

In allopathic medicine, there is primarily only a symptomatic treatment but in Ayurveda, it can be managed with simple home remedies and diet.

seasonal allergies

What is Allergy?

  • An allergy is a hypersensitive reaction of the body when it comes in contact with a substance that is in fact harmless.these hypersensitive response comes from the natural immune system.

What are the different types of allergies?

In Ayurveda, there are two types of allergen reactions:

  • One is the type that a person is born with which is caused by genetic predisposition. This allergy can be due to certain allergens in the environment such as: dust, pollen etc.
  • The second category includes a seasonal reaction or sensitivity that a person has acquired later in life which can be dealt very easily and is the main focus of this article.

What are the causes of Seasonal Allergies according to Ayurveda?

The main cause of seasonal and acquired sensitivities is a reactive type of toxin known as “Amavisha”.

  • Ama in the body is created by the incomplete digestion of the food which eventually travel to different organs or tissues in the body and get lodge there.
  • If Ama is not flushed out, this Ama interacts with the organs, tissues where it gets settled and it develops into the reactive toxin known as “Amavisha”.
  • When substances such as dust, pollen react with Amavisha, this creates a reaction.
  • Amavisha disrupts the immune system. As a result, when the immune system is affected by the accumulation of Amavisha, it cannot function normally and loses its Adaptability.

Symptoms of allergies

What are the symptoms of Seasonal Allergies?

  • Running nose
  • Watery and itchy eyes
  • Severe itching
  • Swelling of the membranes
  • Vomiting
  • Wheezing
  • Sneezing
  • Nausea
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Body ache
  • Hoarseness of the voice
  • Headache

How to manage Seasonal Allergies with Diet and Home Remedies:

Nasal Rinse

1.Nasal Rinse:

  • Nasal rinse or neti-pot is the practice of pouring warm salt water through the nasal passages as it moistens the mucous membranes and cleanses the nasal passage from dust, pollens, excess mucous etc.

Gargling:

2.Gargling:

  • If the throat is aggravated, gargling with a bit of honey in hot water is beneficial.

How to use:

  • Gargling can also be done with 1 cup of hot water and 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1 teaspoon of natural mineral salt.

Cinnamon

3.Cinnamon:

  • Cinnamon is very effective in treating seasonal allergies. It also helps in easing the pain of sore throat.

How to use:

  • Mix 1/4 tablespoon of cinnamon powder in honey and add it in a glass of lukewarm water. Stir well and consume it once a day.

Turmeric Milk

4.Turmeric Milk:

  • Turmeric is considered as the best natural anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic.

How to use:

  • Add 1/2 tsp. turmeric and ginger paste to 1 glass of milk and boil it for few minutes. Drink it warm. Take turmeric milk regularly for effective and good results.

Guava

5.Guava and its Leaves:

  • Guava is loaded with Vitamin C, Vitamin A, copper, potassium, folic acid and many other phytochemicals. The leaves of guava are also helpful in treating cold and sore throat by reducing mucus formation, lung congestion and makes the respiratory tract free from infections as it contains iron and Vitamin C in abundance.

How to use:

  • The juice of immature and raw guavas or guava leaves decoction should be consumed regularly.

6.Asafoetida:

  • Asafoetida (Hing) has anti-inflammatory, anti-biotic and anti-viral properties in curing respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, allergies, common cold etc. Hing acts as a respiratory stimulant that is very useful in releasing   phlegm.

How to use:

  • Make a fine paste of 1/4 tsp. of Asafoetida, 1/4 tsp. of ginger extract and add little honey. Add this paste to lukewarm water. Consume this mixture twice a day.

Herbal Tea

7.Herbal Tea:

  • Herbal Tea can be prepared at home with the help of ingredients available in the kitchen such as: black pepper, ginger and basil leaves.

How to prepare?

  • Take 5-10 black pepper, 1 inch fresh ginger, and 1/2 tsp. dried powder of basil leaves.
  • Make the powder of black pepper and add all these ingredients in milk and allow it to boil. Strain it and drink this herbal tea by adding honey into it.

8.Triphala Powder:

  • Triphala is a traditional Ayurvedic formula comprised of three fruits which balances all the three doshas in the body. It also has the unique property to gently cleanse and detoxify the digestive tract and nourishes, replenishes and rejuvenates the tissues.
  • The digestive strength is intricately related to the immune response so clearing out as well as firing up the digestive capacity can be tremendously helpful.

How to use:

  • Take 1 teaspoon of Triphala powder in a cup of freshly boiled water for 10 minutes. Cool it and drink.

What Foods to Eat and Avoid?

  • Eliminate dairy products as it increases Kapha dosha in the body. Cheese, creams, yogurt etc. should be avoided.
  • Include spices in the diet as they burn Ama in the diet. Spices such as: cumin, black pepper, coriander, turmeric in the diet.
  • Eat fresh and well cooked food.
  • Foods prepared from the refined flour such as: bread, cakes, pastries, biscuits and fast food should be avoided.
  • Avoid fruits such as bananas.
  • Avoid cold beverages such as: cold drinks.
  • Chew a piece of ginger or garlic.
  • Get fresh air and sufficient rest.
  • Include herbs such as: Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Mulethi (licorice powder), and Indian gooseberry fruit powder in the diet.

Questions:

  1. What is the cause of seasonal allergies according to Ayurveda?
  2. Can seasonal allergies be managed at home?
  3. Why turmeric is used as a natural remedy for curing seasonal allergies?
  4. Why dairy products should be avoided while suffering from seasonal allergies?

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