Category: IBS

November 26, 2018

How Bilva is useful in Treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

Bilva: Overview

Bilva or Bael fruit (Aegle marmelos) is considered to be a very beneficial fruit for good health, because of which it holds a special importance in ancient medicinal systems. The fruit is specifically capable of balancing the ‘Vata’ and ‘Kapha’ doshas of the body, and has proven abilities to treat different types of infections in the body, especially worm infestation and stomach related problems.

Some of the basic information about Bilva can be outlined as follows:

  • Bilva or Bael fruit is a sweet, aromatic fruit which is native to India and Southeast Asia.
  • It is believed to be a spiritual, religious and medicinal plant
  • It is known by different names, such as Bengal quince, golden apple, Japanese bitter orange, stone apple, wood apple, etc.
  • The fruit can be consumed fresh or dried, as well as in the form of juice.

The use of Bilva can be very beneficial for patients suffering from several diseases, because of its proven anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Bilva is one of the few plants whose entire parts — root, stem, leaves, flower, fruit, etc. — can be used for treating different diseases. The root of Bilva can improve digestion, its stem is useful for treating heart problems, the leaves are beneficial in relieving pain, the flower is beneficial for managing Diarrhoea, and fruit is useful in treating digestion-related problems and balancing Vata and Kapha doshas.

In Ayurveda, Bilva has been used for the preparation of several herbal formulations since ancient times, particularly to treat gastrointestinal disorders like IBS. Ayurvedic experts believe that the use of unripe Bilva fruit is helpful in treating digestive disorders, while the use of ripe fruit is believed to have a laxative effect.

IBS Treatment in Ayurveda

How Bilva is useful in IBS?

Bilva is one of the ‘dashmool’ herbs, with remarkable medicinal properties to treat a number of health conditions, including:

  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Asthma
  • Colds
  • Diabetes
  • Constipation
  • High cholesterol
  • Heart disease.

The use of Bilva is particularly beneficial in managing gastro-intestinal disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which is also known by some other names, including colitis, mucous colitis, spastic colon, or spastic bowel.

IBS is essentially a ‘functional bowel disorder’ which can be a long-lasting condition, but it is not life-threatening. The disorder generally results from the hypersensitivity of the colon, which may overreact to mild irritation. The condition leads to bowel muscle spasm, instead of slow, rhythmic muscle movements; thereby causing constipation or diarrhoea, or changes in stool.

IBS is typically characterized by chronic pain in the abdomen, discomfort, gas/bloating, heartburn, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, rectal bleeding, and change of bowel habits. In addition, the other symptoms of the disorder are harder/loose stools than normal, and the sticking out of the belly. Some IBS patients may also have urinary symptoms or sexual problems.

The use of Bilva is recommended for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) because of the following reasons:

  • Presence of substances like ‘tannins,’ which comprise a class of compounds that are known for their anti-inflammatory effects.
  • Presence of calcium, iron, phosphorous, protein and fiber
  • Abundant amounts of alakloids, polysaccharides, antioxidants, beta carotene, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and many other bio-chemical substances.
  • Ability to protect the digestive system from ulceration.
  • Ability to reduce the frequency of IBS and intestinal spasm.
  • Beneficial in treating several infections of the Elementary canal.
  • Helpful in eliminating the old accumulated fecal matter from the bowels.
  • Ability to clean and tone the intestines by removing toxins.

Overall, Bilva is an excellent medicinal plant which can support intestinal biological formulations and reduce the frequency of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Benefits of Bilva in Treating IBS : Ayurvedic Viewpoint<

Ayurvedic practitioners have been using Bilva or Bael fruit for treating several disorders since ancient times because of the immense health benefits of the fruit. According to Ayurveda, Bilva has the following health benefits:

  • It can calm down the extra heat in the body.
  • It can correct gastric disturbances like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diarrhoea, and colitis.
  • Bilva leaves powder is useful in diabetes.
  • Bilva is used as a cardiac tonic.
  • Bilva is useful in treating ‘Vata’ disorders like epilepsy, hysteria, and insomnia.
  • Bilva roots can reduce swelling of the uterus, and is thus useful in pregnancy, leucorrhoea.
  • Bilva can be used as laxative.
  • It can be used for treating jaundice.

In Ayurveda, the use of Bilva is considered to be beneficial for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which is called ‘Grahani.’ It is another name for the small intestine, and is chiefly linked to the small intestine’s capability to store and metabolize food. It is in the small intestine that the food is held for the time period until it gets digested. Hence, the small intestine sees a lot of enzymatic activity or ‘agni.’ However, if an individual is suffering from a health condition in which the ‘agni’ becomes weak because of the malfunctioning of the digestive enzymes, the food is released by the small intestine in an undigested form.

Hence, according to Ayurveda, a weak ‘agni’ leads to gastrointestinal conditions like IBS because it can result in the accumulation of toxins in tissues, blocking of circulation, imbalance of the nervous system, physical and mental stress, disruption of natural biological rhythms, and lowering of natural resistance and immunity.

Ayurveda practitioners may recommend the use of Bilva to IBS patients, along with asking them to avoid the consumption of foods which aggravate the body’s ‘Vata’ dosha.

Conclusion

  • Along with the benefits of the use of Bilva in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), it is also important to mention that the disorder can be effectively managed with some excellent herbal products available from herbal manufacturing companies.

Ayuredic Treatment For Irritable Bowel Syndrome(IBS)

Ayuredic Treatment For Irritable Bowel Syndrome(IBS)

Planet Ayurveda is one such renowned company which offers some beneficial formulations for managing IBS.

Our Products – These formulations Include

  1. Digestion Support capsules
  2. Pitta Balance capsules
  3. Kutajghan Vati tablets
  4. Sanjivani Vati tablets.

These products are prepared from standardized extracts of potent herbs, and other natural herbal components, which can be useful in treating IBS.

Herbs in IBS Care Pack

Some of the herbs which are used for preparing these formulations in particular include

  • Amalaki (Emblica officinalis)
  • Vibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica)
  • Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
  • Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia)
  • Shunthi (Zingiber officinale)
  • Pippali (Piper longum)
  • Jeerak (Cymium cumium)
  • Sounf (Foeniculum vulgare)
  • Bahera (Terminalia bellerica)
  • Dhania (Coriander sativum)
  • Kutaj (Halorrhena Antidysentrica)
  • Praval Pishti (Coral Calcium)
  • Akik Pishti (Agate Calcium)
  • Mukta Pishti (Pearl Calcium)
  • Jawar Mohra Pishti (an Ayurvedic Calcium compound)
  • Kamdhudha Ras (an Ayurvedic Calcium compound).

All the herbs and herbal components which are used by Ayurvedic experts at Planet Ayurveda for preparing the herbal formulations for managing IBS are clearly mentioned in ancient Ayurvedic texts for their immense health benefits.

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January 30, 2018

Ulcerative Colitis Treatment in Ayurveda-Diet & Home Remedies

Ulcerative Colitis: General idea

Ulcerative Colitis is a commonly-occurring inflammatory bowel disease which can result in the formation of ulcers, thereby causing the swelling of the colon (the large intestine). The condition is debilitating, and it can basically incapacitate the affected individuals, making it difficult for them to perform day-to-day routine activities.

In Ulcerative Colitis, the inner layer of the colon gets inflamed due to harmful bacteria. As a result, the intestinal area of the sufferers becomes quite narrow, and they experience a lot of discomfort and difficulty in passing stool.
Ulcerative colitis natural remedies

Ulcerative Colitis can trigger the occurrence of several chronic issues like severe diarrhoea, joints pains, vomiting, inflammation of the colon, soreness of the digestive tract, and digestive problems. The condition can also result in the scarring of bile ducts and pancreas; and, in some cases, it can even lead to potentially life-threatening complications.

The onset of Ulcerative Colitis is mostly quite gradual, and the condition can worsen over a period of time. The symptoms of the condition can undergo a change over time, and can range from mild to severe. The most common indications of the disease include abdominal pain, gastrointestinal problems, fever, blood or pus in stool, urgency to use the bathroom, anaemia, poor appetite, weight loss, and rapid heart rate.

Diet & Home Remedies for Ulcerative colitis

Dietary recommendations for patients of Ulcerative Colitis

  • The patients of Ulcerative Colitis are advised to consume some specific foods to remain nourished and healthy; and, at the same time, avoid certain foods which can make their condition worse. Specifically, some of the dietary recommendations for Ulcerative Colitis patients have been listed below:

Eliminate foods which can worsen inflammation

  • Ulcerative Colitis patients should not eat foods which can increase inflammatory symptoms and cause further discomfort to them. The foods which should be eliminated from their diet include white bread and other refined carbohydrates, packaged foods, processed foods, trans fats, and sugar. In addition, spicy and junk foods should also be avoided.

Increase the intake of Phytochemicals

  • The symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis can be significantly reduced by consuming a diet which has abundance of ‘phytochemicals’ (chemicals which are found in plants). A phytochemicals-rich diet ideally includes apples, bael, Indian gooseberry (amla), green tea, olive oil etc.

Eat a low-fiber diet

  • For relieving the symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis, the sufferers of the condition should eat a low-fiber diet and avoid the consumption of buttery and greasy foods, fruits with seeds, citrus fruits, ginger and garlic. Moreover, since most of the Ulcerative Colitis patients suffer from ‘lactose intolerance’, the consumption of milk and other dairy products should also be avoided.

Overall, the diet which Ulcerative Colitis patients need to follow should include vegetables like pumpkin, bottle gourd, ridge gourd, ash gourd, and round guard. Furthermore, a balanced diet for these patients should also contain proteins, complex carbohydrates, essential minerals, fats, vitamins and other nutrients in adequate quantity. The sufferers of this condition should eat several small meals a day, and also drink plenty of water in order to remain hydrated, especially during a bout of diarrhoea. Since the condition can lead to deficiency of calcium or Vitamin D (and bone loss), the sufferers should take a natural calcium and Vitamin D supplement.

Home Remedies for Patients of Ulcerative Colitis

  • Ulcerative Colitis symptoms can also be effectively relieved with the help of some simple and time-tested home remedies. A few common home remedies which can be very beneficial for Ulcerative Colitis patients are:

Herbal tea

  • Herbal tea is an excellent home remedy for managing abdominal pain, acidity, bloating and some of the other symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis. For best results, the sufferers of this condition should consume a cup of herbal tea once or twice a day. The tea should be prepared using cumin, fennel, cumin, and thyme.

Apples

  • The intake of apples is also a useful home remedy for Ulcerative Colitis. The disease can drain out a lot of blood from the body of the patients and can, thus, result in loss of iron. For replenishing the lost iron, the consumption of apples can be very beneficial because apples are a rich source of iron. Eating apples after meals can prevent Ulcerative Colitis symptoms like bloating. Boiled apples can also be used for desired results in managing the disease.

Bananas

  • Eat two bananas daily or add chopped bananas slices to a cup of yogurt. This will help in boosting nutrition and treats diarrhoea.

Pomegranate juice

  • Another beneficial home remedy for Ulcerative Colitis is the consumption of pomegranate juice. This juice can provide relief from pain, bleeding and other symptoms. The patients suffering from Ulcerative Colitis are advised to drink at least 50ml of pomegranate juice two times a day.

Goond katira

  • It is another wonderful home remedy for the same. Soak a piece of it in a glass of water for few hours and mix well to drink later.

Rose petals juice

  • Another amazing home remedy for ulcerative colitis is here. 2 tbsp daily, twice can also help in an effective way to deal with bleeding and burning feeling.

Beneficial herbs

Certain useful herbs also have proven properties to relieve most of the painful and inflammatory symptoms of Ulcerative Colitis. The herbs which are particularly beneficial for the patients suffering from this disease include: Kutaja (Halorrhena antidysentrica), Musta (Cyprus rotundus), Lodhra (Symplocos racemosa), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Daruharidra (Berberis aristata), and Patha (Cissampelos pareira).

Conclusion

  • The dietary recommendations and home remedies discussed above briefly mean that the patients of Ulcerative Colitis should eat foods which can reduce the symptoms of flare-ups, and avoid the consumption of unhygienic food items.
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