Ulcers
Ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract are a pitta disorder. Pitta is hot, sharp, and penetrating, and when aggravated, it can erode the surface of internal organs or soft tissues. The mucous membrane lining the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, or colon can develop ulceration because of excess pitta.
Individuals with a pitta constitution or pitta disorder, or whose blood type is O and Rh-positive, are more prone to developing ulcers. A person with ulcers may experience pain, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, midback ache, and shoulder pain.
THE MAIN PRINCIPLE FOR TREATMENT: PACIFY PITTA. Ulcers can be effectively treated by treating the high pitta. If you have ulcers, strictly follow the pitta-pacifying diet: avoid hot spicy food, fermented or sour food, sour fruit, and citrus fruit. (See chapter 8 for complete guidelines.) Stay away from alcohol, tobacco, and coffee. And do not take aspirins or steroids, which can accelerate erosion of the gastric mucosal membrane.
TWO HERBAL FORMULAS. An effective herbal treatment for ulcers is the following formula:
shatavari 5 parts
yashti madhu 3 parts
shanka bhasma ⅛ part
kama dudha ⅛ part
Take ½ teaspoon of this mixture twice a day, after lunch and dinner, with a little warm water.
- Taking 1 teaspoon of sat isabgol (psyllium husks) at bedtime with a cup of warm milk will also be beneficial.
REDUCE STRESS. Stress is often the cause of or a complicating factor in ulcers. To help dissolve stress, make yourself some Tranquillity Tea from these herbs:
jatamamsi
brahmi
shanka pushpi
Combine the herbs in equal proportions, and use about ½ teaspoon of the mixture steeped in 1 cup of boiling water to make a tea. Drink it about an hour before going to bed.
YOGA POSTURES. Yoga asanas can help you relax and relieve stress, which is
beneficial
for
ulcers. The following positions
are
particularly
recommended for helping with ulcers: Leg Lift, Camel, Cobra, Bow,
Bridge, and Spinal Twist. (See illustrations of yoga postures in appendix
BREATHE AWAY STRESS. Shitali pranayama, a breathing exercise that has a cooling, soothing effect, will be helpful. Moon breathing (breathing through the left nostril only) for 5 to 10 minutes has a cooling effect that may also be helpful. Breathing exercises are described in chapter 6.
EAT EARLY IN THE EVENING, AND EAT SMALL MEALS. Persons with ulcers should not eat late at night. They also do best if they eat small, frequent meals. Don’t keep the stomach empty for long. At least have breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so the acid secreted in the stomach can be utilized for digestion.
AN EFFECTIVE HERBAL ACID BLOCKER. Today many people use acid-blocking medications for ulcers. The best acid blocker in Ayurveda is a combination of the herbs
brahmi
jatamamsi
yashti madhu
in equal proportions. A tea made from ½ teaspoon of these herbs per cup of water, taken after lunch and dinner, can help to inhibit acid secretions and prevent ulceration.