Ayurvedic treatment for Amlapitta has provided deep insights into the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Amlapitta. Acharya Kashyapa was the first to give a detailed treatment protocol for this disorder, while Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Vagbhata contain scattered references regarding Amlapitta.
In Ayurvedic treatment Amlapitta is a disorder of the gastrointestinal tract (Annavaha Strotas) and can be correlated with modern-day Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). The prevalence of GERD has increased significantly in recent years due to unhealthy food habits, irregular lifestyle patterns, and high-stress levels. Amlapitta is observed across all age groups, including children, adults, and the older people as well.
What is Amlapitta
According to Ayurveda, Amlapitta occurs when there is an imbalance in Pitta dosha, leading to an increase in its Amla (sour) quality. In its natural state, Pitta dosha has a pungent (Katu) taste, but when associated with Ama (toxins), it turns sour, leading to Amlapitta.
Acharya Kashyapa explains that when improperly digested food (Vidagdha Ahara) becomes sour and remains in the stomach, it vitiates Pitta dosha and leads to a sluggish digestive fire (Mandaagni). This conversion of pungent taste into sour taste results in Amlapitta (Ka.Kil. 16/9).
Amlapitta is a slow-progressing disease, often classified as Kashtasadhya, meaning it is curable however it requires time and efforts.
Amlapitta from Ayurvedic treatment perpective
Due to various causative factors, there is a vitiation of all three Doshas in the body, with a predominant aggravation of Pitta Dosha. This aggravated Pitta weakens the digestive fire (Agni), leading to improper digestion. As a result, due to continued exposure to the causative factors, Pitta becomes Vidagdh (further aggravated and vitiated), ultimately resulting in Amlapitta (hyperacidity).
Acharya Kashyapa explains this phenomenon beautifully through an analogy. If a bowl containing curd is not washed properly and fresh milk is poured into it, the milk also turns into curd. Similarly, the accumulated toxins and aggravated Pitta in the stomach convert fresh and light food into Vidagdhta (fermentation and indigestion), continuing the cycle. This repetitive process makes Amlapitta a Kashtasadhya (difficult-to-treat) disease.
Types of Amlapitta in Ayurvedic treatment
In Ayurvedic treatment Amlapitta is categorized based on the movement of Pitta (acid) and dosha involvement.
Based of Dosha gati ( Direction of Acid Movement):
Urdhwaga Amlapitta (Upward flow): Acid (Pitta) regurgitates upwards, causing belching, vomiting, and heartburn.
Adhoga Amlapitta (Downward flow): When acid moves downward, leading to diarrhea, burning sensations, and abdominal discomfort.
2.Based on Dosha Involvement
Vata-Adhika Amlapitta: Pitta imbalance combined with increased Vata dosha.
Kapha-Adhika Amlapitta: In this type there is imbalance of pitta along with increased Kapha dosha.
Vata-Kapha Adhika Amlapitta: A combination of all three doshas.
Symptoms Of Amlapitta
Symptoms of Urdhwaga Amlapitta
Vomiting (with green, yellow, blue, or reddish color)
Sour belching (Amla Udgara)
Heartburn (Urodaha)
Chest pain (Hrid Shool)
Headache (Shirashool)
Burning sensation in hands and feet
Feverish feeling
Body itching
Symptoms of Adhoga Amlapitta
Thirst and burning sensation
Giddiness
Rashes on the skin
Loss of appetite
Loose stools (green, yellow, black, or reddish in color)
No weakness despite frequent loose stools
Symptoms of Vata related amlapitta
In this type of Amlapitta there are symptoms
Tremors (Kamp) , delirium ( pralap), fainting ( murcha), tingling ( chimchimayan), weakness in body ( Anng shathilya) , abdominal pain ( Udarshool) and tamo drashnam ( feeling of darkness in front of eyes)
Kapha related amlapitta
When Kapha is associated with amlapitta then there is symptoms of Cough, heaviness in body ( anggaurav), lethargness(nishkriyata), anorexia( aruchi), increased salivation ( kaphastivan),coldness( shaitya), itching, and sleepyness.
Vata Kapha related amlapitta
In this type there are mix symptoms of above two types.
General Symptoms Of Amlapitta
- The general symptoms seen in Amlpitta are
- Indigestion
- Nausea
- Sour and bitter burping
- Heartburn
- Burning in throat
- Anorexia
- Abdomen fullness
- Pain in abdomen
- Headache
- Bloating
- Get goose bumps in body .
Causes Of Amlapitta
The causes for amlpitta or digestive system is broadly classifies into 4 types
- Ahaaraj: Food habit and diet related
- Vihharj : Causes related to lifestyle
- Manas : Phycological factors that leads to Amlapitta
- Aagantuj : External reasons such as season, demography, body constitution
Ahaaraj ( Dietary Factors)
- Ati matra bhojana: Over Eating or eating without beign hungry.
- Akale bhojana: Irregular eating pattern .
- Akale Anshaan : Skipping meals when hungry or when it is right time to eat
- Ahita bhojana: Intake of food which is harmful for health
- Garisth Ahaar sevan : Eating food which are heavy to digest.
- Abhiyeshaandi Ahaar : Food that obstruct the flow of bodily fluid. They are slimy and heavy in nature.
- Ajeerna bojana : Eating even when earlier food in not digested.
- Snigdha Ahar sevan : Excessively oily and spicy food.
- Ati Ruksha : Eating stale and refrigerated food.
- Ushana Ahar sevan : Tea, coffee and high caffiene drinks
- Madhya Sevan : Excessive intake of Alcohol
- Atidrav : Drinking to much of fluids, including water
Vihaaraj ( lifestyle Factors)
- Vegavidharan : Holding Natural Urges. This is a very important cause for creating the dosha imbalance. In today’s time this has become very common to hold natural urges like urination, sneezing, yawning and others. This is because of work pressure, busy in meetings, travelling etc.
- Bhukta Diva Swapna : Sleeping during day time especially after taking meals. This also apply to sleeping immediately after dinner.
- Shayyaprajagaraihi : Improper sleeping schedule.
- Ati avagahnat : Excessive swimming and living in a coastal region.
Manas ( Phycological Factors)
Chinta : Excessive stress
Shok : Grief
Bhay : Fear
Krodh : Excessive anger
Moha : Emotional attachment
External Factors
Ritu (Season) : In autumn season there is aggravation of pitta naturally therefore people are more likely to have symptoms of amlapitta in this season.
Prakriti ( Body constitution) : Anyone having pitta prakriti is more prone to have amlapitta.
Demography ( Area of living) : It is said in ayurveda that people living is coastal area (anoop desh) are more prone to have problem of amlapitta.
Complications
If untreated, Amlapitta can lead to:
Chronic acidity and GERD
Peptic ulcers
Nutritional deficiencies
Increased risk of Barrett’s esophagus
Psychological stress due to discomfort
What is Ayurvedic treatment for Amlapitta
Amlapitta is primarily a disorder of the stomach (Amashaya Udbhav) and requires a multi-dimensional treatment approach involving detoxification, herbal medicine, and lifestyle modifications.
1. Detoxification ( Panchkarma)
Vamana (Therapeutic Emesis): Recommended for Urdhwaga Amlapitta.
Virechana (Therapeutic Purgation): Recommended for Adhoga Amlapitta.
Mild Laxatives: Post-detoxification, herbs like Triphala, Haritaki, and Nishoth can be administered.
Diet And Lifestyle Recommendations
- Light and easy-to-digest foods.
- Increase intake of naturally sweet foods.
Consume wheat, moong dal, old rice, honey, coconut, and milk.
Maintain regular meal timings.
Stay hydrated with lukewarm water.
Dont’s
Avoid spicy, oily, and fermented foods.
Reduce tea, coffee, and alcohol intake.
Do not sleep immediately after eating.
Avoid stress and excessive physical exertion.
Herbs for Amlapitta treatment
Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia): Balances Pitta and enhances digestion.
Neem (Azadirachta indica): Reduces acidity and inflammation.
Chirayata (Swertia chirata): Detoxifies the body and improves metabolism.
Herbal Remedies for Dosha Balancing
Gudadi Modak :
Take 100 gms of old jaggery then add pippali ( Piper longum) churna and Harad ( terminalia chebula) churna to it. Mix them all and make small pills . Consume this pills help to overcome mandagni ( slow digestive fire).
Madhu Pilpalyadi Yog :
Take 2 to 3 gms of pippali ( piper longum) churna mix 1 teaspoon of honey ( madhu) in it and mix it. Licking this paste two times daily relieves amlapitta. Also drinking lemon water daily evening is also very helpful for amlapitta treatment.
Guduchayadi Kwath :
Take giloy (tinospora cardifolia), chitrak( plumbago zynelica), neem ( Azadiracta indica), Patol patra (),all ingredients in equal quantity. Now add 4 cup of water to it. Boil this till it remains 2 cup. Let this cool then add 1 teaspoon of honey to it. This is known as Guduchyadi kwath and is very beneficial in management of Amlapitta.
Conclusion
Amlapitta (GERD) is a growing concern in today’s world, but Ayurveda offers a comprehensive and holistic approach to managing this disorder. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and treatment strategies, one can effectively control and prevent Amlapitta through detoxification, herbal remedies, and lifestyle modifications. Ayurveda emphasizes that true healing lies in balance—of diet, lifestyle, and emotions—ensuring long-term wellness and digestive health.
