Digestion is clearly one of the many important processes of our body and has much to do with what we eat. Digestion is basically important because of two reasons – firstly because metabolism is directly or indirectly affected by digestion, and secondly, because we have complete control over what we eat. Thus, according to Ayurveda, digestion basically revolves around what we eat, how we eat, and when we eat.
What is digestion from an Ayurvedic point of view?
As you probably know already, digestion is the process of breaking down food particles into a simpler, absorbable form. The process is followed by absorption of nutrients and elimination of waste from the body. Digestion takes place in the alimentary canal with aid from the liver, pancreas, and other small glands. According to Ayurveda, to achieve maximum absorption of nutrients, the food must be properly digested, and this only happens when your digestive system is working fine.
Importance of digestion
According to Ayurvedic science, the balance of doshas (problems associated with digestion) can only happen through a healthy ‘Agni’ (factors of digestion). The nutrients absorbed help in keeping the body tissues healthy. Also, healthy tissues are important for immunity and other bodily functions. In short, the quality of one’s life much depends on the quality of nutrients imbibed by the body or the overall digestive system. Digestion is thus important for the overall health and longevity of our lives.
Digestive issues from an Ayurvedicpoint of view
Whenever our digestive energy a.k.a. ‘Agni’ is working at its full potential, our body can digest all forms of food items and absorb nutrients. In fact, our eating habits, our current mental state (whether or not we are going through an emotional turmoil), and our metabolism, together have an impact on our digestive energy. That said, we should eat depending on our discomforts, diseases (if any), and our body type. If the food isn’t digested properly or if it remains in the system far too long without getting digested, it may lead to problems.
So, what happens when the food isn’t digested properly? Well, the undigested food gets accumulated in the alimentary canal, and leads to problems such as loss of appetite, nausea, constipation, bloating, belching, abdominal pain, flatulence, etc. Over time, these undigested food items start turning toxic and lead to problems. Improper digestion often leads to malnutrition, which in turn leads to anaemia, osteoporosis, thyroid issues, muscle cramps, myopia, and even infertility.
The uniqueness of Ayurvedic treatments
- It is known to offer one of the most effective treatments for curing digestive issues.
- Ayurvedic treatments are known to fix the root cause of most problems.
- Ayurvedic herbs do not have any side effects and thus, they do not irritate the digestive system – something that isn’t the same when it comes to modern medicine.
- It is an age-old form of science that improves the overall health and well-being of individuals.
- It brings about a change in one’s overall eating habits based on his or her body structure and diet. According to the Ayurvedic form of treatment, proper intake of food can at times act as medicine.
- It is a great way of managing stress and taking control of life.
How can Ayurveda help in managing digestive issues?
Ayurvedic science is a holistic study of health and well-being, and thus is particularly handy if you wish to address the root cause of your health worries. By getting in touch with a reliable and professional Ayurvedic practitioner, you can actually have more control over your eating habits, and find out how to handle your stress and lifestyle. Being a traditional form of science, Ayurveda tells us how the proper use of various spices and herbs can actually improve digestion. Ayurvedic detox can help in flushing out toxins from the body, thereby improving metabolism. In fact, specific herbs are used to balance doshas and manage the digestive tract. Ayurvedic massages, coupled with therapeutic body treatments improve the overall functioning of the body.