Amlapitta (Acidity)

Amlapitta is a very common lifestyle disease in the present era. It is a very troublesome disease and can give rise to many serious problems if not treated on time. Signs and symptoms of Amla Pitta are very similar to gastritis or hyperacidity. According to conventional medical science the most common cause of gastritis is H.Pylori infections and prolonged use of non- steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)

Amla Pitta is Pitta predominant disease which comes under the Annavaha Srotas and Purishavaha Srotas due to ama and manda agni. Hence, there is a need to understand the concepts and first line of treatment.

Amlapitta consists of two words- Amla and Pitta, The pitta which attains amla guna and vitiates is called amla pitta.

“Amla pittam ceti amlagunoundriktam pittam”  Ref. Chakradatta

Udrikta stands for increase or excessive, which means there is quantitative increase in Pitta which leads to amla guna.

According to Sushruta, katu rasa is the original rasa of Pitta and when Pitta becomes Vidagdha it changes into Amla rasa.

Vitiation of Agni in the amashaya(stomach) region causes amlapitta. Some of the common Pitta vitiating factors, fasting, eating between meals, worry, hurry, anger, grief, envy, greed, chemotherapy, spicy food, fermented foods, Viruddha Ahara, Dushta ahara, amla ahara, Excessive salt, Pitta prakopa panama and annam- All these factors deranged the pachaka Pitta and as a result Pachaka Pitta Vitiates. Thus the developed condition is called Amla Pitta.

Hydrochloric acid when not utilised well, or produced in larger quantities in the amashaya causes inflammation, that is called gastritis. The increased or normal level of HCL can destroy the soft tissue(epithelium) lining of oesophagus, stomach and duodenum etc. If not managed on time, it can lead to ulceration.

There is a valve (Lower esophageal sphincter) at the end of the food pipe where it meets with the stomach. In normal conditions this valve allows one way movement of the food from the oesophagus into the stomach and prevents it from moving back into the food pipe. When food reaches, it opens and allows the food to pass into the stomach and later closes to avoid the backflow of food and acidic contents of the stomach into the food pipe.

Nidana/Hetu

Ahara

• Virudha Ahara and Dushta Ahara

• Excessive Amla Ahara and Vidahi food( which aggravates Pitta)

• Excessive Salt(lavana)

Vihara

• Day sleep

• Holding natural urges

• Excessive bathing and Hot shower

Manas

• Anger

• Grief

• Envy

• Greed

Others

1. Anti- inflammatory and anti anxiety medicine

2. Smoking

3. Alcohol

4. Chemotherapy

   Samprapti

   Due to the etiological factors, Vatadi Doshas get aggravated which leads to the imbalance of Agni. In such a state when an unaware individual eats and drinks beyond his agni’s capacity, that food tends to get fermented in the stomach and the undigested food remains in the amasaya. This vitiates the Pitta creating the disease amlapitta. In this disease the drava guna of Pitta is increased.

   Signs and Symptoms

   These can be classified under 3 groups-

   1. Samanya Lakshanas (common symptoms)

   2. Bhedanusara lakshanas (Acc to Types of Amlapitta)

   3. Doshanubandhansara Lakshanas (Acc to association of doshas)

   1. Samanya Lakshana

   • Indigestion (Avipaka)

   • Exhaustion with physical activity (Klama)

   • Excessive Salivation

   • Bitter and Sour belching

   • Heaviness of the body

   • Burning sensation in the chest and throat

   • Tastelessness

   2. Symptoms according to types of amlapitta

   Adhogata Amlapitta- manifestation happens in downward direction

   Lakshanas

   • Thirst

   • Burning sensation

   • Fainting

   • Giddiness

   • Delusion

   • Diarrhoea of different types

   • Poor digestion

   • Perspiration and yellowness of skin

   Urdhwagata Amlapitta- manifestation happens in upwards direction.

   Lakshanas

   • Emesis with bitter taste, yellow-green- blue or black color.

   • Vomiting

   • Very sticky thin vomitus followed by Kapha

   • Belching

   • Vomitus occur during digestion of food or even on empty stomach

   • Burning sensation in the chest, throat, palms and soles

   • Fever of Kaphaja Pittaja type

   • Rashes

   • Circular, itching, lesions studded with numerous small vesicles on the skin.

   3. Symptoms according to dosha type

        Vata predominant

   • Tremors

   • Irrelevant speech

   • Confusion

   • Dizziness

   • Tingling sensation

   • Colic pain

   • Darkness in front of the eyes

   
   Pitta predominant

   • Heaviness and weakness at same time.

   • Coldness and burning in the stomach

   • Frequent vomiting

   • Coated tongue

   • Skin rashes

   
   Kapha predominant

   • Nausea

   • Vomiting

   • Heaviness in the body

   • Excessive salivation

   • Fatigue

   • Tastelessness

   • Cold feeling

   • Coating and sticky oral cavity

   • Itching sensation

   • Sleepiness

   Line of treatment

   1. Nidana parivarjana (removing the causative factors)

      Food articles which play an important role in the production of Amla pitta and wrong dietary habits such as adhyasana must be avoided.

   2. Samshodhana Chikitsa

      It includes Vamana to pacify Kapha. After this mridu virechana(mild laxative) is given to control Pitta dosha. Vasti can be given in case of Vata predominant Amla Pitta.

      Emesis Herbs: 

      1. Patola, Neem, Vasa, Madana, Rocksalt, Honey

      2. Trivrit, Honey, Amalaki

      3. Samshamana Chikitsa

      It includes Pathaya Ahara and Aushadhi.

      Ahara- In this disease tikta diet is helpful. Barley, wheat and Sattu are helpful. Rice should be taken in less quantity. Beans are contraindicated. Patola and Karela are useful vegetables. Ripe bananas and coconut water are also very much helpful. Milk is the best diet for this disease.

      Dry ginger is okay because of its sweet vipaka.

      *Milk+Cane Sugar- pacify for short term but not for the long time

      Apathya

      Recently harvested rice, incompatible diets, sesame seeds, garlic, sparkling water, pungent, salty and sour food ( Lemon, Gooseberry, Amalaki, Pomegranate are sour food can be eaten- post digestive effect), junk food and alcohol (is like throwing fuel on the Pitta fire).

      
      Herbs

      Coriander, guluchi, Cardamom, Ginger, Shatavari, Amalaki, Neem, katuki, Patola, Licorice, Padmaka, Red Sandalwood

      
      Formulations

      • Guluchyadi kashayam (PK)

      • Drakshadi Kashayam (PV)

      • Shankha Bhasma (P)

      • Avipathi Churnam (P)

      • Shatavari Gulam  (VP)

      • Triphala Churna (PK)

      • Indukantham Ghritham (V)

      • Thikthakam Ghritham (P)

      • Triphala Ghritam (KP)

      Lifestyle

      • Quit smoking

      • Get enough sleep

      • Regular exercise

      • Avoid tension and stressful situations

      • Pitta balancing lifestyles

      • Sheetali pranayama and Chandra anuloma and Viloma

      • Less exposure to Sun and Fire.

      Yoga

      • Vajrasana

      • Ardha Matsyendrasana

      • Paschimottanasana

      • Supta Baddha Konasana

      • Marjaryasana

      • Bhujangasana

      • Savasana

      Disclaimer: The sole purpose of this blog is to provide information about the tradition of Ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease.  If you want to use any of your health concerns, seek a qualified practitioner. It is always suggested to check with your doctor before taking any herbs. All ayurvedic treatments are customised with detailed consultation and based on individual