Vishtabhdha ajirna – Vataja indigestion

Ayurveda for a healthy life- 59/2025  on 1.9.2025

Vishtabdha ajirna – indigestion caused by Vatahumour (dosha)

3. In this type, the indigestion is dominated by vata dosha. Bloating and gases are noticed

3A.   Symptoms : Constipation, Distension and pain in the abdomen, Headache

3B.   Causes : Eating in a hurry without chewing properly, constipation, stomach upset, indigestion, Excessive use of antibiotics and psychological tension causes gases in abdomen.

3C.   Treatment

1.    Induction of sweating : Steam-bath in a steam room is advised.

2.    Gentle massage of the abdomen with warm narayan oil.

3.    Fasting till the patient becomes hungry.

4.    Purgatives : A teaspoonful of powders of each of triphala, haritaki, sonamukhi and 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls of castor oil.

5.    Enema with til (sesame) oil.

6.    Oral medication

 A. 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoonful of hingashtak powder should be taken with buttermilk twice a day.

 B.  A decoction of nishottara, haritaki, ginger, asafoetida, saindhav and chitrakamula should be taken.

 C.  A mixture of powders of 1 part pippali, 4 parts of nishottara and 4 parts of khadisakhar (sugar cubes) should be taken with honey.

 D.  A mixture of powders of nirgundi, ajamoda (celery), chitrak, turmeric and ginger should be taken with buttermilk.

 E.  A decoction of dashamula should be taken with castor oil.

 F.  A decoction of indrayava, chitrak and ginger should be taken.

 G.  A mixture of powders of ginger, pepper, pippali, bidalavan, sauvarchala (blacksalt), cumin seeds, haritaki, patha, indrayava, chitrak and yavakshara should be taken with buttermilk. – Advised for Kashthhagat vata

H.  A decoction of chitrak, indrayava, katuka, haritaki, ativisha and patha should be taken.

 I.    One tablet of lashunadi vati should be taken twice a day.

 J.   Deepak pachak powder : A mixture of powders of ginger, long pepper, pippalimula, asafoetida, vacha, garlic, guduchi, devadaru, musta, chitrak, ajamoda, vidanga and ativisha should be taken with hot water.

K.  A mixture of powders of asafoetida, vacha, bidalavan, ginger, cumin seeds, haritaki, pushkaramula and kushtha should be taken with hot water.

L.   A decoction of vacha, haritaki, chitrakamula, yavakshara, pippali, ativisha and kushtha should be taken.

M.  A decoction of asafoetida, vacha, kushtha, sajjikshara and vidanga should be taken.

 N.    A mixture of powders of coriander, asafoetida, haritaki, pushkaramula, saindhav, bidalavan, kachalavan and yavakshara should be taken with hot water.

O.    A mixture of powders of saindhav and ajamoda (celery) should be taken with hot water.

 P.    Half teaspoonful of lavanabhaskara churna should be taken twice a day with hot water.

 Q.    A decoction of erandamula (roots of castor) should be taken.

R.    A decoction of asafoetida, ginger, cumin seeds, ajamoda, haritaki and ativisha should be taken.

S.    Eranda oil should be taken with juice of mahalunga.

T.     Fomentation of the abdomen with 60 mg. of hot agnitundi rasa rubbed around the umbilicus.

U.    Hot poultice of devadaru, vacha, kushtha, shatavari, asafoetida and saindhav triturated with lemon juice should be applied to the abdomen.

4.    Vidagdha ajirna (pittaja indigestion)

4A.   Main symptoms : Burning sensation in the stomach, loose and sour smelling stools

4B.   Causes : Eating hot, pungent, sour and salty food items in excess.

4C.   Treatment

1.    Induction of vomiting

 A.   A teaspoonful of madanaphala powder should be
consumed with warm salt water.

 B.   A teaspoonful of vacha powder should be consumed with a decoction of yashtimadhu (glycerrhiza).

2.    Langhan : Fasting till the patient feels hungry.

3.    Drinking fluids

 A.    Kokam sarbat

B.    Amalaki sarbat

C.   Coconut water

 D.   Cold water medicated with powders of musta, ginger, ushira and sandalwood.

  4.    Purgatives

A.    A teaspoonful of haritaki powder should be consumed with warm water.

B.    A teaspoonful of triphala powder should be consumed with warm water.

 C.   A teaspoonful of nishottara churna should be consumed with warm water.

D.   A teaspoonful of sonamukhi churna (powder of senna leaves) should be consumed with warm water.

    5.    Recipes to improve digestive power

 A.    A decoction of ginger, coriander, cumin seeds, nagakeshar and amalaki.

 B.    A decoction of guduchi, ginger, fennel seeds and musta.

 C.   A decoction of ginger, coriander, cumin seeds and cardamom.