Ayurveda has much to offer for treating peptic ulcer.

Ayurvedic term for peptic ulcer, “Parinam

shool”, is a disorder caused by the Agni bhootha.

Symptoms of Peptic Ulcer

• Abdominal pain
• Heart burn
• Nausea

Causes of Peptic Ulcer

The main cause of the peptic ulcer is hyperacidity, a condition of excess digestive acid in the
stomach. Improper life style and diet is another reason. The conditions which prop up increase in
hydrochloric acid secretion cause peptic ulcer

Factors that Cause Hyperacidity

• Intake of spicy and hot foods

• Fasting
• Irregular eating
• Alcohol consumption
• Stress and anxiety
• Smoking
• Excessive use of pain killers like aspirin, ibuprofen etc
• Excessive intake of tea and coffee

Treatment for Peptic Ulcer

Ayurvedic treatment for peptic ulcer is aimed at two things, 1) to reduce the quantity of digestive
fluids produced in the stomach 2) To neutralise the digestive acids
Here are some Ayurvedic and herbal remedies for peptic ulcer:

Home Remedies

• Eat more banana and plantain

• Drink cold milk
• Drink more water
• Drink juices of raw vegetables like cabbage
• Take small meals frequently (do not overeat)
• Take barley, papal, paraval prepared with honey
 Ayurvedic Remedies

• Sukhumara Ghrita is widely prescribed for peptic ulcer

• Snehapanam, a medicated ghee, is a treatment used for Peptic Ulcer
• Take Avipatrika Churna regularly
• Amalpitanthak Loh, Leela Vilas ras and Chanderkala Ras are good medicines for peptic
ulcer

Life style and Diet

• Do not drink alcohol, tea, coffe, cola or smoke, instead, take barley water regularly
• Do not use aspirin and other pain killers
• Eat food timely
• Relax yourselves
• Avoid spicy, hot and fried foods
• Avoid garlic, yogurt, ginger etc
• Avoid baked food, breads, cakes etc
• Avoid pickles and hot sausages

Ayurvedic Treatment Of The Duodenal Ulcer

Posted by Nick on 28 March, 2009

This post was filed in Ayurvedic Treatment and has

People having too much of tension, worry and anxiety have been found to suffer from duodenal

ulcer.

In Ayurveda, the condition — duodenal ulcer – is referred to as Grahani. People having the Vatika

type of physical composition are prone to suffer from duodenal ulcer. Even those having the psychic

temperament can suffer from this condition. Duodenal ulcer affects the duodenum.

Mentionably, a person with a strong mind and determination can cure this disease even without any

treatment. The ailment automatically subsides.

However, it may again recur during a psychic strain or stress. It may recur even if there is a

disturbance in the intake of food.

THE DUODENUM

The duodenum plays a pivotal role in the digestive process. The duodenum is a horseshoe-shaped

section surrounding a part of the pancreas and the pancreatic duct. It also envelops the ducts from

the liver and gall bladder that open into it. Two ducts are connected to the duodenum. One duct

excretes pancreatic juice into the duodenum; the other secretes bile.

The topmost portion of the duodenum is connected to the lowest end of the stomach. The

duodenum is about 20 cm in length.

THE DUODENUM & THE SMALL INTESTINE

The middle part of the small intestine, extending from the duodenum to the ileum, is called the

jejunum, and the terminal portion is the ileum, which leads into the side of the first part of the

large intestine, known as the cecum.

The lining membrane, or mucosa, of the small intestine is especially suited for the purpose of

digestion and absorption. The mucosa is folded; the folds are covered with minute mucosal

projections called villi.

Each villus is a small tube of epithelium surrounding a small lymphatic vessel, or lacteal, and many

capillaries. Tiny glandular pits, called the crypts of Lieberkühn, open at the bases of the villi. These

pits secrete the enzymes necessary for intestinal digestion.

THE DIGESTIVE PROCESS

Digested carbohydrates and proteins pass into the capillaries of the villi and then to the portal vein,

which enters the liver; digested fats are absorbed into the lacteals in the villi, and they are

transported through the lymphatic system into the general bloodstream. The lining of the small

intestine also secretes a hormone called secretin, which stimulates the pancreas to produce

digestive enzymes.

CAUSES OF DUODENAL ULCER &COLIC PAIN

During this process, the patient suffering from duodenal ulcer at times experiences pain in the

abdomen. This colic pain is termed as Parinama shula. It takes place due to the predominance of

Vayu. Colic pain results after the formation of duodenal ulcer.

More often than not, colic pain takes place when one is hungry. It, however, subsides after one

takes food. There may be exceptions, though.

SYMPTOMS OF DUODENAL ULCER

Chronic colic pain arising due to duodenal ulcer causes the patient starts to lose weight. This

happens because the body fails to absorb the food consumed. The digestive system fails to function

to its optimum capacity.

The patient becomes too sensitive and irritable due to his/her weak constitution.

Sometimes, the ulcers start bleeding as well.

The blood appears back in colour as it has to come out through non-functioning intestines.

The stool may also appear black due to this bleeding process.

The patient may vomit during this condition. On rare occasions blood may accompany the purged

mucous substances.

CURE CONSTIPATION FOR SPEEDY RECOVERY

Constipation accelerates and aggravates the wind formation process inside the tummy in particular

and the abdomen in general. This condition, in turn, precipitates the attack of pain.

The patient should be tendered laxative to cure constipation. Two very effective laxatives are the

husk of Isahagol and castor oil. Either of these medications should be given to the patient at

bedtime.

DIETARY REGIMEN

The patient should regularly have pomegranate, amalaki, wheat, old (the one preserved for at least

one year) rice, ghee and cheese prepared from cow’s milk, and skimmed milk.

WHAT NOT TO EAT

Don’t consume pulses;

Fried food items are also prohibited;

Similarly stay away from sour and hot items like curd, chillies, and spices.

All in all, avoid all food items that promote roughness and dryness in the physique.

OTHER IMPORTANT POINTS

The patient should have sound sleep at nights;

The patient must have sufficient rest;

The patient must not be allowed to tolerate any tension, worry or mental strain and stress.

Such persons should not observe fasts;

Nor should a patient remain on an empty tummy for long.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS

Ayurveda prescribed medications prepared from pure ghee (prepared from only cow’s milk) for

patients suffering from chronic colic pain arising due to duodenal ulcer. In fact, these medications

work for both the aforementioned conditions.

COMMON DELUSION

One should not be under the delusion that disappearance of the colic pain connotes cure of

duodenal ulcer or colic pain.

Both can return with a vengeance!

ADOPT A COUNTER-OFFENSIVE POSTURE

Hence, it is always advisable to adopt a counter-offensive posture. The strategy is to strike at the

very root of both the ailments. This can be possible only when the patient continues the medicines

(prepared from the medicated ghee). These medicines need to be consumed over a sufficiently long

time to enjoy permanent respite from the ailment.

THE 2-FOLD MEDICINAL STRATEGY

The medicines work in a two-fold strategy:

First, they cure the symptoms;

Finally these medicines prepare a shield against these diseases.

AYURVEDIC MEDICATIONS

These five Ayurvedic medicines are Shatavari ghritta, Amalaki ghrita, Shankha bhasma, Mahashankha

vati and Sukumara ghrita.

MAHASHANKHA GHRITA & SUKUMARA GHRITA

Medicated ghee is the primary ingredient of the first two mentioned medications, viz., Shatavari

ghritta and Amalaki ghrita. The others also have a considerable portion of the medicated ghee; but

they also require considerable ratios of other ingredients.

SHANKHA BHASMA

Shankha bhasma is prescribed against colic pain.

The dose: Give the patient half a teaspoonful of this powder thrice daily. He/she should follow it up

with a cup of hot water.

MAHASHANKHA VATI
Mahashankha ghritta is recommended for patients suffering from acute colic pain. As the

terminology ‘Vati’ implies, this medication is available in the tablet (pill) form across the Ayurvedic

counters. It is an intense form of Shankha bhasma.

The dose: Two tablets thrice daily. The dose can be increased to four times if the intensity and

frequency of colic pain is intense and frequent respectively.

Mentionably, the patient should drink a cup of warm water immediately after taking this tablet.

Uses: It cuts down on the colic pain intensity and boosts digestion.

SUKUMARA GHRITA

Sukumara ghrita is the commonly prescribed medicine by the Ayurvedic practitioners. The major

ingredients of Sukumara ghrita is castor oil and pure ghee (prepared from only cow’s milk).

The dose: Two teaspoonfuls mixed with a cup of warm milk. The medications should be taken on an

empty tummy.

Alternative: If the patient cannot have milk, then it can be mixed with a cup of warm water as

well.

Note: In case, the symptoms subsist the dose should be increased, but gradually.

Caution Note: If the digestion process fails to respond adequately, it is due to the ghee component.

Then, decrease the dose.

However, the digestive capacity of the patient does increase considerably within three-four days of

taking the medicine.

In such cases, the person is able to consume additional amount of ghee as well. In such instances,

increase the dose by half a teaspoonful daily.

Mentionably, the patient will not experience any discomfort or inconvenience till the dosage is

increased to six teaspoonfuls of ghee.

Nonetheless, in such increased dosage the patient may at times feel laziness. It happens due to

headache and drowsiness.