Festivals often bring joy, celebration, and delicious food but can also lead to overindulgence. After a season of rich foods and late-night feasts, many people experience bloating, acidity, constipation, and other digestive issues. We tap an expert who shares how Ayurveda—the ancient Indian medicine system—offers effective strategies to detoxify the body and alleviate indigestion, helping to restore balance to the digestive system.
Understanding Overeating
We enjoy heavy meals laden with sweets, fried snacks, and rich gravies during festivals. This indulgence often disrupts our normal routines and dietary habits, leading to imbalances in our doshas. According to Dr Ritesh A Shukla, Medical Adviser at Charak Pharma, common post-festival digestive imbalances include:
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Acidity: The intake of spicy, fried, or heavy foods can aggravate Pitta dosha, leading to heartburn and acidity.
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Bloating and Indigestion: Overeating and consuming incompatible food combinations can increase Kapha dosha, resulting in bloating, indigestion, and heaviness in the stomach.
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Constipation: Irregular eating patterns and a lack of fibre (often due to refined flour or maida) can disturb Vata dosha and cause constipation.
He says recognising these signs is crucial for initiating appropriate detoxification measures.
Ayurvedic Practices for Detoxification
Dr Shukla recommends starting your day with warm, nourishing meals and sipping on herbal teas to ease digestion. It is essential to eat slowly, listen to hunger cues, focus on fruits and whole grains, and stay active with light exercises to support digestion. Sticking to regular meal times and hydrating with warm water are also important steps.
Natural Solutions for Acid Relief
- Herbal teas like fennel tea, liquorice tea, and chamomile tea can reduce symptoms of acid reflux or nausea.
- Amla chutney with jaggery, fresh amla juice with honey, and amla murabba can help reduce acidity and heartburn.
- Gulkand with milk, mishri, and raisins in the daily diet is an excellent remedy to alleviate acidity.
Natural Remedies for Bloating and Indigestion
- Consuming ginger with a pinch of salt before meals boosts digestion, eases bloating, and helps reduce nausea.
- Chewing and swallowing a teaspoon of fennel seeds can relieve mild to severe indigestion after meals.
- Chewing 5-10 ajwain seeds with a pinch of rock salt followed by drinking water can alleviate indigestion.
Effective Remedies for Constipation Relief
- Mixing one or two teaspoons of cow ghee into warm milk before bedtime can effectively relieve constipation.
- Soaking a handful of raisins in water overnight and consuming them in the morning is another effective remedy for constipation.
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Castor oil serves as a natural laxative, stimulating intestinal function. Consuming 1 teaspoon before bedtime promotes regular bowel movements.
- Combining 1 teaspoon of haritaki and 1 teaspoon of cow ghee in half a cup of hot milk, blending, cooling, and adding honey before bedtime can facilitate easy bowel movements.
Ayurveda offers a holistic approach to post-festival detoxification. By tuning into your body and getting used to these practices, you can restore balance and enjoy lasting digestive comfort and well-being. As Dr Shukla says: "Embrace the principles of Ayurveda and make conscious choices to enhance your digestion and support your detox journey."
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