Stomach Ailments and Ayurveda Overview

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Ayurveda is a form of natural medicine that originated in ancient India more than 5,000 years ago. Ayurveda is an integrated system of techniques that uses diet, herbs, exercise, meditation, yoga, and massage or bodywork to achieve optimal health on all levels. A compound Ayurvedic preparation with Aegle marmelos correa and Bacopa monniere Linn is a traditional herbal preparation used for digestive disturbances and diarrhea. There is evidence from one study suggesting that this combination may have short-term benefits for patients with IBS, especially those with diarrhea. However, benefits may not be maintained in the long term. More studies are needed to evaluate this treatment.

There is preliminary evidence that the herb amalaki (Emblica officinalis / Phyllanthus emblica), a fruit used in a variety of Ayurvedic remedies including the popular general tonic Chyavanaprash, may reduce symptoms of gastritis and dyspepsia (upset stomach). There is also evidence that the Ayurvedic herb Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari) may reduce gastric emptying time at a rate comparable to that of the drug metoclopramide, which is commonly used for dyspepsia. Some of this research has been with healthy subjects however, and further clinical trials are needed using the above remedies to evaluate their efficacy.

Ayurvedic herbs should be used cautiously because they are potent and some constituents can be potentially toxic if taken in large amounts or for a long time. Some herbs imported from India have been reported to contain high levels of toxic metals. Ayurvedic herbs can interact with other herbs, foods, or drugs. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before taking. Use guggul cautiously with peptic ulcer disease. Avoid sour food, alcohol, and heavy exercise with guggul. Mahayograj guggul should not be taken for long periods of time. Pippali (Piper longum) should be taken with milk and avoided with asthma. Avoid sweet flag and amlaki (Emblica officinalis) at bedtime. Avoid Terminalia hebula (harda) if pregnant. Avoid Ayurveda with traumatic injuries, acute pain, advanced disease stages, and medical conditions that require surgery.

Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri): Bacopa monnieri leaf extract is called brahmi in Ayurvedic medicine. It is widely used in India, especially for enhancing memory, pain relief, and epilepsy. Preliminary evidence suggests that bacopa and bael fruit used in combination may treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, additional studies using bacopa alone are needed before bacopa can be recommended for IBS. Avoid if allergic/hypersensitive to Bacopa monnieri, its constituents, or any member of the Srcophulariaceae (figwort) family. Use cautiously with drugs or herbs that are broken down by the liver, thyroid drugs, calcium blocking drugs, or sedatives. Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.

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