Ayurvedic Treatments for Gas

The Ayurvedic term for gas problem is Adhmana. Among Ayurvedic cures for gas, Hingavastaka is an important medicine to treat the problem. According to Ayurvedic view, an aggravation or vitiation of the vata dosha or the air body humor is believed to be belching or bloating. There are various Ayurvedic cures for relief from gas trouble, some of which are discussed in this article.
There are various causes for gas troubles. Some foods like legumes, roots vegetables like potatoes and turnips and other vegetables like radish, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber and asparagus etc can cause gas problems. Carbonated beverages also cause gas problems. Ayurveda also prohibits drinking cold drinks with meals and eating ice cold foods.

Ayurvedic Cure for Gas
Following are some of the ways to cure gas troubles:

• Pound dried ginger, ajwain, and black salt and make a mixture taking equal parts of each. Take 1 gm twice with warm water after meals.
• Take few garlic cloves with warm water on an empty stomach.
• Sprinkle 2 to 3 drops of lemon juice on a piece of black salt and ginger. Take it with meals for a few days.
• External application of hing on the umbilicus in case of abdominal discomfort for infants and children provides relief.
• If there is an extreme production and expulsion of foul smelling gas, take fresh 5 or 6 peppercorns and grind them finely with water and few drops of fresh lemon. Drink this mixture in the early morning on an empty stomach.
• Take radish with leaves and grate them. Take approx. 30 ml once or twice.
• Pound a piece of cinnamon and boil in a glass of water. Take this drink lukewarm at least half an hour before meals.
• Hot fomentation of stomach is recommended.
• Pound 1 to 2 gm of hing and mix in warm water, take approx 20 ml twice a day.

Ayurvedic Herbs for Gas Trouble

• Asparagus (Asparagus racemosa)
• Bitter Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
• Cardamom (Elattaria cardamomum)
• Ginger (Zinziber officinale)
• Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis)
• Rhubarb (Rheum emodi)
• Sandalwood (Santalum album)

Some other Ayurvedic medicines to cure gas troubles:

• Tripahala or Amalaki choorna – 3 gms should be taken thrice a day.
• Avipattikara choorna – 2 tsp at bedtime should be taken.
• Hingvastaka Choorna: This can be taken in a dose of 1 teaspoon twice daily with hot water.
• Kumari Asava: It is a liquid, which can be taken by adding equal amounts of lukewarm water twice daily.
• Cardamom – This is a very effective remedy for gas. All you have to do is to take five grams of this powder with water. You can take 5 gm of asafoetida with black salt, dry ginger. Take them and make a fine powder of all these products. You can store it in a clean bottle and then take half teaspoon of this powder with lukewarm water for at least 2 or 3 times a day.

Other Medicines for Gas
Here is a list of other ayurvedic medicines for gas:

• Chandrakala rasa
• Sootashekhara rasa
• Sukumara ghrita
• Amalapittantaka rasa
• Dhaatri loha

Do’s and Don’ts
Here are some of the things that you must or must not do when you are suffering from gas:

• Avoid the intake of potatoes, beans, sweets, Dal and onions in excess.
• Eat less than your appetite demands.
• Avoid smoking.
• Limit the intake of cold drinks and tea.
• Limit the intake of milk and sweets as well.
• Eat slowly and concentrate on the food that you eat.
• Do not think while eating as it avoids you from swallowing of air.

Characteristic Symptoms of Gas

• Belching, bloating or flatus
• In some cases, you may have severe abdominal pain
• Expulsion of wind which may have offensive odor

This was all about ayurvedic treatment for gas. Now, that you know gas treatment, the next time you suffer from gas problem, follow the above remedies for a healthy and gas free digestive system.