Gut Health: An Ayurvedic Guide For A Happy & Healthy Gut

According to the Ayurvedic wellness system, the gut is considered to be a gateway to your overall health. It's also where 80% of your immune system lives and fosters – not only does it help protect against disease and illness, but it also plays an essential role in regulating your moods.

In today's world, many things can throw our guts out of whack; whether it be too much processed food or stress from work or family life, everyone needs some guidance on how they can improve their digestive systems.

Gut Health: The Ayurvedic Perspective

According to Ayurvedic philosophy, all movements, and functions in the body are interconnected. Every disease results from some kind of imbalance in the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. They regulate vital gut functions like digestion, nutrient absorption, synthesis, metabolism, waste excretion, etc. 

The primary location of Vata is the colon, where most of the gut bacteria exist. The balance among these doshas is mainly responsible for an individual's health status.

Each dosha has its own set of characteristics:

• Vata: Characterized by speed, dryness/coldness & airy qualities
• Pitta: Characterized by heat & lightness
• Kapha: Characterized by heaviness & moistness

How Ayurveda Helps Regulate Gut Health

It's now commonly accepted that the gut is a "second brain" and can have an impact on our moods, health, and even how we think. How can we tap into the wisdom of this organ?

Ayurveda is the practice of getting in touch with the wisdom or intelligence inside your body, which is nourished by food and other restorative practices. Choices that nurture your gut are interwoven deeply into who you are.

When your gut is alert, you naturally gravitate toward choices that make you feel good. This leads to a happier life. Here are three simple tips from Ayurveda, an ancient Indian wellness tradition, to help awaken the intelligence of the gut:

1. Let Your Dosha Define Your Eating Pattern

Everyone has three energetic forces, called doshas, that determine their body type. The doshas are: 

1. Pitta - the force of digestion

2. Vata - the force of movement

3. Kapha - the energy of lubrication

When these doshas are out of balance, it can wreak havoc on your health and wellness. Read more about your Ayurvedic body type here! 

Knowing your dosha can help you start making decisions that will lead to a healthier gut because each dosha responds differently to wellness practices.

2. Consume Fresh and Local Food

When you eat fresh, locally sourced, sustainably grown food cooked with mindfulness, your belly will be nourished and satisfied. Processed foods that are neither nutritional nor fresh are not good for your stomach or your happiness level. A dip will undoubtedly follow the momentary high. When processed meals deteriorate over time, they may even contribute to feelings of depression, which Ayurveda defines as a state that happens when your energy level is reduced.

3. Eat with Awareness and Presence

Skip the distractions, like TV and technology, when you eat. Focus your attention on your food.

Many of us pray before eating, a tradition that goes back to our ancient roots. The prayers we say over our meals traditionally include prayers for all who played a role in growing or preparing the food—farmers, vendors, as well as cooks. Praying before meals is a great way to focus on what you eat. 

Ayurvedic Herbs for Gut Health

When it comes to your gut health, it's vital to nourish your body and mind with healthy foods. Improving gut health will have a positive impact on your physical and mental well-being. Here are some Ayurvedic herbs for gut health:

Black Pepper

Black pepper contains the compound piperine, which makes digestion easier. It also increases the production of enzymes in our stomach that helps break down proteins from the food we eat.

Additionally, it possesses carminative qualities that ease discomfort and gas buildup in your intestines.

Ginger

Ginger is an excellent ingredient for soothing an upset stomach and even helps ease nausea. Ginger contains compounds that reduce inflammation and pain, as well as compounds that improve digestion and immunity. 

Ginger root contains a component called gingerol, which benefits the digestive system. Eating a little ginger along with your meal can improve your digestion by encouraging the efficient function of the gastrointestinal tract and speeding food through more quickly.

Bael

Bael fruit is good for digestion. The juice of Bael fruit controls gastric ulcers caused by the imbalance of mucosa and levels of oxidative stress in the gastric tract. It also has laxative properties, which prevent constipation.

The Bael tree's bark, roots, leaves, and fruits have been used traditionally to help relieve amoebic dysentery, stomach problems, and diarrhea.

Myrobalan

Myrobalan is effective in curing a wide range of stomach problems, including constipation, piles, stomach infections, and diarrhea. Myrobalan is believed to act as a laxative that cleans out your stomach. Myrobalan, when taken with a couple of cardamom seeds and a few grains of black pepper, helps relieve constipation.

Turmeric

Because of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric helps with a healthy digestive system. It's used in Ayurveda as a digestive healing agent, which helps reduce gut inflammation and gut permeability.

For more information on how turmeric can help improve your digestion, read Turmeric For Digestion. 

Santhigram Herbal's Gut Recharge for Gut Health

The Gut Recharge dietary supplement combines a unique mix of nutrients and herbs to nurture your gut bacteria. Each capsule is full of feel-good properties are formulated to the highest of standards.

It is an all-natural, vegetarian formula that is free of hidden nasties, artificial ingredients, fillers, and binders. The first gut-rebuilding supplement that is gluten-free and carcinogen-free, this all-natural powder is designed to help eliminate toxins in the gastrointestinal tract. The Production Facility is FDA Compliant and GMP-certified.

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