According to Ayurveda, a Science of life, the most common digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, indigestion, acidity, sluggish metabolism, diabetes, chronic tiredness can be controlled by a regular yogic practice. It believes that Agni (digestive fire) is the chief protector of the body and ama is the real cause of the disease
Yoga postures tone every area of the body including digestive system and cleanse the internal organs of toxins. It also dissolves physical stress and calms the mind thereby rejuvenating the body which leads to an improved digestion.
Yoga balances all three doshas, and different poses have different effects. Forward bending postures cool Pitta dosha. Twists are good for Kapha because they stimulate digestion. Backward bends are heating, and thus balancing to Vata types, as long as the person has the strength to do them.
** One of the digestive benefits of yoga is that it restricts the blood flow to certain parts of the body while holding some poses. Once these poses are released, this area of the body is then flooded with blood and thus, oxygen. Oxygen has healing properties and is necessary for proper function of the digestive organs.
** Forward bends increase the space in the abdomen and facilitate the release of entrapped gases. These poses heat the front of the body and cool the back body.
** Regular focused breathing can also open up blocked areas of energy in the body- blocked energy, or chi, in the stomach/intestines, is often the cause of digestive problems.
** Yoga calms us, which in turn relaxes the digestive system and leads to more effective elimination.
** Several asanas like cobra, Hero, Baddha Konasana (Reclining Bound Angle Pose), Supported Supta Sukhasana, and an upright variation of Parsvottanasana (Side Stretch Pose) and Dhanurasana are practiced to treat digestive disorders. Some of these poses makes you put entire weight on stomach, thus tones stomach muscles and makes these stronger as well as to digest food better and cleanse system of left over food, etc
** The commonly used ayurvedic medicine to fight digestive disorders are Indukantam qwath tablet, aptizoom syrup, indukantam ghrit, hinguvachadi tab, dadimashtaka churna, chitrakadi tablet, kalyana gulam, dasmoola haritaki leha.
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