Six Easy Ayurvedic Tips For Healthy Digestion

by The Ayurveda Experience | Aug 4, 2023 | Diet & Lifestyle, Healthy Living

Our bodies require a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere to process food properly. That means we should sit down to eat without watching television, reading newspapers, working at the computer, or doing any other distracting activities. 

Eating while sitting and without distractions allows the stomach to settle into a relaxed posture and enables the mind to focus on the design, ingredients, taste, texture, and smell of the meal. Mindful eating like this greatly benefits digestion and nutrition absorption. It is also important to eat only after the previous meal has been digested. 

Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine, offers a treasure trove of time-honored wisdom that emphasizes the significance of a well-functioning digestive system. This article delves into six Ayurvedic tips for fostering a healthy digestion process, rooted in centuries of empirical knowledge.

Mindful eating for harmonious digestion

Ayurveda underscores the importance of mindful eating as a cornerstone of digestive health. Engaging all five senses while eating – sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound – primes the body for optimal digestion. Savoring each bite mindfully and avoiding distractions during meals supports the body’s natural ability to release digestive enzymes, promoting efficient nutrient absorption.

Embrace agni-Stoking Foods

Agni, referred to as the digestive fire, is central to Ayurvedic principles. Consuming foods that stoke agni enhances digestion and prevents the accumulation of undigested food particles, which can lead to imbalances. Incorporating spices like ginger, cumin, and black pepper ignites agni, aiding in the breakdown of food and the elimination of toxins. Just before eating, it is a good idea to consume a pinch of rock salt, lime juice, and ginger. This helps in kindling agni and stimulate your appetite.  

The art of food combining

Ayurveda extols the significance of proper food combining to prevent digestive distress. The compatibility of different foods is a crucial consideration for optimizing digestion. Consuming foods that share similar qualities and digestive effects prevents the creation of ama (toxic residue) and supports the body’s ability to absorb nutrients efficiently.

One should not combine cold drinks and cold foods with warm cooked foods. 
It can cause indigestion such as bloating, cramps, and other digestive discomfort symptoms. 

READ MORE: How To Combine Food Items: An Ayurvedic Guide For Food Combining 10 Principles For A Wholesome Diet 10 Surprising Foods You Should Never Consume With Milk

Triphala: Nature’s digestive tonic

Triphala, a blend of three potent fruits – amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki, holds a revered place in Ayurvedic medicine as a digestive powerhouse. With its gentle yet effective action, triphala helps support healthy bowel movements, appetite stimulation, reduction of hyperacidity, and offers antioxidant as well as anti-inflammatory properties. 

Time your meals wisely

Research places stress on meal timing, advocating for consistency and mindful planning. Aligning meals with the body’s natural circadian rhythms optimizes digestion. The largest meal is usually during lunch when agni is at its peak, ensuring efficient nutrient absorption while minimizing the risk of digestive discomfort.

It is advised to drink fluids one hour before and after your meal. Not earlier. 
This applies especially to lunch. If you fill your stomach with too much fluid before or after a meal, you literally extinguish your digestive fire. 

Tongue scraping 

Ayurveda advises cleaning or scraping your tongue regularly as it can potentially improve your digestive power. Along with digestion, it also aids in maintaining quality oral health. 

This study demonstrated that tongue cleaning may be a safe and easy personal hygiene method that can potentially improve digestive power and oral health-related quality of life. 

Herbal Elixirs for Digestive Bliss

Chew a mix of fennel seeds and cumin seeds (half and half) or just fennel seeds or drink fennel tea after your meal. These herbs may soothe the digestive tract, prevent the formation of gas, and help detoxify the colonYou may try chewing 1-2 cardamom, it can help with bad breath and reduce ama

Incorporating these Ayurvedic principles into your daily routine can foster profound improvements in digestive health, aligning your body with its natural rhythm and intelligence. By embracing mindful eating, agni-stoking foods, appropriate food combining, and herbal elixirs, you embark on a transformative journey toward optimal digestion and holistic well-being.

In conclusion, Ayurveda’s holistic approach to digestion, deeply rooted in ancient texts and supported by modern research, offers invaluable insights for contemporary individuals seeking optimal digestive health. By assimilating these six Ayurvedic tips into your lifestyle, you can harness the power of ancient wisdom to nurture a thriving digestive system and unlock the doors to overall vitality and wellness.

READ MORE: Ayurveda’s Take On Occasional Heartburn Or Sensitive Digestion

About the Author

The Ayurveda Experience Logo

The Ayurveda Experience is a one-stop portal for all things Ayurveda. Learn Ayurveda through our educational courses, webinars and articles, shop Ayurveda products in our online store and connect with an Ayurvedic practitioner through our web directory or iYura app!

How we reviewed this article:

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

Current Version
Aug 04, 2023

Written By
The Ayurveda Experience

Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Deepak Bhanot

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Blogs

Ayurvedic Diet For A Healthy Gut

Ayurvedic Diet For A Healthy Gut

Your gut health can determine several aspects of your health, including physical and mental well-being. Ensuring a healthy gut can be a preventive...

10 Detox Foods To Boost Your Health

10 Detox Foods To Boost Your Health

Detoxifying your body in today's hustle is like hitting the reset button for your health. The word ‘detox’ has taken the health and fitness world by...

Products for You