Ayurvedic Care for Pitta-variant of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

An individualized Approach to Support Healing

In Ayurveda, not all cases of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) should be treated the same.  Rather, effective treatment requires an individualized approach based on the person’s unique symptoms and constitution. The Pitta-variant of IBD is characterized by a highly reactive inflammation, which leads to hot inflammation, deep injury, leading to degeneration that causes bleeding and erosion.  

(Learn more about Pitta here)

If this doesn’t fit your experie nce with IBD, you may be experiencing a different variant of this condition. Please read about how Ayurveda differentiates between different manifestations, Click here!

Symptoms of IBD – Pitta variant

This inflammation associated with Pitta inflammatory bowel disease is experienced as follows symptoms: 

  • Burning sensation and heat in the abdomen, chest, and throat
  • Belly is hot and tender to touch
  • Sour belching with foul smell
  • Excessive thirst, difficult to satisfy
  • Ulcers with sharp/burning pains
  • Symptoms are aggravated by:
    • Spicy and fatty foods
    • Sour and acidic foods
    • Overexposure to heat
    • Anger and emotional irritability 

In course of Ayurvedic Care, when Pitta is dominant, the body needs:

  • Controlling inflammation and regulating the immune system
  • Controlling protecting injured tissue and would healing
  • Cooling the physiology with soothing and nourishing foods
  • Regulating emotional triggers

Healing Herbal Supplements:

Ayurvedic approach emphasizes restoring, cooling the inflammation, healing the damaged organs, reducing irritability of the immune system, using targeted herbal supplements. ( **The following information is for educational purposes only, proper dosing and method of intake should be guided by a professional.)

  • Pomegranate (Punica granatum)
    • Pomegranate powder is sweet has a cooling and hydrating effect; it also dries up wounds due its astringent components; while its sour taste increase secretions, especially mucus which protects the intestinal lining.1,2 
    • Research indicates pomegranate works as an anti-inflammatory that reduces loose stools. It also works as helpful probiotic reducing symptoms of urgency and frequency of bowel movements.3,4
  • Bilwa (Aconitum heterophyllum)
    • Bilwa is described as astringent, bitter, and pungent, supporting fluid regulation and digestive stability.5,6
    • Clinical trials demonstrate improvement in chronic diarrhea and IBD symptoms like burning and bleeding. These benefits are especially helpful when bilwa is infused buttermilk recipe.7,8,9
  • Musta (Cyperus rotundus)
    • Musta acts as a warming, anti-toxic herb, that offers special benefit of controlling and drying up inflammatory fluids. 10
    • Experimental studies have shown it to be an effective antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant; that also help protect the liver and control bleeding.11,12,13
  •  Ativisa (Aconitum heterophyllum)
    • Ativisa is an anti-toxic herb. It has bitter flavor that cleanses and pungent flavor that stimulates the body’s defense mechanism.14
    • Studies demonstrate that it is an effective anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-parasitic herb. It is especially useful when inflammatory and microbial toxicity causes bowel irritations and diarrhea.15,16 

Therapeutic Diet and Digestive Support for Pitta Inflammatory Bowel Disease

When clients come to us in crisis, we take a progressive approach with a therapeutic diet to help control their symptoms. Digestive support is infused into these recipes to help with absorption of nourishment, slowly returning the individual to full health. 

Progressive Digestive Nutrition

Here are the simple, yet effective recipes for re-establishing digestive strength:

  1. Peya (Thin Rice Broth)
    1. This is the first step during acute digestive distress.
      1. Very easy to digest
      2. Soothes intestinal overactivity
      3. Warm and grounding in nature

Herbs such as Bilwa, Musta, and pomegranate along with pink salt, are added to enhance therapeutic benefits.

  1.  Yavagu (Thicker Rice Gruel)
    1. As symptoms improve and appetite returns:
      1. A thicker, more nourishing gruel is introduced
      2. Helps calm inflammation
      3. Provides gentle energy

Cumin and fennel seed powders are added to further support digestion.

  1. Yusha (Lentil-Based Soups)
    1. As strength and activity increase:
      1. Protein is introduced to rebuild tissues
      2. Easily digestible lentils such as red lentils are used first
      3. Mung beans are added as digestion improves

Turmeric is incorporated to provide a strong anti-toxic foundation.

Conclusion:

Effectiveness of Ayurveda comes from the Individualized treatment of each person based on their symptoms. These variations in symptoms come from the genetic and epigenetic make-up the individual person. 

The simplicity of the recipes makes it easy for patients to adapt these treatments and stop the cycles of depletion and degradation of their health. In addition to this, we use classical Ayurvedic medicine that speeds up recovery, enhances the healing process, and sustains health over the long term.

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Researched and Written by Dr. Anuprao Mulakaluri, ND and AHC

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Research References:

  1. Bhavamishra “Bhavaprakasha, Amritadi phala varga, verse 102-104.” Translated by KR Srikanth Murthy, Chowkambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, 2015.
  2. Alam MS, et al. (2010) “Protective effects of Punica granatum in experimentally-induced gastric ulcers.” Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods, 2010, Vol. 20, Pg. 572-578.
  3. Bialonska D, et al. (2009) The effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) byproducts and ellagitannins on the growth of human gut bacteria. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 2009; 57(18):8344-8349.
  4. Das AK, et al. (1999) Studies on antidiarrhoeal activity of Punica granatum seed extract in rats. J Ethnopharmacology, Vol. 68(1–3), Pg. 205–208.
  5. Bhavamishra “Bhavaprakasha, Guduchyadi Varga, Verses 13.” Translated by KR Srikanth Murthy, Chowkambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, 2015.
  6. Bhavamishra “Bhavaprakasha, Amritadi phala varga, verse 56-60.” Translated by KR Srikanth Murthy, Chowkambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, 2015.
  7. Parmar, et al. (2016) “Various Pathya Kalpana of Bilwa (Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa ex  Roxb.) – A Review” Global Journal of Research on Medicinal Plants & Indigenous Medicine, Vol. 5(2), Pg. 57-78.
  8. Nair SS and Gujarathi RH (2020). “Study of Bilwa Amr Yog on Atisara in the Age Group of 1-5 Years.” International Journal of Science and Research, Vol. 9(3), 2020.
  9. Dahake SJ, et al. To Study the Effects of Bilwadi Churna in the Management of Grahani Dosha. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, Vol. 6(13), Pg. 561-566.
  10. Bhavamishra “Bhavaprakasha, Karpuradi Varga, Verse 12-14.” Translated by KR Srikanth Murthy, Chowkambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, 2015.
  11. Satyanarayan Patra et al. Medicinal Properties on Cyperus Rotundus Linn. AYUSHDHARA | May – June 2019 | Vol 6 | Issue 3. 2237.
  12. Venkatasubramanium P, et al. (2010) “Cyperus rotundus, a substitute for Aconitum heterophyllum: Studies on Ayurvedic concept of Abhava Pratinidhi Dravya (drug substitution)” Ayurvedic Journal of Itegrative medicine, Vol. 1(1), 2010, Pg. 33-39.
  13. Uddin SJ, et al. (2006) “Antidiarrheal activity of Cyperus rotundus.” Fitoterapia, Vol. 77, 2006, Pg. 134-136.
  14. Shastry L, editor. 7th ed. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan; 2002. Yogaratnakara, with Vidyotini Hindi Commentary; p. 171Singh AK. Clinical Evaluation of Trikatu as Appetite Stimulant (Angnivardhan). Journal of Pharmaceutical and Scientific Innovation.
  15. Prasad SK, Jain D, Patel DK, Sahu AN, Hemalatha S. Antisecretory and antimotility activity of Aconitum heterophyllum and its significance in treatment of diarrhea. Indian J Pharmacol. 2014 Jan-Feb;46(1):82-7.
  16. Wani TA, et al. Aconitum heterophyllum Wall. ex Royle: A critically endangered medicinal herb with rich potential for use in medicine. Journal of Integrative Medicine, Volume 20, Issue 2, March 2022, Pages 104-113

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