It is also called Ajeema meaning a disorder in which food is not properly digested.
It has been classified into 5 types :
- Due to vitiation of Pitta
- Due to vitiation of plasma channel
- Type found in daytime only.
Overeating, drinking too much water or cold drinks, eating too heavy, oily foods, eating stale food, or food kept in fridge for a long time like meat, fish and other food items. When the power of agni or digestion is very weak, indigestion is produced. It can be due to diseases such as abnormality of esophagus, stocach or duodenum, achlorhydria or peptic ulcer. It may be tuberculosis, anaemia, uremia, or hyperthyroidism.
Indigestion leads to the formation of toxins in the intestines.
- In ama type heaviness in abdomen and slight oedema below eyelids is present.
- n Vata type different typer os pain in body like headache, backache is predominant.
- In pitta type burning sensation in stomach, vertigo and vomiting is present .
- In plasma channel disorder dyspepsia and loss of appetite is prominent.
Ama type- Fasting is the treatment of choice. Spices like piper nigrum, ginger, piper longum, cloves, cayenne, are very effective. Similarly, plant alkalies like vajrakshara or suryakshara in dose of 100 mgm; twice a day for 7 days, are advised.
Vata type – whole body sudation for Vata type. Carminative herbs having heating action like asafetida, garlic, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom are useful. Any of these can be given in dose of 150 mgm; twice a day for 15 days.
Pitta tyupe – medicated vomiting.
Plasma channel disorder type – to increase the digestive power, medicinal wines like draksharishta or feerakadyarishta should be given 4 teaspoons before meals mixed with equal quantity of water.
Hingashtaka – 1 to 3 gms. After meal is also indicated. It should be taken with warm water.
Western herbs like juniper berries, orange peel , oregano, and thyme have also beneficial results.
Avoid all foods that increase ama and kapha, like heavy foods, meat, cheese, and too oily and fried foods.
