AJEERNA (INDIGESTION) Cause, Symptoms, and Ayurvedic treatment

AJEERNA in Ayurveda (Indigestion) is an undefined feeling of discomfort or acute, chronic, or recurrent pain in the upper part of the abdomen during or after food intake.

The discomfort may be characterized by or associated with upper abdominal fullness, early satiety, burning, bloating, belching, nausea, retching, or vomiting. Heartburn (retrosternal burning) should be distinguished from dyspepsia. Patients with dyspepsia often have heartburn as an additional symptom. When heartburn is the dominant complaint, gastroesophageal reflux is nearly always present. Dyspepsia occurs in 25% of the adult population.

Causes of Ajeerna (Indigestion) In Ayurveda

Symptoms of Ajeerna in Ayurveda

• Excessive salivation
• Nausea
• Heaviness
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Vertigo

Differential diagnosis Amajeerna-Vidagdhajeerna-Vishtabdha-Ajeerna

Features	Amajeerna	Vidagdhajeerna	Vishtabdhajeerna
Dosha involved	Kapha	Pitta
Lakshana	Guruta, Utklesha,Ganda-Akshikoota Shotha, Udgarasch Yathabhuktam Avidagdha	Brahma, Trishna, Shaola, VataMoorcha, Vividha Ruja, Sadhooma, Amla Udgara, Sveda, Daha	Shoola, Adhmana, Vividha Vata Vedana, Mala Apravritti, Vata Apravritti, Stambha, Moha, Angamarda
Chikitsha	Langhana	Vamana	Swedana
further disease	Visuchika	vilambika	Alsaka
Comparison	Non-ulcer dyspepsia	Ulcer dyspepsia	Non-ulcer dyspepsia

Principles of Treatment of AJEERNA (INDIGESTION)

1. If mild symptoms are present, then advise fasting till normalcy attains.
2. If the symptoms are very severe and there is nausea, then take 2 glasses of lukewarm water added with 1-2 gm of rock salt or table salt. Then touch your pharynx (throat) with your index and middle finger. This will induce vomiting leading to immediate relief of all to take rest. symptoms. Then take Rest.
3. In amajirna having bahu ama dosha, Vamana should be done with vacha and saindhavaGeneral formulations1. In vidagdha ajirna, if the patient gets vidaha after meals, then haritaki, draksha, and sita with Madhu should be given. 2. In all ajirna, lepa of hingu, trikatu, and saindhava on the abdomen; and Divas dream is indicated (C.D.).
4. In the morning, if there is doubt of ajirna, then haritaki and nagara should be taken (Su. Su.46/512).
5. In the morning, if there is doubt of ajirna, then haritaki, nagara, and saindhava churna should be taken with cold water. After this, when the patient feels hungry, light food is advised (C.D.).
6. In the morning, haritaki, nagara, and saindhava churna should be taken with cold water.

Recommended Classical Formulations For AJEERNA (INDIGESTION)

Amajeerna

• Sanjivani Vati-1-2 tab with warm water thrice a day before meal.
• Chitrakadi Vati-1-2 tab with warm water thrice a day before meal.
• Shankha Vati-1-2 tab with warm water thrice a day before meal.
• Hingvashtaka churna (C.D.)-2gm TID with ghee and warm water.
• Rasona vati (B.R.)-1-2 tab with warm water thrice a day before meal.

Vidagdha Ajeerna

• Sudharshana Churna-3-6gm TID.
• Shankha Vati-2 TID.
• Guduchyadi Kashaya-20ml BD.
• Bhunimbadi Kashaya-20ml BD.

Vishtabdha Ajeerna

• Hingvashtaka churna (C.D.)-3gm TID with ghee and warm water.
• Gandharvahastadi Kashaya-20ml BD.Lavana bhaskara churna (C.D.)-2gm TID with buttermilk.
• Kravyada rasa (B.R.)-1-2 tab with warm water thrice a day before meal.
• Hinguvachadi Churna-3gm TID with ghee and warm water.

Recommended Proprietary Formulations

• Cap. Digest (AAF)-1 Cap 2 -3 times per day.
• Tab. Gasex (Himalaya)-1-2 tab with warm water thrice a day BF.
• Tab. Ojus (Charak)-1-2 tab with warm water thrice a day.
• Syrup Madhiphala Rasayana-2 tsf TID before meal.
• Syrup Diaez (Abhira)
• Syrup Gasino (Green remedies) BF

Ajeerna Chikitsha Prescription:

Amajirna

Si No	Name of medicine and dose	Kala	Anupana
1	Ajirnakanthaka rasa-250mg	Apana Kala; TDS	Hot water
2	Agnitundi vati-125mg	Apana Kala; TDS	Hot water
3	Shankha Bhasma – 250mg	Apana Kala; TDS	Hot water
4	Hingvadi vati-500mg	5 times

Vidagdhajirna

SI No	Name of medicine and dose	Kala	Anupana
	Avipattikara churna-3 gm	Samana Kala; TDS	Nimbu Jala
	Pravala bhasma-250mg	Samana Kala; TDS	Nimbu Jala
	Mahashankha vati-500mg	dhobhakta; BD	Water
	Bhunimbadi Churna-3gm	Samana Kala: TDS	Dadima Ambu

Vishtabdhajirna

SI No	Name of medicine and dose	Kala	Anupana
1	Agnimukha churna-2gm	Pragbhakta; BD	Hot water
2	Hingvadi churna-2gm	Pragbhakta; BD	Hot water
3	Chitrakadi vati-500mg	Pragbhakta; TDS	Hot water

Yoga therapy:

Same as agnimandya

Diet and Lifestyle for AJEERNA (INDIGESTION):

Pathya:

• Planning of diet is most essential in dyspepsia because the root cause is the faulty intake of diet.
• Old rice, munga dal, rice gruel, buttermilk, lemon juice, cow’s ghee, fresh ginger, fresh garlic, black salt, cumin seeds.
• Light food in moderate quantity.
• Take fresh food in warm condition.✓Drink warm water or medicated water after the meal, which helps in digestion.
• Give at least 3 hours of gap between two meals.
• Chew food carefully and completely.
• Allow enough time for meals.
• A calm environment and rest may help relieve stress-related indigestion.
• Regular exercise.

Apathya

• Avoid heavy, cold, and too much oily food.
• Avoid drinking water just before meals.
• Avoid day sleeping after a meal.
• Avoid heavy meals at night time.
• Don’t take anything in between meals except liquids.
• Suppression of the natural urges.
• Excessive or scanty and also taken too early or too late.
• Avoid anxiety, worry, anger, etc.
• Avoid excitement or exercise right after a meal.
• Avoid arguments during meals.