Ayurvedic Treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a series of symptoms that typically affect the digestive tract and intestines. IBS is also known as spastic colon, irritable colon, mucous colitis, and spastic colitis. It is a separate condition from inflammatory bowel disease and isn’t related to other bowel conditions. The symptoms vary in severity and duration from person to person. However, they last at least three months for at least three days per month.

According to Ayurveda, IBS falls under the category of a certain disease called grahani which is disturbed functions of the bowels and intestines. Grahani (or duodenum) is the seat of agni (digestive fire). Food is held here until it is completely digested by agni (or digestive fire). After the food is completely digested, it then passes on to the next part of the digestive tract for absorption, but if the Agni is weak, then the food is not completely digested and passes on in a half-digested form. When the food is in a half-digested form, it leads to ama formation. These toxins, or ama, will further combine with normal food leading to problems.

The Ayurvedic approach to IBS is can involve a combination process using procedures, oral medicines, dietary and lifestyle modifications.