A touch of irregularity?
Author: Maharishi Ayurveda Date Posted:12 June 2017
Gas, bloating and irregular?
During winter do you find an increase of gas, bloating, or experience irregular bowel movements?
A sluggish or irregular bowel is when bowel movements become less frequent than daily. The bowel can also be said to be a little sluggish when the bowel movement does not happen first thing in the morning, but at a later time in the day.
Winter is a time when dryness increases in the body and when it does it often accumulates in the large intestine. This increased dryness can work to restrict the healthy flow of matter through your large intestines. This can be due to dehydration (lack of fluids and fibre to meet the body’s needs) or due to liver and gall bladder congestion, or a combination of both.
What happens in either case is the body’s normal mechanism for moving matter through the body - ‘peristalsis’ - a wave-like motion that moves matter through the intestines, is weakened or impaired.
Apana Vata
When dryness accumulateds in the large intestine it is due to the imbalance of Vata dosha and more specifcally Apana Vata. The seat of Apana Vata is in the colon and lower abdomen. The function of Apana Vata is downward moving, elimination of wastes, sexual function, and menstruation in women.
Imbalance is linked to irregular bowel or constipation, diarrhoea, gas, intestinal cramps, colitis, genito-urinary disorders, menstrual disorders, swollen prostate and lower back pain including muscle spasm.
Causes of imbalance are irregular daily routine, irregular meal times, late nights and irregular sleep patterns; suppressing urination or bowel movement, sitting in the same position for a long time (eg sedentary work or long travel) lack of exercise, wrong food (eating unwholesome processed food and leftovers) working too hard during the menstrual cycle, mental tension and worries - what you eat and what eats you.
Apana Vata imbalance causes matter to move more slowly through the intestine causing pressure to build and move outwards from the intestine and/or upward towards the head. Other symptoms of imbalance may then arise such as: tiredness in the lower part of the body, cramps in calf muscles, dizziness, low digestive fire, back and tummy discomfort, gas, queasy tummy, bladder discomfort and swelling cheeks.
The list of severe symptoms that may be influenced by sluggish bowel are: vomiting, loss of taste, heart disease, irritable bowel syndrome, loss of hearing, dull vision, headache, depression, excessive thirst, loss of consciousness, loss of mental balance. In helping to restore balance to a sluggish bowel we primarily focus on restoring balance to Apana Vata.
How do I restore balance?
To help restore balance to the gastrointestinal tract to support optimal digestion and regular elimination we target the key behaviours to balance Apana Vata
Your Lifestyle
Balance Vata Apana by eating three meals a day. Aim to eat each meal at the same time most days. Be in bed by 10pm. Reduce stress with regular daily practise of Transcendental Meditation. Apply Organic Vata Massage Oil over your body prior morning shower or bath. See how
Helpful herbals
Support healthy movement through the intestines by taking Digest Tone 2-4 tablets at bedtime
Ensure full and complete digestion by taking 1 tablet of Digest Plus after main meals and Herbal Digest 2 tablets before meals.
Be well hydrated and keep any wind in the body moving downwards with regular sips of Vata Tea Organic every 15-30 minutes.
Dietary support
Favour Vata balancing dietary guidelines including foods to favour and foods to avoid.
Ensure optimal nutrition by using Vata Seasonal Churna on your lunch and evening meals.
Wishing you the bliss of balance.
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Linda Sinden has been a practising Maharishi Ayurveda Consultant since 1990 and is a regular contributor to our weekly Insights. She has a practice in Auckland, New Zealand and also provides phone or Skype sessions for those who need assistance, but don’t have a consultant in their vicinity. Email: lindasinden@orbislife.co.nz Skype: Linda.Sinden |
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