Celiac Disease is an auto-immune disorder of the small intestine. It is an immune reaction of the body towards gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, oats, barley and rye. The elasticity of dough is due to the presence of gluten.
Mechanism of Celiac Disease Occurrence
In celiac disease, the immune reaction damages the inner lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing nutrients. This condition is known as malabsorption. When celiac disease happens in children, it hampers their growth and development.
When an individual suffering from celiac disease consumes gluten-rich food, the body’s immune system overreacts to it. The reaction damages the villi of the small intestine. Villi are responsible for the absorption of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, etc. If these villi get damaged, the body can’t get enough nutrients. The immune reaction of the small intestine to gluten causes celiac disease.
What are the Symptoms of Celiac Disease?
If an individual is suffering with celiac disease and accidentally eats something with gluten, he/she may have the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain in the abdomen
- Weight loss
- Constipation
- Gaseous distension and bloating
Other symptoms that are not related to the disturbances of the digestive system can also occur. These include:
- Anemia is usually from iron deficiency
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Joint pain
- Tingling and numbness in the hands and feet
- Cognitive impairment
- Mouth ulcers
- Osteoporosis
Celiac Disease – According to Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda, when the weak digestive fire burns the food incompletely, it goes either in an upward or downward direction. When it moves downwards, the food is half burnt and the stool is frequent or constipated. There is presence of symptoms such as anorexia, thirst, abnormal taste in mouth, etc. It is present with typical symptoms in Abhyantara marga (GI) tract resulting in inflammation of the small intestine mucosa and villous atrophy.
As per the cycle of nutrition of the dhatus (tissues) described in Charak Samhita, celiac disease is present with other symptoms such as dhatu kshaya (depletion of tissues) such as rasa/rakta kshaya (anaemia), asthi kshaya (osteoporosis), majja kshaya (neurological symptoms) etc. Thus, chronic fatigue and malaise may be an indication that the disease process has reached the point of creating ojo kshaya (depleted ojas).
The pitta inflammatory aspect of celiac disease can manifest in bahya marga (external pathway) as dermatitis herpetiformis.
What is the Ayurvedic Treatment of Celiac Disease?
Ayurveda considers weak digestive fire as the main cause of celiac disease.
The natural treatment of celiac disease involves herbal remedies that have Agni Deepana and Aam Pachana properties. The agni deepana medications help in regulating digestive fire and aam pachana medications purge toxins from the body. Thus, Ayurvedic remedies of celiac disease work on balancing agni and aam pachan so that the digestion returns to normal. When the digestive fire stops burning, there are more toxins in the body and if these are not being purged properly, these can accumulate in different body parts. As a result, the patient would feel other symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue etc.
The natural treatment of celiac disease by IAFA helps in balancing both Agni Deepana and Aam pachana. Ayurvedic Remedies of Celiac Disease by IAFA include:
1. Aahar Amrutham Ras
IAFA’s Aahar Amrutham Ras is a mixture of herbs that make it an amazing product that supports digestion and promotes overall well-being. Major ingredients of Aahar Amrutham Ras are: Chotti Dudhi (Euphorbia thymifolia), Shrifal (Aegle marmelos), Bhoomi Amla (Phyllanthus niruri), and Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa).
Dose: Take 30-60 ml twice in a day.
2. Aahar Amrutham Gulika
Aahar Amrutham Gulika by IAFA is designed under the guidance of IAFA experts and research professionals. It is infused with healing herbs that help in the management of celiac disease effectively without any adverse effects. The herbs in Aahar Amrutham Gulika include Vacha (Acorus calamus), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Parpata (Fumaria indica), Hrivera (Valeriana wallichi), Nagara (Zingiber officinale), Bilva (Aegle marmelos), Shati (Hedychium spicatum), Dadima (Punica granatum) and Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus). Thus, it is an ultimate proprietary blend for gastrointestinal balance.
Dose: Take 2 tablets twice a day in between meals.
3. Anthra Mithram Gulika
Anthra Mithram Gulika by IAFA is a unique Parpati preparation. It is excellent herbal preparation for the absorption of nutrients and works specifically on the small intestine. The ingredients of Anthra Mithram Gulika are: Praval Panchamrut (with mouktik), Piyush Villa Ras, Mukta Panchamrit Ras, Kutaja ghan Vati, Giloy Satv, Godanti Bhasam, Swaranmakshik Bhasam, Muktashukti Pishti, Vijay Parpati, Suvarna Parpati, and Panchamrut Parpati.
Dose: Take 1 tablet twice a day.
4. Kutaja Ghan Vati
Kutaja (Holarrhena antidysenterica) is a tree whose bark is useful in the treatment of celiac disease. IAFA’s kutaja ghan vati is 100% pure product taken from the best quality kutaj herb. As its botanical name suggests, it is anti-dysenteric in nature and quite effective in celiac disease associated with diarrhoea and flare-ups.
Dose: Take 1 tablet twice daily.
5. Triphala Capsules
Triphala is a classical herbal formulation comprising three fruits – Amla (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) and Bhibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica). Triphala acts as a natural colon cleanser and expels toxins within the system. It acts as an excellent anti-oxidant as well.
Dose: Take 2 capsules once a day or at bedtime.
6. Aahar Amrutham Chai
Aahar Amrutham Chai by IAFA is a purely herbal combination of herbs to support complete digestion of a wide range of foods. It is a combination of six herbs that helps in celiac disease by stimulating the digestive fire and eliminating the toxins. The herbs include: Parushaka (Grewia asiatica), Kharjura (Phoenix dactylifera), Sariva (Hemidesmus indicus), Kamal Pushpa (Nelumbo nucifera), Amalki (Emblica officinalis) and Padamaka (Prunus cerasoides). It can also be used as a substitute for regular tea or coffee.
Dose: ½ teaspoon for 1 cup of tea twice a day.
Diet and Lifestyle Modifications
Skipping gluten will help in making the digestion smoother but it does not address the root of the problem. Certain modifications in diet and lifestyle help in soothing digestion and get the fire burning again along with celiac disease treatment. These include:
- Avoid meat and non-vegetarian and dairy products.
- Drink beverages such as warm lemon water.
- Include herbs such as ginger, turmeric, fennel seeds, pippali, cumin seeds in the diet.
Conclusion
Having celiac disease makes life a bit difficult but with proper Ayurvedic Remedies of Celiac Disease by IAFA along with changes in the diet help in the successful management of celiac disease as Ayurveda is all about balance. For more assistance, please book your appointment for a consultation with our health experts now.