AN AYURVEDA AND MODERN REVIEW ON AMLAPITTA W.S.R. TO HYPERACIDITY

Ayurveda is one of the oldest health sciences. Human health is in decline due to faulty lifestyles, dietary patterns, mental stress, and strain. The changing lifestyle has led to a significant increase in disorders related to the gastrointestinal tract, known as Mahasrotas. Amlapitta is a significant disease affecting the Mahasrotas. It is a pittadominant disease associated with the digestive and excretory channels, known as Annavaha srotas and Purishvaha srotas. Amlapitta occurs due to weak digestive fire (mandagni) and undigested food (Ama) accumulation. When the acidic property (Amla guna) of pitta increases, it results in Amlapitta. Various Acharya described Amlapitta as a distinct disorder, but its pathogenesis (Samprapti) is mentioned in Grahani dosha. The fundamental principles of treatment include avoidance of causative factors (Nidana parivarjana), purification therapies (Shodhana), and palliative treatments (Shamana chikitsa). Specifically, emesis (Vamana) and purgation (Virechana) are recommended for the upward and downward movement of doshas, respectively(1). In modern medical science, Amlapitta can be correlated with gastritis.