Description –

Painful sores or ulcers develop in the lining of the stomach known as peptic ulcers. It may also develop in the first part of the small intestine. A thick layer of mucus membrane protects the stomach lining from the effect of digestive juices. People who frequently take pain reliever medicines are more prone to develop ulcers. peptic ulcers include 

1) Gastric ulcers – occur inside the stomach
2) Duodenal ulcers – occur inside the upper portion of the small intestine known as the duodenum.

Ayurvedic concept 

Vrana (ulcer) in udara (stomach) causes pain, burning sensation, inability to take food, regurgitation of acidic fluid into mouth, etc. Prior to this condition, there may be sopha (swelling/ inflammation) inside the udara. Long-lasting cases may develop pandu (anemia) due to internal bleeding, urdhwaga raktapitta (bleeding through mouth/ blood in vomitus) or adhoga raktapitta (bloody stools), karshya (loss of weight), etc. Aggravation of pitta due to increased consumption of pungent, sour, salty, and hot food, viruddha ahara (incompatible food), mental distress (eg: anxiety, stress, fear), etc vitiate agni (digestive fire/ enzymes) and causes damage in the site of pitta/ agni (ie amashaya/ stomach). The deranged pitta along with other dosha results in sopha (swelling in the stomach lining), and vrana (ulcer). Gradually, it causes sushira (perforations) in the stomach, raktapitta (bleeding disorder), and finally pandu (anaemia) due to loss of blood and lack of nutrition. 

Benefits 

• It heals stomach ulcers 
• Relief of stomach pain and discomfort 
• Increase digestive fire
• Relief acidity                                                                                                                         

DIET  (AAHAR)

• Meals should be had at specific time intervals.
• Light, bland small meals should be taken
• Milk and vegetables like Parval (Pointed gourd), lauki (Bottle gourd), and asparagus are beneficial
• Avoid very hot or too spicy and sour foods.
• Avoid alcohol, soft drinks, tea and coffee
• Avoid fasting for longer periods of time

LIFESTYLE CHANGES (VIHAR)

Regularly perform yoga asanas to help relieve and prevent peptic ulcers. Some yoga cleansing techniques ( Kunjal Kriya and Shanka Prakshalana) include:

      Pawanmuktasana (wind-relieving pose):

      Shavasana (corpse pose):

      Bh ujangasana (cobra pose)