If you have ever felt burning in your chest after your meal or a sour taste in your mouth, then you are not alone in this. There are many people who face such bloating and heavy feelings after eating. In many cases people in such conditions take a common medicine that is ranitidine which is often recommended for quick relief.
In this article, we will understand what it is, ranitidine uses and what are other ayurvedic alternatives to such medicines. So, stay tuned with us and let’s start our discussion.
What is Ranitidine and its Uses?
Ranitidine is an over-the-counter medication which reduces the level of acid produced by your stomach. It belongs to a class of drug known as H2 blockers. To those suffering from diseases like acid reflux, gastritis, or ulcers, Ranitidine steps in to calm the stomach lining and reduce pain-provoking acid. It is used to treat heartburn mainly when the symptoms are severe. It works rapidly and brings relief to the acidity. However, it also comes with its own side effects and therefore, you should know about its alternatives.
Why Use Ayurvedic Alternatives?
To Ayurveda, acidity is a result of an imbalance in the digestive fire, or Agni. When the Agni is disturbed, specifically, when Pitta dosha is increased, the body produces excess heat along with acid in the stomach. Unlike covering up symptoms, Ayurvedic treatment aims to restore the balance of the digestive system.
Here are some of the gentle yet effective Ayurvedic remedies that are widely used to treat acidity:
- Amla (Indian Gooseberry): It is very high in Vitamin C and cooling. Amla reduces the stomach inflammation and normalizes Pitta. Amla juice fresh or powdered Amla taken with water in the morning will rectify digestion in due course.
- Yashtimadhu (Licorice Root): This soothing herb is highly anti-inflammatory in nature. Yashtimadhu protects the lining of the stomach and cures symptoms like burning and bloating.
- Jeera (Cumin) Water: Boiling cumin seeds in water and drinking warm water can alleviate gas and promote healthy digestion. It relaxes the stomach and avoids post-meal acidity.
These remedies, while slower than Ranitidine in effect, promote long-term digestive health and do not possess harmful side effects.
Ranitidine Long-Term Use Concerns
While Ranitidine may be helpful in acute flare-ups, it is not necessarily safe in the long term. There has been considerable concern from health authorities in the last few years regarding contaminants in some batches of Ranitidine, and thus restricted supplies are available in most regions of the globe.
Ranitidine taken in the long term may also interfere with the body’s nutrient absorption of essential nutrients like Vitamin B12, calcium, and iron. This can lead to deficiencies in the long term.
It is for this reason that it cannot be relied on daily without doctor’s monitoring.
Therefore, when should you use Ranitidine, and when should you go in for Ayurveda? If the pain is acute and immediate relief must be sought, Ranitidine might do just that. However, for curing over the longer term, a holistic Ayurvedic approach is a safer and more practical choice.
Ayurveda also emphasizes dietary and lifestyle changes—having good, freshly cooked food, not consuming spicy or fried food, eating slowly, and not reclining after eating.
If you are not certain of what is good for your situation, a website such as Ask Ayurveda can guide you through expert answers based on your symptoms. Personalized advice always turns out to be more beneficial than self-medication.
Ranitidine gets the job done, especially for sudden, intense episodes of acidity. But Ayurveda offers a deeper, root-cause solution to acidity using healing herbs, balanced nutrition, and mindful habits.
Do please go see your doctor or a wise Ayurvedic practitioner before you make any changes, especially if you’re already taking medication. Your digestive system is worth good, wise care, so pay attention to your body and make wise decisions.
