Holistic Health Herbal Medicine The Health Benefits of Avipattikar By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc on August 14, 2020 facebook twitter linkedin Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc, is a board-certified acupuncturist, herbalist, and integrative medicine doctor practicing in Santa Monica, California. Learn about our Medical Review Board Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc Updated on September 17, 2020 Print Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak Table of Contents View All Health Benefits Selection, Preparation & Storage Alternative Remedies Avipattikar is an herbal remedy used in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India. Available in dietary supplement form, it contains a number of different ayurvedic herbs and is generally used to treat digestive problems. Avipattikar contains the following herbs: Amla (Emblica officinalis)Behada (Terminalia belerica)Black pepper (Piper nigrum)Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) Clove (Syzygiumaromaticu)Ginger (Zingiber officinale)Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)Indian bay leaf (Cinnamomum tamala)Long pepper (Piper longum)Nutgrass (Cyperus rotundus)Turpeth (Operculina turpethum)Vidanga (Embelia ribes) Uses According to the principles of Ayurveda, health problems often result from imbalances in the three doshas. Avipattikar is often used to treat imbalances in the dosha known as pitta and, in turn, promote healing from the following health conditions: Constipation Diarrhea GastritisHeartburnIndigestionUlcersGERD (acid reflux) Health Benefits Although practitioners of ayurvedic medicine have long used avipattikar to enhance digestive health and treat conditions affecting the digestive system, very few scientific studies have tested the formula's effects. Peptic Ulcers A 2013 study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research found avipattikar shows promise in the treatment of peptic ulcers, a condition marked by sores in the lining of the stomach or the first part of the small intestine. In tests on rats, the study's authors determined that avipattikar helped thwart the development of peptic ulcers by reducing the secretion of gastric acid. According to the study's authors, avipattikar's ulcer-fighting effects may be similar to those of ranitidine, a medication commonly used in the treatment of ulcers. Selection, Preparation, and Storage Avipattikar is sold in many natural-foods stores and available online. It is sold in capsules and as a powder. Dietary supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the content of some avipattikar products may differ from what is specified on the product label. Look for brands that are certified organic, GMO-free, and tested for heavy metals. Some brands of powder may contain sugar. If you are watching your intake of added sugar, read the ingredients list before buying. Mixed with warm water, the powder has a spicy flavor that can be enjoyed as a tea once or twice a day to soothe heartburn or ease a sour stomach. Alternative Remedies Several natural remedies may soothe digestive problems. If you're seeking a natural treatment for heartburn, consider such herbs as licorice and slippery elm. For constipation, increasing fiber intake with the help of flaxseed or psyllium may be beneficial. There's also some evidence that a combination of enteric-coated peppermint oil and caraway oil may alleviate indigestion. A Word From Verywell Due to the limited research, it's too soon to recommend avipattikar as a treatment for any condition. If you're considering the use of avipattikar in treatment of a chronic health condition, make sure to talk to your doctor before starting your supplement regimen. Self-treating and avoiding or delaying standard care can have serious consequences. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Gyawali S, Khan GM, Lamichane S, et al. Evaluation of anti-secretory and anti-ulcerogenic activities of avipattikar churna on the peptic ulcers in experimental rats. J Clin Diagn Res. 2013;7(6):1135-9. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2013/5309.3058 Sabbadin C, Bordin L, Donà G, Manso J, Avruscio G, Armanini D. Licorice: From Pseudohyperaldosteronism to Therapeutic Uses. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2019;10:484 doi:10.3389/fendo.2019.00484 Kligler B, Chaudhary S. Peppermint oil. Am Fam Physician. 2007;75(7):1027-30. Additional Reading Bhatia J, Tabassum F, Sharma AK, et al. Emblica officinalis exerts antihypertensive effect in a rat model of DOCA-salt-induced hypertension: role of (p) eNOS, NO and oxidative stress. Cardiovasc Toxicol. 2011;11(3):272-9. doi:10.1007/s12012-011-9122-2 Gyawali S, Khan GM, Lamichane S, et al. Evaluation of anti-secretory and anti-ulcerogenic activities of avipattikar churna on the peptic ulcers in experimental rats. J Clin Diagn Res. 2013;7(6):1135-9. doi:10.7860/JCDR/2013/5309.3058 Mahesh R, Bhuvana S, Begum VM. Effect of Terminalia chebula aqueous extract on oxidative stress and antioxidant status in the liver and kidney of young and aged rats. Cell Biochem Funct. 2009;27(6):358-63. doi:10.1002/cbf.1581 Nain P, Saini V, Sharma S, Nain J. Antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. leaves extract in streptozotocin-induced type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012;142(1):65-71. Singh I, Singh PK, Bhansali S, et al. Effects of three different doses of a fruit extract of Terminalia chebula on metabolic components of metabolic syndrome, in a rat model. Phytother Res. 2010;24(1):107-12. doi:10.1002/ptr.2879 Yokozawa T, Kim HY, Kim HJ, Okubo T, Chu DC, Juneja LR. Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) prevents dyslipidaemia and oxidative stress in the ageing process. Br J Nutr. 2007;97(6):1187-95. doi:10.1017/S0007114507691971