The Benefits of Avipattikar

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. Avipattikar 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)
• nut grass (Cyperus rotundus)
• turpeth (Operculina turpethum)
• vidanga (Embelia ribes)

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 
• gastritis
• heartburn
• indigestion
• ulcers

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.

However, one study published in the Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research in 2013 suggests that 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 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).

A number of preliminary studies show that some of the herbs found in avipattikar may aid in treatment of certain health conditions. For instance, there's some evidence that amla may help keep cholesterol and blood pressure in check and protect against diabetes, while haritaki may reduce oxidative stress and help treat metabolic syndrome. In addition, ginger appears to ease nausea and may be beneficial for people with chronic pain.

Although the safety of long-term or regular use of avipattikar has yet to be tested in clinical trials, there's some concern that certain herbs found in this herbal formula may be harmful for some individuals.

Ginger, for example, may have blood-thinning effects that could aggravate bleeding disorders. Haritaki, meanwhile, may reduce blood sugar and therefore have negative effects when taken in combination with blood-sugar-lowering medications (such as those used in the treatment of diabetes).

It's also important to note that, due to the fact that dietary supplements are largely unregulated, the content of some avipattikar products may differ from what is specified on the product label. In some cases, an avipattikar product may fail to contain all of the herbs listed on the product label. In other cases, the product may deliver doses that differ from the specified amount for each herb. While consumers face such risks when purchasing any dietary supplement, these risks may be of greater magnitude in the purchase of avipattikar and other products containing a variety of herbs in varying doses.

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.

Avipattikar is sold in many natural-foods stores and in stores specializing in dietary supplements. You can also purchase avipattikar online.

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.

_Sources

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_{Gyawali S, Khan GM, Lamichane S, Gautam J, Ghimire S, Adhikari R, Lamsal R. "Evaluation of anti-secretory and anti-ulcerogenic activities of avipattikar churna on the peptic ulcers in experimental rats." J Clin Diagn Res. 2013 Jun;7(6):1135-9.}

_{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 Aug;27(6):358-63.}

_{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 Jun 26;142(1):65-71.}

_{Singh I, Singh PK, Bhansali S, Shafiq N, Malhotra S, Pandhi P, Pal Singh A. "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 Jan;24(1):107-12.}

_{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 Jun;97(6):1187-95.}

Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstances or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen.