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SYMPTOMS & AYURVEDIC REMEDIES
SLOW, HEAVY DIGESTION (Gastroparesis)WHAT DOES IT MEAN? WHAT'S CAUSING IT? WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Written by John Immel,
18 likes Written by John Immel,
Are you prone to a problem with 'Slow, heavy digestion'?
Do You Have the Sluggish Digestion Blues?Friends don't let friends eat twinkies(TM). My neighbor's kids, astounded by my 15 year twinkie fast, somehow convinced me to eat one. Against my better Ayurvedic judgment, I indulged in this former childhood pleasure. It was 'another learning experience.' Two days later I could still feel the twinkie in my gut. It was like a brick in the pit of my stomach. I knew I was the victim of slow, heavy digestion.Slow, heavy digestion is when you feel like a bomb is lodged in your stomach. The bomb of undigested food plugs up your digestive tract, making you feel bloated and slightly nauseas. The thought of more food makes you queasy, even if you are hungry. The longer the foods sits there, the more it churns and the more sour you feel. A sluggish gut can make you so tired that even getting up off the couch seems difficult. Externally, your belly may appear big and puffy. You may feel, in these circumstances, that you are overweight. However, the real problem is you've got a food baby to digest. A laxative will deflate the balloon in your belly, and you will feel 10 pounds lighter. A major cause of slow, heavy digestion is heavy or gooey foods, like oatmeal, soggy french toast, bread, and cheese. These foods bog down your gut in mucus. Poor food choices, like twinkies, or foods laden with preservatives are another common cause of slow, heavy digestion. A client of mine once ate a big mac(TM), and burped up the taste of it three days later! Her health spiraled downhill after that big mac, and a few years later it took us a month to help her back on track. Although we were able to revive her digestive system she is still recovering from hypothyroid. That is a big price to pay for what must have seemed like a cheap meal. Ayurveda has an antidote to gooey foods and slow, heavy digestion. Next time your stomach feels lethargic, try aromatic spices. Aromatic spices accelerate gastric emptying, propelling food out of the stomach and into the small intestine and beyond. Aromatic spices include common kitchen spices like mint and cinnamon. Cardamom, fennel, and hing are also supberb aromatics. In fact, any spices with a strong smell can be a great aromatic. Chronic slow heavy digestion, in the absence of a big mac or twinkies, usually points to blood deficiency, low metabolism or poor circulation. For example, anemia causes poor enzyme production (a vata condition). Hypothyroid makes digestive muscles very sluggish (a kapha condition). These conditions are all cold disorders in Ayurveda. In addition to aromatic spices, if your digestion is cold you can warm it up and reduce food stagnation through pungent spices like ginger and black pepper. Warm foods that are easy to digest like soups and kitchari are also helpful. Avoid cold, heavy foods like ice cream and cold milk. Joyful Belly's herb formula Digestive Bitters is rich in aromatics and may be helpful for those with sluggish digestion. The opus of Ayurveda includes many other striking tips to improve your digestion if you have that slow and heavy food bomb feeling.
REBALANCE YOUR BODY WITH DIET, LIFESTYLE & HERBS HAVING THESE QUALITIESEverything you eat has an effect on your body, which Ayurveda categorizes in a simple and easy way, using gunas. Gunas are qualities (like cold and hot) that describe the effect a food or herb has on your body. Cooling foods like cucumber, decrease metabolism. Heating foods like chili pepper, stimulate your body and increase metabolism. For 'Slow, heavy digestion', you should select foods with the following qualities (gunas). Individual results will vary, based on your body type and the root cause of your imbalance. For best results, get a one on one consultation.QUALITIES THAT USUALLY CORRECT IMBALANCES
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|---|---|---|
CLEAR
Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.
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CLEAR INGREDIENTS CLEAR RECIPES |  Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Clear' guna |
PUNGENT
Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.
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PUNGENT INGREDIENTS PUNGENT RECIPES | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Pungent' taste |
BITTER
Bitter is disagreeable and stimulating rejection, and a strong taste often associated with black coffee, dark chocolate, and most salad greens.
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BITTER INGREDIENTS BITTER RECIPES | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Bitter' taste |
To learn more about the symbols above, click on them.
FAVOR HERBS WITH THESE MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Ingredient and herbs each have unique effects on the various organs of your body. Herbalists study these effects and categorize them, so it is easy to identify which foods and herbs are most helpful for your unique body type. Click on the medicinal properties below to learn more about them, and to figure out which recipes, ingredients and products will be a good match for you. Individual results will vary depending upon the root cause of your imbalance. The following medicinal properties are useful for a general case of 'Slow, heavy digestion'. You must independently verify whether these medicinal properties address the root causes of your case of Slow, heavy digestion.CARMINATIVE
Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward.DIGESTIVE
Herbs that encourage healthy digestive.SPLEEN-TONIC
An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.STOMACHIC
An herb that increases appetite or settles a nauseas or nervous stomach. These generally increase the digestive fire, therefore relieving symptoms of sluggish or difficult digestion.STIMULATES-ENERGY
This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbsCARDIAC-STIMULANT
Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.BLOOD-TONIC
An herb that produces more blood cells in the body or otherwise strengthens blood. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.VASODILATOR
A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.GENERAL-LAXATIVE
Promotes a bowel movement. General laxative is an umbrella term that refers to several different types of laxatives...DISCLAIMER: The pathogenesis of each person's condition is unique, and so the diet must be fit to the individual and the unique root causes of the condition in your body. The best way to do this is with a one on one consultation.
DIET TO BALANCE 'SLOW, HEAVY DIGESTION'
DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR UNIQUE BODY?
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR SLOW, HEAVY DIGESTION
Browse these educational resources for 'Slow, heavy digestion'.
An practical resource for learning about mindful eating. Identify your eating habits and patterns and tune into the body's own wisdom. By Dr. Jan Chozen Bays.
ADD TO CART
SAVE FOR LATERGain deeper wisdom and insight as you balance your Kapha diet in a week with this eCourse. Gracefully heal your body.
Comprehensive diet, lifestyle changes, and home remedies for reducing nausea & vomiting naturally with Ayurveda.
SPECIALITY FORMULAS, AYURVEDIC HERBS, & NATURAL PRODUCTS FOR SLOW, HEAVY DIGESTION
We've specially chosen these products because of their potential for healing imbalances associated with 'Slow, heavy digestion'. Choose a product from this list that also matches your imbalanced doshas and qualities, to ensure a good fit. Please review these products to determine which are right for you. Before making any changes to your health and wellness routine, please check with your medical doctor.A famous detox tea and digestive blend to detoxify and lose weight. You will feel light and vibrant as you reduce puffiness and improve your metabolism. CCF tea is typically drunk throughout the day in a hot thermos.
Digestive bitters are revered in Europe for digestion, rejuvenation, bloating relief, and mental sharpness. Caution! A little goes a long way.
Feel clean, clear, fresh and light. Mint Belly Bliss re-awakens and brightens your mood and mind after a heavy meal.
This strong laxative tea that stimulates a sluggish colon in aggravated Kapha type constipation.
Additional Herbs & Products
Trikatu, Hingvastak Churna, Triphala Tablets, Cardamom Tincture, Hing (Asafoetida 3.5oz), Cardamom, AjwainREMOVE THE CAUSES OF YOUR IMBALANCE
With Slow, heavy digestion, one or more of the following doshas and qualities may be aggravated. If you have an imbalance of one of these doshas or qualities, Ayurveda recommends avoiding foods and lifestyle habits that aggravate that quality and/or dosha. These imbalanced doshas and qualities will need to be brought back into balance before this condition can be healed. Click on the quality to learn what foods and lifestyle habits should be avoided. If you have a systemic imbalance of one of these doshas or qualities, Ayurveda would generally recommend avoiding foods and lifestyle habits with that quality.SLOW, HEAVY DIGESTION USUALLY MEANS THESE
DOSHAS & QUALITIES ARE AGGRAVATED 
Symptoms Tell A Story
The first step to healing is learning patterns from your symptoms.
Symptoms are clues that reveal underlying imbalances, showing you where your body is weak.
Specifically, they reveal the doshas & qualities that may have become aggravated.
If you notice a quality or dosha appears next to many of your symptoms,
it helps you establish a pattern that may be systemic.
Symptoms Tell A Story
The first step to healing is learning patterns from your symptoms. Symptoms are clues that reveal underlying imbalances, showing you where your body is weak. Specifically, they reveal the doshas & qualities that may have become aggravated. If you notice a quality or dosha appears next to many of your symptoms, it helps you establish a pattern that may be systemic.
| GUNA | FOODS TO AVOID | DO YOU HAVE THIS IMBALANCE? |
|---|---|---|
TOXIC
A substance that causes toxicity in the body, or that harms the body.
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AVOID THESE TOXIC FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE SLOW, HEAVY DIGESTION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Toxic' guna |
OILY
Oily refers to anything fatty, or that increases fat.
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AVOID THESE OILY FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE SLOW, HEAVY DIGESTION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Oily' guna |
HEAVY
Heavy is identified by sedation, sluggishness, or increased weight.
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AVOID THESE HEAVY FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE SLOW, HEAVY DIGESTION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Heavy' guna |
GOOEY
Gooey is identified by anything gelatinous (such as oatmeal), or by mucus congestion.
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AVOID THESE GOOEY FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE SLOW, HEAVY DIGESTION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Gooey' guna |
COLD
Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.
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AVOID THESE COLD FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE SLOW, HEAVY DIGESTION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Cold' guna |
SWEET
Sweet refers to anything builds tissue, including macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins and fats.
|
AVOID THESE SWEET FOODS THAT MAY AGGRAVATE SLOW, HEAVY DIGESTION | Status UnknownTake these quizzes to find out if you have an imbalance of 'Sweet' taste |
To learn more about the symbols above, click on them.
Are you prone to a problem with 'Slow, heavy digestion'?
Find your imbalances and create a diet for your Digestion by taking the
free digestion quiz.
STAGE OF DISEASE: 1 - AFFECTING DIGESTION
If you have symptoms in this category, your body is sending you a warning sign. Since digestion is so metabolically intensive and sensitive to stress and emotions, the earliest warning signs of imbalance usually appear in the digestive tract first. You may have gas and bloating, for example, or acid reflux. Ayurveda recommends paying careful, close attention to warning signs. They indicate that an imbalance is starting to accumulate. Correct these warning signs before they accumulate further and weaken your body's resistance. This is usually accomplished by removing diet and lifestyle habits that aggravate your imbalanced doshas and qualities.HOW AYURVEDA WORKS
ARE YOU WONDERING HOW AYURVEDA CAN HELP YOU?WHY IS AYURVEDA THE RIGHT SOLUTION?
Ayurveda strengthens the body, in addition to addressing the disorder. It take a holistic, systemic approach, instead of myopically focusing on the disorder in question. Ayurveda shows a person how to interpret signs and symptoms of imbalance, and how to address them using materials from home, so they can optimize their health on a continual basis. You can't take the doctor home with you, but you can take Ayurveda home with you. Ayurveda is the most advanced and easy to use home system for self healing with an exceptional focus on digestion.HOW DOES AYURVEDA WORK?
Ayurveda works by first discerning your body type, which identifies certain tendencies in your body to get sick (as well as identifying your strengths). It uses body type to determine the likely root causes of your disorders. Next, Ayurveda works by analyzing the nature of your disorder. It fits all your signs and symptoms into a pattern, expressed as a combination of gunas / quali- ties. For example, you may have a heat disorder, a cold disorder, or an oily disorder, etc. This simple categorical approach shows you how to correct systemic imbalances and strengthen your body as a whole.On Joyful Belly, we've created an extensive categorization of food in relation to qualities (gunas). By eating an optimal diet that balances your gunas, your whole body is strengthened and the conditions that created the disorder are removed. Once the root causes of the disease are removed, the disease lessens in strength or disappears altogether. Additional remedies - such as herbs and lifestyle practices - focused on the specific disorder, can greatly enhance your healing.
Want to learn more about Ayurveda and its step-by-step approach to healing? Click below.
LEARN MOREGET STARTED
To get started on your Ayurvedic journey, we first recommend that your find your body type by taking our free quiz. In Ayurveda, every solution is based on your unique body type, so by taking this quiz, you’ll get the best results.5 WAYS TO HEAL YOUR BODY
WITH AYURVEDA - FREE eBOOK!
RELATED SYMPTOMS & HABITS
The following symptoms & habits may be related to 'Slow, heavy digestion'. See your quiz results for a computerized assessment of your body type. Please click on the symptoms below to learn more about them.
About the Author
John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. His online course Balance Your Ayurvedic Diet in a Week provides tools for gracefully healing with Ayurveda to thousands. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University.
John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well.
Comments & Personal Experiences
How does 'slow, heavy digestion' affect your quality of life? What aggravates it? What has helped you? Is there something you'd like to know about 'slow, heavy digestion'?18 likes
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