Salila SukumaranFounder/ Ayurveda Wellness Concierge, Ayurgamaya · Founder, CEO | Ayurveda lineage-based wisdom keeper | Podcast Host guiding women to heal burnout and thrive in high-pressure lives

The secret to fixing your digestion is tapping into ancient wisdom 🌿

23 Jun 2026 · 1 min

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Actionable Ayurveda with Salila

23 Jun 2026 · 1 min

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In this podcast excerpt, the speaker highlights two Ayurvedic herbs that support digestive health. Cumin (jeera) is described as the quintessential digestive herb, with its very name meaning "that which creates digestion," and is recommended to be added to meals. The speaker then introduces asafoetida (hing) as an under‑appreciated remedy; when activated in warm oil, it can be used in place of onions and possesses a property called vata anulomana, which promotes downward peristalsis. This effect helps correct reverse peristalsis caused by prolonged sitting or poor diet, thereby improving bowel movement and elimination. Practical advice includes mixing a small amount of hing with oil before adding it to savory dishes.

Chapters

Digestion, specific herbs for digestion. Cumin is the best for digestion. Cumin's name itself means digestion, jeera ka, meaning that, that which creates digestion. So adding cumin. Another unsung hero is asafoetida, hing. Not a lot of people know about it, but activate it in warm oil, add a little hing to every savory dish you make. Can substitute as onions. It's very, very good for health. It has a property called vata anulomana, meaning it moves the peristalsis downwards. If there's any reverse peristalsis due to long time sitting, due to eating not so good food, it will restore that balance and it will help the bowels move downward and eliminate better. So asphoetida, that's great. So mixing it with a little bit of oil first.

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