“Acidity” is one of the most common complaints in India: burning in the chest or upper stomach, sour belching, and discomfort after meals. It usually reflects acid reflux or an irritated stomach lining and improves with habits and short-term medicine. But the same feeling can come from an ulcer — or occasionally the heart — so it is worth knowing the warning signs. Ayurveda treats it as Amlapitta.
| Condition | Typical clues | More information |
|---|---|---|
| Acid reflux (GERD) | Burning rising behind the breastbone; sour taste; worse lying down or bending | Hiatus hernia & reflux |
| Gastritis | Burning or gnawing upper-stomach pain, nausea, fullness | Chronic gastritis |
| Peptic ulcer | Pain related to meals or waking at night; may improve or worsen with food | Often H. pylori or painkillers |
| Functional dyspepsia | Fullness, bloating and discomfort without a structural cause | Dyspepsia |
| Gallstones | Pain under the right ribs after fatty meals, lasting hours | Gallstones |
| Heart | Brought on by effort; breathlessness, sweating | Emergency — see above |
Amlapitta — “sour Pitta” — is described in the Kashyapa Samhita and Madhava Nidana with indigestion, sour and bitter belching, burning in the chest and throat, and nausea. Its causes read like a modern list of reflux triggers: eating before the previous meal is digested, incompatible foods, excess sour, spicy, fried and fermented food, alcohol, irregular meals, late nights, and anger and anxiety.
Amla juice or powder is the classical first remedy for Amlapitta; small trials suggest it can reduce heartburn.
Chew fennel seeds after meals, or sip water in which coriander and fennel seeds have been soaked overnight.
A glass of cool milk or tender coconut water eases burning for some people. (Milk can worsen symptoms later for others.)
Yashtimadhu (liquorice), Shatavari, Avipattikara churna and Kamadudha rasa are used by practitioners. Liquorice can raise blood pressure; some formulations contain minerals and should be taken only as prescribed. Remedies should not delay testing if you have warning signs.
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Reviewed against NHS: Heartburn and acid reflux, NHS: Indigestion, NHS: Stomach ulcer, NCCIH: Ayurvedic Medicine, and Ministry of Ayush pharmacovigilance. These links support education and do not replace individual medical advice.