Lactose Intolerance and Dairy Allergy Natural Ayurvedic Treatment

Lactose intolerance or dairy allergy means the inability of the body to digest lactose, a form of natural sugar present in milk and dairy products. When the patients with lactose intolerance consume milk or dairy products, they suffer from bloating, and pain in the abdomen.

Most patients consider lactose intolerance and food allergy to milk to be the same. However, both of these are different conditions. Lactose intolerance occurs due to the digestive problems, which results in the inability of the stomach and intestine to digest lactose while the allergy to milk occurs due to an abnormal response of the immune system to the same.

In lactose intolerance, the lactose moves through the colon without being digested, resulting in uncomfortable symptoms like flatulence, bloating and belly pain. The symptoms usually begin about 30 minutes after the consumption of milk or dairy product. The other symptoms of this disease include cramps in the abdomen, loose motions, gurgling and rumbling sounds in the belly and vomiting. The symptoms can be mild to severe, depending on the amount of an enzyme known as lactase, which is produced in the intestine.

Lactose intolerance occurs due to the lack of or insufficient production of lactase in the small intestine, which is needed to break down, and digest lactose. Lactose intolerance and dairy allergy may occur after the small intestine stops producing lactase following an acute illness like stomach flu or a chronic disease like cystic fibrosis.

The production of lactase may even be affected due to the damage to the small intestine or removal of a part of the small intestine during surgery. In these cases, the symptoms can be either temporary or permanent. Patients suffering from this problem can seek lactose intolerance symptoms treatment using the herbs recommended by Ayurveda. [1]

Lactose Intolerance Symptoms In Adults

The severity of lactose intolerance varies among different patients. Some patients can not digest any milk product while some can eat and drink a small amount of milk or consume certain types of milk products without developing any symptoms.

Lactose intolerance poses a big challenge for the patients as they have to avoid the discomfort caused due to the consumption of milk and dairy products and also ensure their body gets enough supply of calcium for maintaining the health of bones and teeth. Ayurvedic medications can provide relief from the intolerance symptoms to dairy products.

Lactose Intolerance Foods To Avoid 

The patients suffering from this condition should know the foods to avoid preventing the lactose intolerance symptoms from occurring. They should avoid eating and drinking milk and the dairy products like yogurt, and cheese.

However, care must be taken to replace the nutrients present in the dairy products, especially calcium, so that the body is not deprived of its source of essential vitamins and minerals. The diet plan for lactose intolerance should include the foods that are high in calcium. Since milk is also a good source of vitamin D and fiber, the lactose intolerance diet should include foods that can replace these nutrients.

Ayurveda Natural Treatment For Lactose Intolerance

Ayurvedic herbs, which can help the patients who are suffering from lactose intolerance, to control the symptoms. The Indian traditional medicine in Ayurveda, aimed at relieving the symptoms such as bloating, flatulence and abdominal pain while promoting the digestion of lactose in the intestine.

The commonly used herbs for treating this disease symptoms as per Ayurvedic textbooks are as follows:

• Bilva (Aegle marmelo): Bilva helps to treat lactose intolerance symptoms by stimulating the digestive fire to reduce the loose motions.

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• Vaividang (Embelia ribes): Vaividang reduces nausea caused due to lactose intolerance. It can also boosts the breakdown and digestion of food in the intestine thus reducing the symptoms caused due to mild lactose intolerance.

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• Mulethi (Liquorice): Mulethi can produce a stimulatory effect on the digestive system. It can promote the functions of the stomach and intestines and prevents the symptoms caused due to the inability of the body to digest lactose. 

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• Daruharidra (Berberis aristata): Daruharidra  may regulate the metabolic processes in the body and improves the digestion of food. This can helps to control the symptoms of lactose intolerance.

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• Kutaj ( Holarrhena antidysenterica): Kutaj can help to treat lactose intolerance  symptoms by producing an antispasmodic action. It can reduce pain and cramps in the abdomen.

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• Mustak (Cyprus rotundus): It may help reduce the symptoms caused due to this condition and promotes proper digestion of food.

Natural Herbal Treatment For Dairy Allergy

Ayurveda may offers an treatment for dairy allergy, that can helps to relieve the symptoms of this condition and can also supports the digestive functions. 

Ayurvedic practitioners (with ayurveda doctors qualification from India) at “Pure Herbal Ayurved Clinic” also recommend ayurvedic diet that can help to improve the digestion and prevent bloating, vomiting, and other symptoms of lactose intolerance.