Udāvarta: A Hidden Gut–Mind Disorder, Rediscovered Through a Clinical Case

Abstract

Udāvarta, though described in Charaka Saṃhitā (including the significant Trimarmīya Adhyāya) and Bhāvaprakāśa, remains a less discussed and underdiagnosed condition in current Ayurvedic practice. Yet, it holds great clinical relevance today, as its primary etiological factors—vega-dhāraṇa and akāla-bhojana1,2—are extremely common in modern lifestyles. This case presents classical Udāvarta lakṣaṇas, including agni-dushti, abdominal pain, constipation, bloating, insomnia, and mental disturbance, reflecting the upward movement of Vāta and early gut–mind axis involvement3,4. Management was based on authoritative Ayurvedic principles using dīpana–pācana, Vāta-anulomana, mala-virecana, snehana, and basti therapies5,6 as described in Charaka Chikitsā Sthāna 26 and Bhāvaprakāśa Udāvarta Adhyāya. The patient achieved complete recovery, reinforcing Udāvarta as a crucial diagnostic entity connecting digestive impairment and mental symptoms. This case highlights the urgent need to re-establish Udāvarta’s significance in everyday Ayurvedic practice.