|  | | Editor’s Note | | Dear Readers, Ayurveda has described an important factor of digestion and metabolism in our body as Agni. Ingested food is to be digested, absorbed and assimilated, which is unavoidable for the maintenance of life, and is performed by Agni. In Ayurveda, the term “Agni” is used in the sense of digestion of food and metabolic products. Agni converts food in the form of energy, which is responsible for all the vital functions of our body. Therefore, Ayurveda considers that Agni is the cause of life, complexion, strength, health, nourishment, luster, oja (vigor), and prana (life force). Agni is contributed by the three doshas. As long as Agni is functioning correctly, the processes of breaking down food and absorbing and assimilating it into the body will work effortlessly. An individual with a healthy and active Agni will result in a healthy and vibrant body. Longevity depends upon Agni. The intake of food should be regulated by the condition of the Agni, the digestive fire in the body. In this article we will see in detail about Agni, the digestive fire. We welcome your suggestions and submissions. Enjoy reading and get benefited with Ayurveda. Vaidya Lakshmi Anoop | | HEALTH AND AGNI | |  Like Tridosha control all parts of the body, they also control the Agni – digestive power. Agni and Pitta – Wherever there is processing with fuel, like running of a motor engine, there is an element of fire involved. Hence, even in the process of food digestion, where food is used as fuel by the body to burn and generate energy, there is predominant involvement of fire. So, Pitta is the main component of Agni. (In fact, Agni itself means fire.). Pitta acts as the main burning power, which burns the food and divides it into useful part (Rasa) and waste part (Mala – faeces) Agni and Vata - But as we know, fire alone cannot burn a mass. It needs some amount of air as well. Proper quantity of oxygen rich air will keep the fire alive. Wind is correlated with Vata in Ayurveda. Hence, the process of digestion also involves Vata. For your digestion process to run smoothly, your Vata should also be in a healthy state. Vata helps in maintaining proper Pitta. It also helps in the division of useful part and waste part. Vata is responsible for movement of the food taken in, in normal downward direction, from oral cavity to anal canal. It is also responsible for division and further assorting of useful part of food and waste part. Agni and Kapha - When there is a big mass, to burn it, only fire and wind might not be sufficient. You need some lubricating liquid that would soften and break down the mass into small particles. Liquid / water are correlated with Kapha. Hence, you need a little amount of Kapha also, in the digestion process. Kapha helps in lubricating the food. It helps to break down the food particles into small pieces. Common causes of digestive disorders : -
Ayurvedic classics emphasize to follow satvik food. But, it will not be possible, all the time. Our tongue demands tasty food, every time. Many of the spicy and additives like chilly, garlic when used excessively will cause digestive troubles. -
Mostly we are dependent on packed food; these possess significant percentage of preservatives, coloring agents, stabilizers, emulsifiers, taste enhancers etc. which on the long run will cause disorders of the digestive system. -
Untimely food, excess of food, repeated food intake (before the digestion of the previously taken food), excess intake of coffee and tea, habits like smoking, tobacco chewing etc too contribute in the causation as well as aggravation of the disease. -
Ayurveda emphasizes that stress, job dissatisfaction, jealousy, anger etc also as reasons for disease of GIT. -
In our busy schedule, we often take food in hotels, restaurants or in the roadside fast food- shops. In many part of the country, in these shops good hygienic measures are not undertaken or else there will be every chance of contamination. Due to this, there will be infection by bacteria, fungus or such other micro organism and indirectly they become the reason for irritation of the stomach and gut. -
Now–a-days most of the people do not follow classical food habits. Taking pizza, burger, noodles etc followed with any juice or milk-shake is a typical example of incompatible food. Other than this, we are not sure about the type of oil used, spices mixed, the way of processing of food etc. Incidentally, these also act as incompatible foods. Due to this, the food is not digested properly and it provokes excess of Pitta and thus results in gastric irritation. As per Ayurveda, indigestion and low digestion strength leads to Ama (metabolic toxin) formation which is the cause for many diseases. Hence, improving digestion strength is the first thing to be done before starting Panchakarma treatment. Improving digestion is also helpful in treating conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, etc. | | PRODUCT OF THE MONTH – CHITRAKADI VATI | |  Ingredients - Chitrakmoola, pippalimoola, yavakshar, svarjikshar, saindhava lavana, kala lavana, audbhid lavana, sunthi, maricha, pippali, hingu, ajamodha and chavya. Indications - Indigestion, heaviness in abdomen, loss of appetite, bulimia, abdominal gas, Irritable bowel syndrome, frequent loose bowels, Ama dosha. Dose - 1 tablet for 2 to 3 times daily. For more on this product please click here | | Wish to procure our products? Kindly contact as detailed below:
USA:
Now available at Garry and Sun, USA - The new longevity tonic & all the other products of Chakrapani Ayurveda, India, potent and fresh Ayurveda herbs, massage oils for body types, good quality Indian spices and readymade Ayurveda food items suitable for Ayurveda body types. Contact at Toll Free: 1 - 888 - 98 - HERBS
Garry and Sun
http://garrysun.com
France
S.I.E.T.P.A.
http://massages-ayurvedique.com
U.K.
Health Trail
www.healthtrail.co.uk
Ireland
The Samadhi Centre
http://thesamadhicentre.com
Colombia
Ms. Gisele Dupuis
kamalacentroayurveda@gmail.com
Curacao
Ms. Soraida
http://www.enlightengroup.org
Brazil
Jorge Farias
fariasjh@hotmail.com Ph: (21) 2261.5352 Would you like an advertisement of your health services and products to be read by the largest on - line audience of Ayurveda in the whole world? Or would you like to sponsor a newsletter ? For all information about our newsletter and sponsorship details, click here
For Archives of our earlier published Newsletters, please click here
Subscription Information:
If you know someone, who would enjoy AyurvedaNews, please forward it to them or tell them about it.
If AyurvedaNews came to you from a friend, you can subscribe to it for free at our web sites or click here
Click here to send your feedback on this issue of AyurvedaNews. Your valuable suggestions will help us in our efforts at continuous improvement.
Change of Address: If at any time you wish to change your e-mail address, please update us by clicking here.
Stop Subscription: If you wish to stop your subscription click here | | Chakrapani Ayurveda have been giving genuine services in the field of Ayurveda from past 17 years and we would like to introduce our readers about our services and our team. Kindly visit Chakrapani Ayurveda Clinic & Research Center Introduction Part I on you Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNO7FuxnEwg. This video shows first part of the thorough introduction on the services being offered by Chakrapani Ayurveda Clinic & Research Center based at Jaipur, India. To see second and final part of the introduction, kindly visit http://youtu.be/pQPb9oR9MgI. | |
No comments:
Post a Comment