By: Ivan Palijan |
Agni - our digestive fire |
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According to Ayurveda, if we have good health, our dosha and agni (digestive fire) should be harmonized.
In Sanskrit, agni means fire. In the outside world, fire is responsible for the heat and the growth of all living organisms.
In our body, agni maintains vitality, growth and strength.
Agni digests food, feed tissue and separates waste products. It is responsible for our life expectancy and health.
Precisely because of this, Ayurveda pays special attention to proper functioning of agni in the human body.
Indigestion is the cause of most diseases
Ayurveda claims that indigestion is the cause of most diseases.
Indigestion causes a buildup of ama and toxins in our body.
The digestion process is directed by agni - the digestive fire.
Agni can be seen as a set of enzymes and hormones that control all digestive and metabolic functions.
In short, agni is the internal fire that drives all biological processes and transforms matter from one form to another.
Agni in Ayurveda is so important that before beginning any kind of treatment, regardless of the disease, agni condition is determined. Most ayurvedic preparations precisely regulate the digestive fire.
When our agni functions perfectly and digests all food we intake, a condition called "samagni" is established. In that state, a person is healthy and full of life energy.
Thirteen types of agni
In our body, there exist 13 types of agni responsible for digestion.
Jatharagni is responsible for the chemical processes that occur in the stomach and intestinal tract and for digesting food and separating nutrients from waste.
Five bhutagnies digest five elements (ether, air, fire, earth, water) at the molecular level. They are a form of heat that is always present in all tissues.
Seven dhatagnies bring nutrients into all our tissues. They help the assimilation and transformation of nutrients derived from bhutagni.
During the assimilation process, with the help of these digestive fires, waste material is created.
Considering the numerous imbalances of Agni
Imbalanced agni can be a result of:
- excessive intake of sour and fatty foods
- improper food combining
- use of medications, particularly antibiotics
- intestinal parasites
- excessive intake of dairy products
- smoking and drinking alcohol
- pregnancy, premenstrual period and menopause
- irregular meals and sleep
- stress, anxiety, poor family relationships
Three doshas and agnies
Our digestive fire is also influenced by our doshas.
Excess vata dosha creates a weak, irregular digestion and cause gas.
Excess pitta dosha creates a situation like the one in the overheated oven. The food burns too quickly, the person has a burning sensation, the thirsty, increased her stomach acid.
Excess kapha dosha creates indigestion. As a result, we feel sluggish, weak, helpless and listless, we experience stomach problems or suffer from constipation.
How to restore good digestion
In order to improve digestive fire you need:
- regular sleep
- eat every day at the same time
- eat moderately, chew each bite
- prefer to eat several small meals a day, but a pair of heavy
- avoid reading newspapers and watching television during meals
- after a meal in peace remain seated about ten minutes, then continue with the activities
- do not drink during meals
- take fluid approximately one hour before and one hour after a meal
- eat fruit half an hour before meals or between meals
- do not eat solid food after 18.00 pm
- calm yourself before the meal, meditate or heart bless the food
- eat calmly, in a pleasant atmosphere, unhurried
- learn how to properly combine foods
- use spices that enhance digestion
- eat according to your body type
- regularly fasting
Without the proper functioning of agni , we can not be healthy.
Our vitality, appearance, body temperature, strength and immune system depend on agni.
When our digestive fire works well, all toxins, bacteria and viruses in our body are destroyed.
Powerful agni can digest all food introduced to our body, feed our tissues and organs and eliminating toxins - which ensures health.
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