Root Of All Healing – Digestion (Agni)

Visham Agni means the fire is changeable, rough, dry, irregular, erratic, sometimes too high or sometimes too low, and moving around. Someone who has this type of digestion often has food sensitivities, anxiety, a lack of focus, alternating high and low appetites, along with gas bloating and alternating constipation, and diarrhea. This tic-tok between the other two types of Agni is either (Tikshna Agni and Manda Agni) too fast or too slow. This person forgets to eat at mealtimes and then snacks frequently or forgets to eat together. They eat at widely different times from day today. They may have food sensitivities, they may have insomnia, fearful dreams, and phobias.

Tikshna Agni means sharp, hot, hyperfunctioning, redness (face, eyes, etc.), inflammation, and burning sensation in the digestive tract. Often associated with pitta types this type of Agni burns through food and burns without assimulating leaving food undigested. This type of person with this type of Agni cannot skip a meal and may eat more often than needed in a day. They often have the qualities of pitta, are highly driven, and may suffer from anger, indigestion, burping frequently and loose or frequent bowel movements that contain visible undigested food particles. The mind of the person with this Agni is highly reactive, they may have sleep issues with waking up at night, and dreams are often intense and destructive.

Manda Agni means slow and is often the type of digestion Kapha types are used too. It is said to be hypo-functioning, milky dull, dense, and heavy. They often are not aware of what hunger feels like and are not sure if they are hungry. The person with Manda Agni may feel fatigued, and their appetite and thirst are slow. They may eat once a day as they have no appetite. The mind of a person with this Agni is slow, and dull, and may lack motivation, and feel bored or lethargic. They may feel sleepy after eating, not want to wake up in the morning or enjoy naps during the day too often.

The key to knowing if you have disturbed Agni is to look at your appetite. Additionally, the way to approach this is to look at your skin and tongue. A further look into your Agni type can be made in an Ayurvedic consultation to find out how your digestion could be helped and how we can support a healthy diet and lifestyle.

Sama Agni is a balanced healthy Agni. The person who has a balanced Agni will not have any illnesses and will have a balanced normal state. The appetite will be normal, not voracious or diminished and so will digestion. They would not crave unhealthy substances or have any sensations of discomfort or lethargy after eating. The assimilation and digestion of nutrients from the food are healthy and you can tell this by a once-a-day bowel movement, the first thing in the day is regulated. They have a normal immunity to colds and flu, with no nasty food reactions. They will have a steady weight for their body type. A calm and clear perception and state of mind, abundance relative to their karma. They will be able to engage in spiritual life in a natural and healthy way, able to discern behavior and modify it with awareness.

All doshas would do well to follow the sun, by regulating their meal times to eat the largest meal in the middle of the day. Eating when the sun is highest aligns with this natural routine of cycles and circadian rhythms as this establishes one into balanced digestion.

Avoiding processed food in the diet and avoiding overeating foods that are not correct for your dosha or avoiding poor food combinations, will adjust your digestion to Sama Agni. You can use the tools of Ayurveda for yourself and become your own best healer. If you do feel you need some further insights contact us for a discovery call to have an honest and open talk about how to find your optimal health.