Treatment for Disturbances of Agni
In Ayurveda, Agni, or digestive fire, is one of the most critical elements for maintaining health and preventing diseases. Disturbances in Agni can lead to digestive issues and the accumulation of Ama (toxins). Treatment of these disturbances depends on the type of imbalance in Agni and falls into three main categories:
Treatment for Vishamagni – Balancing Vata
To balance Agni in the case of Vishamagni, caused by Vata imbalance, oily, mildly spicy, sour, and salty foods and medicines are recommended, along with a light diet. Useful Ayurvedic formulas include:
- Hingwashtaka Churna
- Lavanbhaskar Churna (1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon with warm clarified butter before meals)
- Lashunadi Vati
Vehicle (Anupana): warm water or clarified butter.
Treatment for Tikshnagni – Balancing Pitta
To reduce Tikshnagni, caused by Pitta imbalance, avoid hot spices and consume cooling herbs such as chamomile, guduchi, dandelion root, rosemary, and amalaki. Heavy, cold, unctuous, and sweet foods are beneficial. Laxatives, such as Triphala or Darthree, can be taken every two to four weeks.
Cooling herbs include:
- Coriander
- Amalaki
- Shatavari
Mahasudarshan Churna helps reduce digestive fire without increasing toxins.
Vehicle (Anupana): cool water or clarified butter.
Treatment for Mandagni – Balancing Kapha
In the case of Mandagni, caused by low Agni and Kapha imbalance, foods are not digested easily, leading to stomach upset, food intolerances, and allergies. To enhance digestion, consume herbs and easily digestible foods in moderate meals.
Avoid:
- Red meats
- Cheese
- Raw foods
- Dairy products and sugary foods
Warm foods such as soups and stews are preferable to cold and raw foods.
Appetizing, digestive, bitter, pungent, and astringent foods and medicines stimulate Agni and are highly recommended.
Clarified butter is highly valued in Ayurveda as it enhances digestion, clears toxins, and increases Ojas (vital energy).
Recommended spices:
- Trikatu
- Cayenne pepper
- Ginger
- Pippali
- Chitrak
- Musta
- Guduchi
- Bilva fruit
- Asafoetida
Spices help digest Ama, while astringent, bitter, and pungent herbs dry excess liquid or mucus that can weaken digestive fire. Hingwashtaka Churna, Trikatu, and ginger are effective remedies for reducing Ama.
