Takra

Butter milk -The healthy drink

Butter milk is known as “Takra” in ayurveda. Its properties and medicinal qualities are described in as follows.

Takram laghu kashayaamlam deepanam kaphavaatajit ||
Showphodaraarshowgrahanidoshamootragrahaaruchee |
Pleehagulmaghritavyaapadgarpaanduvaamayaan jayeth ||

– Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutra Sthana – 5th chapter 

Butter milk does not cause heaviness when consumed. Hence it is known to have the quality “laghu”. It gets digested quickly and easily. Butter milk is usually sour in taste and acts as an astringent. (Due to this property butter milk helps in reducing pores caused by acne and pimples. It reduces hyper motility of intestines during diarrhea and IBS(Irritable bowel Syndrome). This property also helps to shrink hemorrhoids . Aggravated kapha and vata are mitigated by buttermilk. It is the best appetizer. According to ayurveda it reduces bloating of stomach, eases symptoms of hemorrhoids, soothes intestines in IBS and helps in indigestion. It also reduces effects of poison and is very useful in treating anemia.

Butter milk detoxifies body and cleanses the intestines, relieves constipation and helps to replenish intestinal flora. It has less fat compared to milk and is rich in calcium, potassium and vit B12.

Preparation of butter milk:
Thick curd should be whipped to separate butter. The liquid portion which remains after separating butter is called as butter milk or “takra”. When this butter milk is mixed with water , it is called as “sajala takra”. If the buttermilk is used without adding water, it is called as “nirjala takra”.

Buttermilk is one of the widely used diet article in Ayurvedic treatment. There is a simile given for buttermilk. Nector is for Gods and Goddesses, buttermilk is for human beings. 

Benefits Butter milk 

• Ayurveda uses buttermilk both to maintain health and to treat diseases.
• Butter milk is easy to digest, has astringent and sour tastes and is hot in nature.
• Buttermilk improves digestion and mitigates kapha and vata.
• In Ayurvedic treatment, it is useful in the treatment of inflammation, digestive disorders, gastro intestinal disorders, lack of appetite, spleen disorders and anemia.
• Buttermilk is highly beneficial during winter, in indigestion and in Vata imbalance related disorders.
• It is given in cases of excessive ghee consumption

Types of buttermilk

Full cream buttermilk: Full cream buttermilk added with sugar calms Vata and Pitta. Very nourishing in nature. It is similar to curds in qualities. Not to be consumed in cases of excessive Kapha conditions like cold, cough etc.

No cream buttermilk: It calms Kapha and Pitta. It is good for people with diabetes.

Buttermilk: Qualities are explained above.

Half water buttermilk: Improves strength and digestive power.

No fat buttermilk: Calms Pitta, natural coolant, relieves tiredness, calms Vata and Kapha.

According to Ayurveda, Curd at night is contra indicated. During night, curd is substituted with buttermilk.

Contraindications of Buttermilk:

Since Buttermilk is hot in nature, it is to be avoided

- during summer,

- in persons with injury

- in debilitated persons

- person suffering from giddiness, and in diseases related to Pitta imbalance.

How to Make proper Buttermilk?

To make buttermilk, follow this simple recipe. Please note that ayurvedic buttermilk is not the same as the buttermilk you buy in the store. This recipe helps restore the beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract, thus helping digestion and assimilation.

Ayurvedic Buttermilk Ingredients:

• 1/4 c. fresh cold yogurt (For best results, use freshly made yogurt. 
• 3/4 c. purified cold water (the temperature must be cold for this recipe to work)
• 1/4 t. cumin powder
• 1/4 t. coriander leaf 
• 1 pinch of rock salt (Saidhava lavana)

Directions: Place the freshly-made yogurt in the blender and blend for three to five minutes. Add the cold water, and blend again on low for three to five minutes. You will notice that a fatty foam has collected at the top of the yogurt. Skim it off with a spoon and discard. Repeat the blending and removing of the fatty foam if the yogurt remains thick, white and solid. When the yogurt has become watery but still cloudy in color, you have made buttermilk. Add the spices and stir by hand briefly to mix the spices evenly. Serve at room temperature.

Home remedies using buttermilk:

1. Mix a pinch of  Saindhava salt, ½ tea spoon ginger juice and crushed cumin seeds to a glass of butter milk. This relieves acidity, constipation and symptoms of piles.

2. Add a pinch of Saindhava salt, a tea spoon of sugar to a glass of butter milk diluted with water. This acts as a very good rehydrating formula in diarrhea and dehydration. It supplies energy instantaneously and reduces frequency of stools.

1. It is a healthy drink for people who suffer from obesity, piles and inflamed colon or IBS.
2. Massage a mixture of butter milk and salt on pores caused by acne and pimples. Then wash it off with warm water and rinse once again with cold water.This helps to reduce the pores.
3. Regular consumption of butter milk strengthens the digestive system and keeps it free from infections.

Ghrita

Ghee -The Nectar for good Health

Most of us keep ghee at arm’s length and look at it with a jaundiced eye, because ghee is mainly saturated fat. We relate saturated fats with the thickening of arteries – the obvious result of which is heart attacks. However, according to Ayurveda some saturated fats are healthy, and fat from ghee actually builds and strengthens cell walls and improves absorption.

Today let us understand about Ghee, the healthy fat which with optimum and regular use prevents you from many ailments. For those who follow an Ayurvedic lifestyle, medicated ghee proves to be an important source for healthy oils. Medicated ghee- ghee with herbs provide health benefits when used both topically and orally.

What is Ghee?

Ghee is clarified butter. Butter is heated at a low temperature till the water content evaporates and the lactose becomes a solid mass. Ghee keeps well even without refrigeration. It has a heavenly aroma. When cooking with ghee we can get away with using half the amount that we would use of any other oil. It has a very high smoking point – 485 degrees – so logically it is very good for frying and cooking.

Ghee and Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a proponent of ghee for a variety of reasons:

• It acts like a preservative; herbs mixed with ghee have a longer shelf life.
• It bonds well with lipid soluble nutrients, making absorption by cell walls efficient.

• Ghee forms a lining on the stomach wall; so acidity is reduced to a great extent.

• Applying ghee to a scald or a burn prevents the formation of blisters (the ghee should be cool and not the melted variety).
• It balances the physical body and the mental faculties like memory and learning.
• It increases the digestive fire thereby helping you to digest your food properly.
• It balances all the doshas viz,. Vaata, Pitta and Kapha.

Health Uses

To protect the nerves and receive health benefits associated with medicated ghee, take two teaspoons orally daily to meet your lipid requirement of your body. Take medicated ghee with warm milk and not in tea form.
In addition, medicated ghee can also be used topically as a base for massage oil to calm sensitive skin. Mix it with honey for application to wounds, inflammation and blisters. Ghee can also be used in eye washes and nasal rinses. Medicated ghee is used in Ayurveda for Special therapeutics of the eye Known as Akshi Tarpana and as nasal instillation- Nasya.

Merits of Medicated Ghee
A spastic and lean man when made to undergo snehana (through ghee) shows a drastic change making him mentally balanced and stout. Ghee is best suited for improving intelligence, curing insanity, increasing sexual power, good eyesight, and good voice, those suffering from injury to chest, emaciation, visarpa, tuberculosis and fever. It is best among fatty materials. It is a good coolant thus it possesses one thousand good qualities and does thousand actions when used with proper processing.

Medicated Ghee
Persons who are not affectionate towards ghee may some time have to take treatment along with ghee. In that condition ghee processed along with suitable medicines might be useful. Also in certain conditions processed ghee is only prescribed. These medicated ghees have specific actions. 

For Example:
1. When there is fever in whole body, guduchi ghrita, Triphala Ghrita, Vaasa Ghrita etc. are used which give good results.
2. Processed ghee such as Panchakola Ghrita, Nagara Ghrita, Chitraka Ghrita are used in the treatment of udara roga (abdominal disorders), vatavishtambha, gulma and piles.

3. Ghee processed with bitter herbs like -Katunimba, Kutaki, Daruharidra, Chandana, Katuindravaruni, Licorice etc. is called 'Mahatiktaka ghrita' and it is an excellent remedy for skin diseases, Hyperacidity etc.

Shata Dhouta Ghrita (100 times washed ghrita) :
Traditional Ayurvedic Skin Cream - It's completely natural and chemical free. Very useful for achieving radiant and glowing skin.
Shatadhouta Ghrita is prepared from organic ghee (made from cow milk) by washing it repeatedly 100 times using specific method prescribed in Ayurveda. This process transforms the ghee into a soft ,cooling, nourishing, silky cream.
It is an excellent Astringent, Moisturizer, Anti-wrinkle & Cleansing cream. Can be used as a daily moisturizer on the face (or whole body) or for facial massage. Also, has calming effect on reddish or burned skin, and on eczema and rosacea. 

Making Ghee

To make ghee, simply place one to two pounds of butter in a saucepan over low heat. Melt the butter until the curds separate and sink to the bottom. Discard curds and store the remaining oil in a jar. As long as it doesn't get near water, it doesn't need to be refrigerated.

To create medicated ghee, add fennel, dill, cumin, coriander, ajwain seeds or turmeric to the ghee.

Ghee is called old if it is stored for more than 6 months, newly prepared (fresh) ghee should not be used. Old ghee has various uses in diseased such as tension, disorders of head, ear, eye and uterus. It has been recently scientifically proved that it is very useful in treating wounds caused due to diabetes, fainting, and ulcers. People believe that intake of ghee causes increase of cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, jaundice which is totally unscientific.

Does ghee increase the cholesterol level?

Cholesterol helps cells to regenerate and maintains hormonal balance. This is damaged by free radicals, which in turn results in clogged arteries. Ghee actually maintains the ratio of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good” cholesterol) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad” cholesterol) levels.

Interestingly ghee works as an aphrodisiac and promotes longevity. Some fats are needed in the body to provide the essential fatty acids (EFAs). With ghee we have added benefits like a glowing complexion, increased stamina and intelligence.

Demerits or Contraindications of Ghee
Living life according to desha (habitat), kala (time) and along with morality is good life. And the science which shows light in this path is Ayurveda. This being nectar to life if not followed strictly will turn in to poison. Similarly ghee is also contraindicated for some individuals at certain times. Those being over obese and having kapha, medas in excess and those who do not do exercise should not take ghee in excess or regularly.

Those people suffering from oozing from mouth and anus, who have take alcoholic drink, whose doshas are accumulated in the body and those having tonsillitis should not consume ghee in excess. After having taken ghee one should not drink hot water immediately. These are some points to be kept in mind.

A wholesome Indian diet complete with ghee and sweets might make today’s health freaks shudder, but the near absence of modern day ailments among the older generation is testimony to its benefits. Include foods like Ghee, Buttermilk, turmeric, bran, honey and almonds in your diet and reap its benefits.

Abhyanga

Abhyanga - The Ayurveda Massage

"Abhyanga" the ayurvedic oil massage is an integral part of the daily routine recommended by this healing system for overall health and well-being. "Give yourself a full body oil massage on a daily basis. It is nourishing, pacifies the doshas, relieves fatigue, provides stamina, pleasure and perfect sleep, enhances the complexion and the luster of the skin, promotes longevity and nourishes all parts of the body".

Here are some of the benefits traditionally associated with regular performance of this pleasant daily ritual:

• Increased circulation, especially to nerve endings
• Toning of the muscles and the whole physiology
• Calming for the nerves
• Lubrication of the joints
• Increased mental alertness
• Improved elimination of impurities from the body
• Softer, smoother skin
• Increased levels of stamina through the day
• Better, deeper sleep at night

Abhyanga provides the means for trans-dermal absorption of the healing qualities of the material used in the massage, and it helps the skin, which is the largest organ in the body, perform its diverse functions efficiently, whether it is allowing toxins to be released from the body or nourishment to be absorbed by the tissues. It is like oiling the engine of your car -- if you do it regularly, your engine will be in peak condition, and give you years and years of trouble-free performance.

The main purpose of Abhyanga or oil massage as part of the Ayurvedic daily routine is to assist in preventing the accumulation of

physiological toxins (Āma) and to lubricate and promote flexibility of

the muscles, tissues and joints. Once applied to the skin, the oil

passes quickly through the various layers of the skin and the

underlying connective and fat tissues. The oil combines with any

toxins present there, especially those that are fat-soluble. Within

several minutes of massaging the skin, the oil becomes expelled

through the skin along with the toxins.

The classical texts of Ayurveda indicate that daily oil massage

promotes softness and luster of the skin, as well as youthfulness. The

skin is a major producer of endocrine hormones and is connected to

every part of the body through thousands of cutaneous nerves. Daily

oil massage can, therefore, balance the two master systems of the body

- the nervous system and the endocrine system. 

The ayurvedic massage is traditionally performed in the morning, before your bath or shower, to facilitate the release of toxins that may have accumulated during the previous night. You can use cured sesame oil, an herbalized massage oil, or an aroma massage oil.

 Unless specific oil has been recommended for you, cold-pressed (also called expeller-pressed) and unrefined sesame oil (not roasted sesame oil) should be the preference. Although sesame oil is suitable for all body types (for external use), if you find it irritating to the skin, you may try olive oil or coconut oil as an alternative. To purify the massage oil, 'cure' it by heating it to about 100 degrees Celsius, the boiling point of water. Add a drop of water to the oil at the beginning, and when the water begins to splutter, you will know that the proper temperature has been reached. You may prepare the entire contents of the bottle at once or do so as needed.

Of course, you should observe safety precautions when curing oil. All oils are highly flammable. Use low heat, and don't leave the oil on heat unattended. 

Herbalized massage oils contain a blend of carefully chosen herbs known for their ability to strengthen the physiology and balance the mind. So the daily massage with an herbalized massage oil has twice the beneficial power -- the benefits from the performance of the actual massage and the added healing wisdom of the herbs.  Herbal  oils aids the body's natural ability to withstand stress and helps balance the mind and emotions. 

Aroma massage oils deliver double the benefit -- the healing aromas in the massage oil blend, if properly chosen, are particularly effective in balancing the mind and emotions while the act of the massage works on both body and mind. Coconut oil, for example, is a cooling base oil. When combined with a relaxing aroma oil such as lavender, this massage oil will be effective in cooling down the mind, body and emotions. For special needs, ayurvedic vaidyas formulate even more targeted massage oils.  

How is the ayurvedic abhyanga done? 

Use comfortably warm massage oil. (Store your massage oil in a plastic flip-top and warm it by holding the container under running hot water for a few minutes or take required amount of oil in a small bowl.keep the bowl in hot water) Dip your fingertips into the warm oil and apply it lightly to the entire body. Wait for 4-5 minutes to let some of the oil be absorbed by your skin. Then massage the entire body, applying even pressure with the whole hand,palm and fingers.

Apply light pressure on sensitive areas such as the abdomen or the heart. Use more oil and spend more time where nerve endings are concentrated, such as the soles of the feet, palms of the hands and along the base of the fingernails. Circular motions over rounded areas such as your head or joints, and straight strokes on straight areas such as your arms and legs, work best.

After you're done, relax for 10-15 minutes, letting the oil and the massage do their magic. The longer the oil is on, the deeper it penetrates. During this time you can read something relaxing. Dab excess oil off with paper towels if you like, then follow with a relaxing warm bath or shower.  

Use soap only on the genital area and under the arms. This will leave a thin film of oil on the skin that is very beneficial for toning the skin and keeping the body muscles warm throughout the day. If, however, you have applied too much oil, a mild soap made from natural ingredients can be used to wash it off. Sesame oil in particular has a disinfecting action, which helps to ward off harmful microbes. When you come out of the bath you will feel a great sense of rejuvenation and relaxation. If your schedule doesn't allow for a daily massage, try and squeeze it in at least three or four times a week. You'll find it's worth it.

Enjoy the benefits of Abhyanga and become Healthy

Tridosha

Tridosha and You

Ayurveda's concept of Tridoshas is unique to medical science. Ayurveda says the body is made up of tissues (dhatus), waste products (malas), and doshas (loosely translated to Energetic Forces). It is the Tridoshas' job to assist with the creation of all of the various tissues of the body and to remove any unnecessary waste products from the body. It is also the Tridoshas that influence all movements, all transformations, all sensory functions, and many of the other activities in the human body and mind.

Vata dosha

The Vata dosha is the most important of the three doshas. This is for two reasons. First, if Vata becomes imbalanced for long enough and sufficiently enough, it can also cause the other two doshas (Pitta or Kapha) to become imbalanced. It can even cause both Pitta and Kapha to become imbalanced; this is called a Tridoshic imbalance and is the most difficult to overcome. Secondly, Vata is the main driver or mover of the body, including the other two doshas, all the tissues (dhatus) and all of the waste products (malas).

Vata provides the following functions:

• All eliminations: fetus, semen, feces, urine, sweat, and a few others
• Assists with all the various metabolisms in the body (called Agni in Ayurveda as discussed in the previous article)
• Controls all of the various movement of body (both physical & mental),including such things as respiration, heart beat, motivation and contraction of muscles
• Relays all sensory input from the various sense organs to the brain

Pitta dosha

The Pitta dosha is associated with fire or heat. Wherever there is transformation, there is Pitta (doing its job). Whether it is in the GI tract, liver, skin, eyes or brain doesn't matter, for these are all locations where Pitta works.

Pitta provides the following functions:

• Metabolism - at all the various levels from digestion of food to transformation of all other material
• Thermogenesis - maintains the proper body temperature
• Vision - converts external images into optic nerve impulses
• Appetite - the feeling of hunger and thirst
• Comprehension - of information into knowledge, also reasoning and judgment
• Courage & Braveness - to face the situation
• Complexion - gives color and softness to skin

Kapha dosha

Kapha is the heaviest of the three doshas. It provides the structures and the lubrication that the body needs. These qualities help to counterbalance Vata's movement and Pitta's metabolism. A big, heavyset football play or wrestler is a person with a predominance of Kapha.

Kapha provides the following functions:

• Strength - to perform physical tasks
• Moistness & Lubrication - to prevent excessive friction from occurring between the various parts of the body
• Stability - to add the necessary grounding aspect to both mind and body
• Mass & Structure - to provide fullness to bodily tissues
• Fertility & Virility - to produce healthy offspring

Why should I care?

Because by learning how to balance the Tridoshas, the following goals can likely be achieved:

• Prevention of many diseases before they take hold
  (In other words, keep healthy folks healthy)
• In many cases, slowing down or reversing the disease process
  (particularly the case in many auto immune disorders)
• Assistance in becoming totally healthy: physically, mentally, and spiritually
  (In other words, maximize your full potential)

What is really nice about Ayurveda is that learning to balance the Tridoshas is easy. Much of Ayurveda is common sense; it is based upon the laws of nature. The tools one uses to balance the Tridoshas are lifestyle management and the proper nutritional protocols.

Ayurveda goes into great detail explaining all of these different aspects of the body, how the functioning of the body can go wrong, and what to do in order to correct the problem. Likewise, it also explains how each individual can create a customized nutritional protocol and lifestyle plan that can prevent disorders from occurring in the first place.

What is the Normal State of the Tridoshas?

When the Tridoshas are balanced, the individual experiences health on all levels: mental, physical and spiritual. This is much more than the mere absence of disease.

The following areas help to define what Ayurveda considers as health.

• Happiness - sense of well being
• Emotions - evenly balanced emotional states
• Mental Functions - good memory, comprehension, intelligence, and reasoning ability
• Senses - proper functioning of eyes, ears, nose, taste, and touch
• Energy - abundant mental & physical energy to perform
• Digestion - easy digestion of food and drink
• Elimination - normal elimination of wastes: sweat, urine, feces and others
• Physical Body - healthy bodily tissues, organs, and systems

What causes the Tridoshas to become Imbalanced?

Each of the three doshas have certain quantity, qualities, and functions. When all of these are balanced, it is called normal or balanced (Dosha Saamya). This condition is conducive to well-being, health, and wellness. However, this balanced state is not stable; it is always changing. The Doshas will become either increased (vriddhi) or decreased (kasaya). Both of these states lead to ill-health or disease. However, increased Doshas have much more power to cause problems than do decreased Doshas. The important point here is to understand that each dosha has a set of qualities (gunas) associated with it which can increase or decrease in quantity.

Qualities of Vata Dosha

Cold, Light, Dry, Rough, Hard, Mobile and the Ability to penetrate fine particles

Qualities of Pitta Dosha

Hot, Sharp, Slightly Oily, Penetrating, Liquid, Light and can be sour and foul smelling when excessively increased

Qualities of Kapha Dosha

Cool, Heavy, Dense, Stable, Oily and slimy

Two kinds of Imbalances

Natural - imbalances

Natural imbalance is due to time and age, which are mild and normally do not cause any problems. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha increase and become predominant during one's life, during a season and during certain times of day. For example, Vata is predominant during the latter part of one's life, during the fall season and during late afternoon, as well as during the last part of night and the last part of digestion. Pitta is predominant during middle age, during the summer season, at midday, at midnight and during the middle part of digestion. Kapha is predominant during childhood, during the spring season, in late morning, at the first part of evening and during the early part of digestion.

Unnatural - imbalances

Unnatural imbalances of the Doshas can be caused by such things as: inappropriate diet, inappropriate lifestyle, trauma (like a car accident), viruses, parasites, etc. While some of these items are beyond our control, the type of lifestyle we live and the foods we eat are within our control.

Like increases Like

To learn how to reduce the Tridoshas, it is first necessary to understand what causes the Tridoshas to increase. The reason, according to a simple rule in Ayurvedic principles, is: "Like increases Like, while Dislike (opposite) decreases Like." For example, if you are cold and you eat ice cream, you will become colder; or if you are hot and you eat chilli, peppers, you will become hotter. These examples, which seem so obvious, are the basis for much of what is done in Ayurveda that allows its exceptional results. Herein lies one of the true beauties of Ayurveda: its principles are so simple, so basic, that it naturally appeals to common sense.

Example of Vata increasing Lifestyle and Foods

So if we engage in either lifestyles or consumes foods that have Vata qualities one will be increasing the Vata dosha in themselves. Some examples of Vata increasing activities are the following: running outside in the fall while dressed lightly when it is cold, dry with lots of winds blowing, going to rock concert after skipping a meal and not having slept all night, eating popcorn while driving in traffic with the music blasting, never taking time to rest, relax and take it easy. Basically any activity that is nerve racking and/or highly stimulating is going to increase (aggravate) Vata. 

Example of Vata increasing foods would be things that have the above mentioned qualities and/or taste bitter, astringent or pungent like: popcorn, rice cakes, beans, pepper, coffee and sprouts.

Therefore, note that whatever one does that has the above mentioned qualities (food,lifestyle,relationship) in it will cause that dosha to increase(aggravate).

And the name of the game in preventing disease is not to aggravate any of the Tridoshas; to keep them calm and happy. So all you need is to understand what factors increase and decrease each of the three doshas; Vata, Pitta and Kapha and follow those recommendations when necessary to avoid disease and promote overall health. Most of us can follow those Lifestyle suggestions for reducing each of the three doshas, and simply follow a Tridoshic nutritional program. 

Understand Tridosha, Balance them, Balance your life

Agni

Agni-The fire in You

Everything absorbed by five senses like Mouth (food, water), Nose (Breath), Ear (Chanting, sweet music), Skin (Sunlight), Eyes (Nature) is Food. When we consume food in adequate amount, it gives us long life and youthfulness.  Having right food is the initial step towards achieving healthy life. But just having right food is not enough. Right combination and proportion of food is also important for an individual.

Most of the diseases are a result of inadequate foods or not having food in a proper manner. This leads to indigestion.

The word “Indigestion” is commonly used to describe the discomfort in one’s belly mostly caused after food consumption. Fullness, bloating, nausea, heart burn are other symptoms of Indigestion.

Before discussing Indigestion, understanding the process of digestion is very essential. The Ayurveda approach of explaining digestion is very simple and effective. The food we eat is digested by Agni or body fire which is present in our body. It is very much similar to the way we cook the food. The Agni or body fire helps to digest the food which is consumed, much like the fire of a stove cooks the food kept on it. The Agni is mainly situated in Jatara or in upper part of digestive system and is called as Jataragni. The Agni is further categorized as Bhootagni (which digests the 5 pancha mahabhoota factors present in food), Dhatwagni (The agni present in tissues which help them to absorb required nutrients), Malagni ( the agni which helps in formation of body wastes like stools, sweat and urine) . The Jataragni controls bhootagni, dhatwagni and malagni. Through this it is evident that ayurveda approach of digestion explains cellular metabolism too.

When all these factors are normal and well balanced, an optimum condition is created to digest the food completely.

When food is completely digested by all the agnis, the body tissues will be well nourished and one is blessed with attractive complexion, glow, longevity, strength, good health, growth, enthusiasm, vitality and overall healthy development of body and mind.

Ajeerna or Indigestion occurs when agni is imbalanced by the factors ( tridoshas ) which help agni to digest food. The variations of agni due to tridoshas are of 4 types.

Samagni ( balanced agni ) :The agni which is well balanced due to balanced tridoshas indicate the condition called Samagni . Samagni digests the food completely and nourishes the body tissues very well.

Vishamaagni ( varying agni ):- When vata is predominant this condition surfaces. The regular food gets digested normally on some occasions and poorly on others. Vata increasing foods and lifestyles lead to this condition. This variation of agni causes constipation, flatulence, pain in abdomen and other vata predominant diseases. The indigestion caused by this type of agni is called Vistabdhajeerna

Teekshnagni ( increased agni ) : This variation of agni occurs due to predominance of pitta. Pitta increasing foods and lifestyle cause this variation. This variation of agni causes increased hunger, thirst, acidity, heart burn and loose motions. The indigestion thus caused is called as Vidagdajeerna.

Mandagni ( decreased agni ): As increased moistness reduces the intensity of fire, the increased kapha reduces the intensity of agni. Kapha increasing foods and lifestyle cause this variation. Feeling Heaviness of body, swelling of eyelids (lower), belching which emit the smell of food consumed and water brash are few symptoms which of indigestion caused by mandagni. The indigestion caused by mandagni is called as amajeerna.

The decreased agni improperly digests the food and this indigested food is sticky in nature and improperly nourishes tissues, causing weakness of body. This sticky improperly digested food is called ama. Ama due to its sticky nature blocks the channels of body, vitiate doshas , contaminates tissues, imbalance body functions and cause diseases.

Causes of imbalance of agni which lead to Ajeerna(indigestion)

1. Spicy foods, chilly, oily foods, medicines, milk and milk products, tobacco and alcohol.
2. .Irregular food habits and sleeping patterns.
3. Medications like pain killers, antibiotics, oral contraceptives and steroids.
4. Intestinal parasites.
5. Diseases of pancreas, liver, gall bladder, intestinal infections etc.
6. During pregnancy, premenstrual period, menopausal period in women.
7. Emotional upset like anxiety, stress, examination, family tensions, etc.

Home Remedies for Indigestion

1. Fasting completely for one day helps to normalize imbalanced agni and digest ama.This is called as langhana in Ayurveda.
2. Consuming liquid foods, boiled vegetables or fruit juices for 2- 3 days also improves agni and relieves indigestion.
3. Avoid the factors (mentioned above) which cause indigestion.
4. Mix a ½ tea spoon of lemon juice, ½ tea spoon ginger juice and little Rock salt in a cup of water and consume thrice daily.
5. Drinking ½ glass of warm water once in 2 hours increases agni and digests ama.
6. Cook ½ cup of rice with 4 cups of water with crushed ginger and Rock salt. Powder long pepper (2 or 3)and fry it in a spoon of cow’s ghee and add it to gruel. Consume this when it is hot. This is very light to digest and relieves colic pain.
7. Abdominal Massage also helps to relieve indigestion. It loosens the tight muscles and increases the blood supply to digestive system. American Journal of aphysical medicine and rehabilitation mentions that “Abdominal massage has positive effects on some clinical aspects of neurogenic bowel dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury. “

Consuming well balanced food balances doshas and agni and hence keeps the body healthy and free from diseases. 

Balance your Agni, Eat Healthy, Stay Healthy