AGNI (Digestive fire)

                  

           Ayurveda has regarded an important factor in digestion and metabolism of our body and it as an Agni. Agni means fire, in Ayurveda the term Agni is used in the sense of the digestion of food and metabolic products; Agni converts food in the form of energy which is responsible for all the vital function of our body

DEFINITION        

        A biological energy which causes digestion and metabolism is called as Agni. Ayurveda considers that all the digestive and metabolic processes of our body are under the direct control of Agni

                Charaka says that “the nutritional value of food which nourishes our body tissues the vital essence, ojas, strength, complexion etc. all mainly depend on our Agni because and other dhathus cannot develop from an abnormal “Agni”. Agni present in the form of pitta in each and every cell of our body.

TYPES OF AGNI

                Ayurveda regards that there are total 13 types of Agni or bio-energies in our body, they are

·         Bhutagni (5) -Five Agni from five basic elements

·         Dhathu Agni (7)– seven Agni present in each dhathu

·         Jatharagni (1) -  its present in the stomach and duodenum

Jatharagni

Jatharagni is main important Agni which controls the functions of all other 12.Agni.all the Agni are wholly dependent on Jatharagni

 

                                The food ingredients comprise six tastes namely Swadu, amla, lavana, katu, thiktha, kashya they under groove different types of changes through gastro-intestine digestion through the food ingredient

                Jatharagni is the Agni or Bio energy present in our jathara (stomach & duodenum). The Jatharagni is considered to be the most important because each and every nutrient which we ingest first comes to jathara and subjected to action from Jatharagni

                It’s also responsible for separation of the food material into the essence portion ant the waste products in our body

               

Bhutha agni

                They are five numbers they help in the transformation of the external heterogeneous mahabhutas into internal homogeneous mahabhutas

                Bhutagni is the one which is present in a basic element. There are five Bhutagni in each of the basic elements namely

§  Prithvi -Agni

§  Ap - Agni

§  Tejas - Agni

§  Vayu -Agni

§  Akasha - Agni

Each and every cell in our body is composed of the five mahabhutas; all the nutrients in this world which we eat also consist of the same five elements with their respective Agni. So there is full similarity in respect of the five basic elements with their Bhutagni in our body cells as well in all the outside nutrients. Which we ingest for nutrition of our body

Dhathu Agni

                                These Agni are located in tissue element of the body they help in the assimilation and transformation of nutrient material received after the Bhutagni into substance homogenous to the tissue element during the process of assimilation through the help of these agni many waste product are produce they are

o   Rasa – phlem

o   Raktha – Bile

o   Mamsa – Excreta from ear , roots of hair

o   Medhas – Sweat

o   Asthi – Hair and Nail

o   Majja – Uncounted substance which are present in eye ,stool and skin

o   Sukra – No waste product

Dhathuagni means bio energies in the cells. Each Dhathuagni present in each dhathu synthesis and transforms the essential rasa dhathu required for particular dhathu or cell from the basic nutrients present in the anna- rasa or essence of our diet, which we consume.

Jatharagni or the Agni present in the stomach and duodenum has a great control over the action of all Dhathuagni. If the Jatharagni is hyperactive/hypoactive it will cause excessive retarded action of the Dhathuagni. This disturbed action cause’s disturbance in the whole metabolic process in dhathus which ultimately lead to various disorders.

Stages of Agni

                There are four stages of Agni 

1.       Visama Agni

2.       Tiksna Agni

3.       Mandha Agni

4.       Sama Agni

Visama Agni

                When vata aggravated the digestion become irregular from time to time such digestive activity, it’s called as Visama Agni

                Symptoms

                                Irregular appetite, gastric pain etc

Tiksna Agni

                When pitta aggravated the digestive activity is very intensive even large quantity of food get digested quickly, there is a thirst during digestion .thus the condition is Tiksna Agni

                Symptoms

                                Digest even large quantities of two frequent meals after digestion gelososa (Burning), Daha (Thirst)

Mandha Agni

                When kapha is aggravated the digestive actively in very dull, poor, in adequate even small quantity of food get digestion for long time is known as Mandha Agni

                Symptoms

                                Cannot digest even normal diet properly, kasa (cough), heaviness of abdomen, heaviness of head, and weakness

Sama Agni

                All the three dosas are the digestion of food will be perfect in all respect that is Sama Agni.

                Symptoms

                                Properly digestion from normal food

Concept of Agni in Ayurveda

                Which refer to the maintaining function described to pitta at once comprehensive.

                Ahara pachana in the kostha corresponding to gastro intestinal digestion which leads to separate sarabhaga (nutrient fraction) of the Ahara from the kitta bhasa (in digested) reside of the food hyper energy synthesis and maintenance metabolism

Conclusion

                According to modern medicine, metabolic processes of division and multiplication are going on in every cell of our body from birth to death for these constant processes in all cells a biological energy is constantly essential without which the survival of our body will be quite impossible. The same biological energy is coined by ayurveda as Agni

The basic philosophy of ayurveda

1.Panchamaha bhuthas

The basic philosophy of ayurveda is based on the panchamahabhutas theory,

According to ayurveda all things on the earth are formed by Panchamaha bhuthas ,there is not a single thing  on the earth ,which is not made out of these mahabhutas,  the elements are found in nature as well as human body. The medicines as well as eatables, which we use in our day today life, are formed by panchamahabhutas

1.       PRITHVI (EARTH)

2.       AP (WATER)

3.       TEJAS  (FIRE)

4.       VAYU  (AIR)

5.       AKASHA (SPACE)

PRITHVI (EARTH)

 

 

 

 

GUNA (properties):-

The particle of the earth element is heavy, rough, dense, hard, tough, big in size, neither too hot nor too cold

RASA (Taste):-

Swadu (sweet) and Astringent

Sense organ and sense:-

Nose –smell (gandha)

Organs in human body:-

Muscle, viscera, skin and Malas (the excreta product through out of human body)

Functions:-

·         Shape to human body

·         Weight to human body

·         Imparts stability to human body

Food or eatable

Meat, wheat, rice and etc

AP (WATER)

Water is present in nature in the natural resources like well, river, sea etc

It’s present in the different organs and parts of body. In human body in deferent proportions over all if you see human body is made water in major proposition, as its contains 70 % of water

Characters:-

Heavy, liquid, particles are big in size, cold, moisture, permeable, soft and viscous

Organs:-

Secretion of body, urine, sperm, blood, lymph, saliva etc

Taste:-

Sour, salty and astringent

Sense organ & sense:-

Tongue – taste

Functions:-

·         Cooling the temperature of the body

·         Weight of the body

·         Acts as lubricating agent in the body(I e Synovial fluid present in joint

·         Nourishment to the body

·         Keeps all the cells and tissue together

Eatable:-

Citrus fruit, water, milk etc

           TEJAS (FIRE)

In the natural form it is present in the form of sunlight in the nature; in the same manner fire is present in the human body in different organs like eyes as well as bile secreted in the gall bladder of the liver, gastric juice secreted in the stomach etc

Character:-

Light, minute, sharp, hot, lightening

Taste (rasa):-

Pungent, salt and sour

Sense &sense organ

Eye – eye sight

Organs:-

Eyes, bile, gastric juice, enzymes etc

Functions:-

·         Maintain eye sight

·         Distinguish the colours

·         Maintain the body temperature

·         Digestion of the food

VAYU (AIR)

In the natural form it’s the Air. Which we inhale, it is present in the human body in different parts of body, its important pancha mahabhutas which if not received to animals or plants they cannot survive for a long time

Gunas (character)

Light, dry, rough, minute, cold, transparent and more tangible than ether

Rasa (taste)

Astringent and bitter

Sense & sense organ

Skin – touch

Organs

Intestines, skin and bones, etc

Function

·         Helps in respiration

·         Excretion

·         Feelings the sense of touch

Eatable

Pop corn, bread and cake etc

AKASHA (SPACE)

In the nature it’s the sky. It is said to be the first element originated .this is element is important all other as rest as get place to stay in this mahabhutas. In similar manner in human body also this element also provides space for different organs, because without space of this whole world would have been a big mass

It has no particles nor does it have any taste

Sense and sense organ

Ear-hearing

Organs

Abdomen, intestines, bones, ear, and all cavities in the body

Functions

·         In the human it provides space to respective place   of all organs

·         Keep different organs and cells separate from each other

·         Function of hearing is particularly by space element

Foods

Pop corns, bitter guard, capsicum etc

These pancha mahabhutas theory is also helpful in curing various disease, because it’s said in the theory of ayurveda that medicine or food stuff having qualities as characteristics similar to the aggravate the symptoms of the disease, whereas if we use the food stuff of opposite characteristics it helps in curing the disease by reducing the aggravated mahabhutas in the disease for e.g.  If a person suffering from hyper acidity if he is still continuously eating the food stuff which is rich in fire element naturally his symptoms of the disease will be aggravated more, where as food stuff rich in prithvi mahabhutas helps in decreasing the symptoms of acidity

Diet – obesity

Diet – obesity

Diet – obesity

·         6-7 cup of water (500ml) in empty stomach followed with brisk walking for an 1-2 km or perform suryanamaskara

7.oo am       -        Ashguard juice or hotwater with honey

9.00 am                -              Idli / dosai/ chappathi / puttu/ appam  4 nos or 250 gm with boiled vegetable 1 cup

11.00 am              -              lemon juice with honey / buttermilk – 200ml

1 pm                      -              2 cup of rice with boiled(250gm) with half cup half boiled vegetable

4 pm                      -              wheat gress juice / amla juice (diluted) – 200 ml

8 pm                      -              4 chappati + boiled vegetable 1 cup

Go to bed 2 hrs after dinner

Tips on Eye Care

Correct positioning of your computer, keyboard and typing copy is essential. Your screen should be positioned about an arm's length from your eyes and 20 degrees below eye level. Consider foot and wrist rests for added comfort.

Lighting can make all the difference

Room lighting should be diffuse, not direct, to reduce glare and reflections from your screen. Look into an internal or external glare screen and be sure to set your colour, contrast and brightness levels to suit you.

A little extra help for your glasses

Anti-reflective coatings on the lenses of your glasses can be applied by your optometrist to reduce discomfort and to ease reduced vision from bright and/or flickering light sources such as VDTs and fluorescent lights. And don't forget, your doctor of optometry can talk to you about eyeglasses designed specifically for people who use computers a lot.

Take time out, our 20-20-20 rule

Step I :-

After every 20 minutes of looking into the computer screen, turn your head and try to look at any object placed at least 20 feet away. This changes the focal length of your eyes, a must-do for the tired eyes.

Step II :-

Try and blink your eyes for 20 times in succession, to moisten them.

Step III :-

Time permitting of course, one should walk 20 paces after every 20 minutes of sitting in one particular posture. Helps blood circulation for the entire body.

It's all in the blinking

Did you know that on average we blink 12 times per minute? But wait, did you know that when we're on the computer we only blink 5 times per minute? That can add up to dry eyes. Relieve the discomfort by using artificial tear drops or gels and remember to blink!

Palming

Sit straight at your workstation and rub your palms against each other till you feel them warm. The warmth of your palms helps soothe and relax tired eyes. Then, lightly cup your eyes with your palms and relax for 60 seconds. Count the seconds in your mind. Repeat this exercise two to three times whenever your eyes feel tired, or as often as you want. While palming, you can either rest your elbows on your desk or keep away from the desk and cup your eyes. Both ways are fine.

Splash water on your face

During breaks, splash water on your face while closing your eyes. This has an overall relaxing effect and helps you feel refreshed.

Use tea bags

Keep two used tea bags in the refrigerator before you leave for work. Once you are home, place the tea bags on your eyes for a few minutes as you relax. This not only soothes tired eyes, but also reduces puffiness.

Eat healthy

Incorporate Vitamins A, C, and E on a daily basis; eat citrus fruits, green leafy veggies, tomatoes, spinach, poultry and dairy products. Pack a box of chopped carrots, cucumber and fresh fruits and munch in-between meals at the office.

10 tips to keep away breast cancer

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, experts from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and its clinical care partner, the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, have offered 10 tips to keep away breast cancer.

 

The 10 tips provided by Anne McTiernan, director of the Hutchinson Center's Prevention Center, a member of the Center's Public Health Sciences Division, and author of "Breast Fitness" (St. Martin's Press):

1. Avoid becoming overweight

Obesity raises the risk of breast cancer after menopause, the time of life when breast cancer most often occurs. Try to maintain a body-mass index under 25.

 

2. Eat healthy to avoid tipping the scale

Embrace a diet high in vegetables and fruit and low in sugared drinks, refined carbohydrates and fatty foods. Eat lean protein such as fish or chicken breast and eat red meat in moderation, if at all. Eat whole grains. Choose vegetable oils over animal fats.

 

3. Keep physically active, even when begun later in life.

It reduces overall breast-cancer risk by about 10 percent to 30 percent. All it takes is moderate exercise like a 30-minute walk five days a week.

 

4. Drink little or no alcohol

Alcohol use is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.

 

5. Avoid hormone replacement therapy

Menopausal hormone therapy increases risk for breast cancer. If you must take hormones to manage menopausal symptoms, avoid those that contain progesterone and limit their use to less than three years. "Bioidentical hormones" and hormonal creams and gels are no safer than prescription hormones and should also be avoided.

 

6. Consider taking an oestrogen-blocking drug

Women with a family history of breast cancer or who are over age 60 should talk to their doctor about the pros and cons of oestrogen-blocking drugs such as tamoxifen and raloxifene.

 

7. Don't smoke

Research suggests that long-term smoking is associated with increased risk of breast cancer in some women.

 

8. Breast-feed your babies for as long as possible

Women who breast-feed their babies for at least a year in total have a reduced risk of developing breast cancer later.

 

9. Participate in a research study

The Hutchinson Center is home to several studies that are looking at ways to reduce the risk for breast cancer.

 

10. Get fit and support breast cancer research at the same time

Regular physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. Ascend some of the world's most breathtaking peaks while raising vital funds for and awareness of breast cancer research.