Agni, Ama

Transformation, digestion and warmth are due to Agni, also known as the fire element. Conversion of everything that enters the body from outside into something the body can use, or, in case it is unsuitable or useless, can excrete. The ingestion of food is probably the first thing that comes to mind, but also everything that enters the senses, and even emotions and thoughts, need to be digested. As a result of these actions, Agni is responsible for a proper digestion as well as the difference between a blurred and a clear mind. There is also a close relationship between mental digestion and the digestion of food. Whenever the senses are burdened too much, or if there is too much stress, the digestion of food will be disturbed. And the other way around, overload of your digestive tract can cause foggy and improper mental functions. 

Jatharagni specifically is the fire like activity in the alimentary tract, which takes care of the digestion of ingested food. This fire is also influenced by the state of the three Doshas. If those are in balance, food will be digested properly, just the way it is supposed to. Whenever Vata influences digestion out of proportion, there will be irregularity. Sometimes food will be digested too quickly and other times too slowly. If Pitta predominates, burning activity will be intense and digestion will be too fast, even when large amounts are eaten, whereas Kapha is responsible for slow and incomplete digestion of the food.

If fire is too strong, you could say that food chars, which causes the body to receive too little nutrition. The opposite situation will cause deposition of Ama in the body. Both scenarios can lead to much discomfort and illnesses.

Ama literally means ‘uncooked’ or ‘undigested’. It is a toxic waste product that arises from improper or incomplete digestion. It can accumulate in the body and by doing so cause damage. If Jatharagni cannot perform its task correctly, this maybe the case if you start eating again before your previous meal has been digested, or when your attention is somewhere else, like when you watch television during dinner, Ama will be the result. Ama can also occur on mental level, when emotions and impressions do not get the opportunity and time to be processed.

I think it is clear by now, in the interest of good health it is wise to keep the fire burning and balanced! That’s why Ayurveda offers a broad range of advices and herbs to achieve this.