Strengthening Agni Bala for Optimal Digestion this Monsoon - Dr.Shivani Pandey

According to Ayurveda, the whole year is divided into 6 seasons which is mainly based upon climatic changes, temperature ranges, changes in the day-to-night cycle and the circadian rhythm of human body. As we are also the part of this whole eco-system thus, it has impact on the human physiology. Thus, everyone must follow the seasonal regimen as they are according to the dosha (predominant dosha in that particular season), bala (strength of the person which changes in every season) and agni (digestive fire of the person in that particular season). Thus, we need to take care of the Loka-Purusha Samya i.e., the dynamic equilibrium between the human being and the environment. If you don’t take care of this equilibrium then, the doshas may get aggravated and lead to the diseased conditions. Acharya Charak has mentioned about the various diet, lifestyle changes according to these seasonal variations and has adopted the Samanya-Vishesha siddhanta for the same.

How is your agni bala (digestive fire) in the rainy season?

The rainy season i.e., Varsha ritu (Mid July- Mid Sep) falls under Visarg kala or Dakshinayana (when Sun moves towards Southern hemisphere of Earth). During this time period, the bala (strength) of the persons starts to increase gradually which turns out to be maximum during Hemanta Ritu (Early winter season i.e., Nov- Dec). Thus, this is a transitional phase where the bala starts to increase, gradually which was earlier reduced or affected by Grishma ritu (Summer season). The Agni of the patient is weak during this season as the body is weak after enduring a long period of dehydration. During these two seasons namely, Grishma ritu (Summer season) and Varsha ritu (Rainy season) the bala of the patient and their agni bala is the lowest.

Which doshas get vitiated during this season?

Unfortunately, all the three doshas i.e., Tridosha gets vitiated and Vata is in prakopa avastha. Thus, all you can do is to take care of your Jatharagni i.e., digestive fire.

Why Jatharagni has been given so much importance in Ayurveda?

As the process of digestion and nourishment to our body takes place by Jatharagni, 7 Dhatvagni and 5 Bhutagni. But, the very first digestion in our body takes place from Jatharagni as the formation of dhatus (tissues) cannot take place from undigested food items. There are four states of Jatharagni and these are Mandagni (weak metabolic or digestive fire), Vishamagni (irregular i.e., sometimes weak and sometimes strong), Tikshnagni (strong metabolic or digestive fire) and Samagni (a normal state which is neither weak nor strong). The impairment of the Jatharagni gives rise to several diseases. Thus, consume the diet and follow the lifestyle regime which is good for you. I have already mentioned about this in the following blog - Click Here.

How to assess the strength of your Agnibala?

The best way to understand the strength of your Agnibala is by assessing its capacity of digesting food. Although, there are many questionnaires available on the internet by which you can understand it but, I would suggest a Agnibala assessment tool given below, by which you can assess your Agnibala. So, After understanding your Agnibala, you can decide your quantity of food and meal time during this monsoon or even in any season!

If you are a mandagni person you can apply Nabhi Sutra Daily digestion and detox belly button oil daily in your belly button. If, you are a vishamagni or samagni person then, you can apply it whenever you feel you are unable to digest your food. This will help to improve your digestive fire. And, I don’t think a Tikshagni person will ever need it as they are able to digest almost all kind of food items and even in larger quantities.

References:

• Charak Samhita
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5871217/