Ayurveda and Digestion

According to the principles of Ayurveda, the key to health begins with good digestion. Agni is the biological fire that governs metabolism & digestion. It is part of the Pitta system of the body and is the heat-energy of the Pitta dosha. Many different enzymes are responsible for the transformation of food into substances that can be absorbed by the body and nourish the tissues. Agni is the term used to describe these metabolic processes. The acidic nature of agni means it literally ‘cooks’ the food to allow the body to digest and assimilate it. If agni is not strong, the undigested material accumulates and becomes toxic. Over time this toxic material or ama accumulates in weak areas of the body and leads to illness and disease.