Digestion-The Key to Health

 Ayurvedic Tips for Healthy Digestion

Dr.Roopa Kamath, Ayurveda Consultant, Institute of Applied Dermatology, Kasaragod, Kerala

Digestion Plays a Great Role: 

In Ayurveda‘s understanding of human health and illness. Ayurvedic science offers an elaborate and very detailed description of the body’s metabolic functions and their relationship to organ and tissue formation. It confirms the importance of efficient food conversion to supply the nutrients which enable each dhatu to perform its job. It also tells that health requires the proper elimination of the natural by-products occurring from the digestive processes.

For example-Imagine a car engine. When fuel is insufficient in a car then the compression is affected and the car moves very sluggishly.  You can also see the carbon accumulation on the valves and other parts of the engine due to incomplete combustion, damaging the engine and hindering the performance of the car, so in a similar manner if the metabolic conversion of food is incomplete then it can produce sluggish and incomplete energy, and also the undigested food becomes the source of degenerative diseases.

What is Responsible for Strong Efficient Digestion? 

The metabolic function and its relationship with health and diseases are coordinate by the tridoshas that is vata pitta and Kapha in the body. The disease process will start when the doshas natural relationship becomes imbalanced. Usually when one or more doshas becomes deficient or excessive in their functioning then it results in indigestion.

The key concept in the Ayurvedic way of understanding digestion is the “digestive fire” or the “agni”.This produces vitality, the glow and complexion, sight and is responsible for the action of dhatus. This digestive process contributes to the “jataraagni.

Indigestion or “AMA” is the inability to assimilate food and also the inability to eliminate metabolic waste products that result from the digestive process, thus aiding to diseases. It is also fascinating that the “rasa” or taste of the food has a very good influence on the digestion aspect. Understanding the categories of rasa can be very helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Pathy Ahara for Healthy Digestion

To improve your digestion there is certain Pathya ahara that can be followed as recommended in Ayurveda. It’s recommended to have spices like fresh ginger, turmeric, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, cardamom, hing, etc in your daily food. Have salt and sugar in moderation. Have legumes like mung dal, red lentils, etc. Fresh vegetable salads are good for the stomach and are full of nutrients. Warm herbal teas and unrefrigerated water should be consumed.

With all the above explanations it's clear that digestion is the key to a healthy and disease-free life. It is very important to eat a balanced meal as it’s clear that we are highly influenced by what we eat.