Food consumed will not provide good health unless it is digested properly. Even if the food is high quality and pure, it will be harmful to the body if it is not fully digested. The digestion of food is carried out in the stomach (jathar) by what is referred to metaphorically as a “fire” (agni).

In addition to the “stomach fire” - jatharagni, twelve other types of fire operate in the body with responsibility for various metabolic activities. There are seven dhatu agnis for the formation of tissues (dhatus) and five bhuta agnis responsible for the integration of the various elements (panch mahabhutas).

The agnis/fires are descriptive categories for the action of various types of enzymes and metabolic processes. Of the thirteen types of agnis, the most important is the digestive fire/jatharagni. The concept of the digestive fire (jatharagni) is significant due to the central role of the digestive process in the functioning and formation of nutritive fluid (ahara rasa), the physical elements (dosas), tissues (dhatus) and wastes (malas).

It is vital to maintain the balanced functioning of jatharagni, as all the other agnis depend on this, as well as all the dhatus, in order to receive the proper nourishment. Prior to starting a systematic therapy for any disease, defects in the agnis are considered and investigated by the physician, and efforts are made to correct them using herbal remedies that stimulate their functioning.

The stimulation with herbs increases the activity of the agni/s, enhancing the formation of tissues/dhatus and assisting the elimination of wastes/mala and toxic deposits/ama. This stimulation of the agnis occurs after identifying the location of the blockage of srotas (channels) and determining the specific medicine appropriate for that agni. Once the particular agnis are stimulated, they become more active and assist in the excretion of wastes.

The four states of Agni

When dosas are aggravated, the functions of all the internal systems and agnis are affected. Four different states of agni exist in the body. Of these various states, three are due to the aggravation of each dosa respectively (vata, pitta, kapha) and the fourth state is considered the balanced state.

1. Visamagni
This is an erratic and unstable agni state, arising due the influence of vata. The functioning of agni is variable - the jatharagni sometimes digests food normally, and at other times slowly. This type of agni is often found in people with a vata dosa or when vata is aggravated. Symptoms of visamagni include constipation, distension or swelling of the abdomen, dysentery, colic type pain and wind, gas or gurgling sounds in the intestines.

2. Tikshagni
The function of agni becomes too fast or strong in this state, which is due to an aggravation of pitta. It is often seen in people with a predominantly pitta constitution, or when pitta is disturbed. The jatharagni becomes hyperactive when in the tikshagni state, and can digest even large quantities of food in a very short amount of time, leaving the person feeling constantly hungry. Symptoms of this state of agni include a dry mouth and palate, a burning sensation in the stomach and excessive thirst.

3. Mandagni
The agni begins to function at a minimal rate in this condition, which is often found in people with kapha aggravation or constitution. The jatharagni cannot digest even a small quantity of food. Symptoms including nausea, vomiting, heaviness in the stomach, laziness, coughing, coating of the tongue and excessive salivation may be experienced when agni is in this condition.

4. Samagni
The functioning of agni is normal and stable in this state, indicative of the balanced state of the three dosas in the body. Jatharagni can easily digest the normal diet and extracts the proper nourishment. All the tissues/dhatus, cells and organs receive sufficient nutrition and a condition of good health is maintained.

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