Agni is our digestive fire and it is responsible for our digestion. Instead of, “You are what you eat,” Ayurveda says, “You are what you digest.”
We can eat whatever you want, whenever we want and as much as we want, but if we don’t digest it properly, we will be in trouble. Since agni is literally like a burning fire in our digestive system, agni can run too hot, or not hot enough. The result of agni that is not properly functioning is ama. Ama is undigested food (it’s toxic!) and is responsible for 90% of all disease. Ama is the leftover goo that clogs, sticks, blocks, clouds, and creates heaviness in the body and mind.
Signs of healthy agni
• tongue is pink
• hungry for next meal
• regular bowel movements
• poop that floats
• clarity of mind
• clear, glowing skin
• good energy
Signs of weak agni
• whitish coating on tongue (sign of ama)
• weak or loss of appetite
• poop that sinks
• clouded thinking
• bloating, gas, constipation, distension
• lethargy or grogginess
Vata people have varied agni. Pitta people tend to have very strong agni because of their natural heat, however pittas need to make sure that their agni doesn’t get too hot. Agni that is too hot can burn the tissues which also results in ama. Kapha have low agni which results in kapha imbalances like lethargy, obesity, heaviness, and dullness of the senses.
Tips on keeping agni strong
• Small breakfast. Our agni is just a tiny fire in the morning…just barely burning from last night’s fasting. We should have a small breakfast to kindle the little fire because if we eat too much, we will squelch it.
• Large lunch. Agni is strongest at noon, so lunch should be the biggest meal of the day. It makes sense because agni relates to the sun. It’s all about nature…when nature is warm, so are we, so let’s use nature to our advantage!
• Small dinner. The sun is going down and agni follows suit, preparing for sleep. If we follow the regimen of eating a large lunch, we shouldn’t be starving at dinner.
• Eat with peace of mind. If our mind is focused elsewhere (eating lunch while working) we are not present or aware of what we are putting in our bodies. That’s 1/2 of digestion right there!
• Ghee. Great for kindling agni.
• Spices. Using spices depending on constitution to increase internal heat.
• Less Water. Don’t drink a lot of water with the meal. Some water is necessary, but too much will put out the fire. Drink water about an hour after the meal.
• Hunger pangs. Wait until there is real hunger and you have clear burps (sounds gross, I know) before eating the next meal.
2 responses so far ↓
1 Erin // Jul 13, 2010 at 7:49 pm
What do you mean burps? Do our bodies naturally start burping before meals? I usually tend to burp after meals….whoops!
2 Monica // Jul 13, 2010 at 8:40 pm
mm…it might depend on the person. For example years ago my biggest compliant about eating a donut, was that I could “burp at 2:00 pm and still taste the donut!!” Which, to me was gross! That my friend, is knowing that it takes hours and hours to digest a donut! To answer your question, we will burp when there is air and space and fire in our belly – signaling that it’s time to eat! Maybe just pay attention for now – pay attention to when you eat lunch and if you burp at 4:00, if you still taste lunch. A little narsty, but you get my drift. Holler with more questions – I am not shy nor do I get annoyed with questions :):) namaste Erin!
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