Agni is the sanskrit word for fire. In Ayurveda agni is referred to as the fire that promotes digestion and transformation. Agni is that which determines which substances enter our cells and tissues and which substances should be removed as waste. In this way, agni is the gatekeeper, the maintainer, the regulator of our life. Ayurveda identifies a vast range of functions for which agni is directly responsible, but it also teaches us that impaired agni is at the root of all imbalances and diseases. A happy belly is a happy and healthy you!

What Healthy Digestion Looks Like:

• Normal Appetite
• Clean Tongue (no coating)
• Proper appreciation of taste
• Good digestion and balanced metabolism
• Steady weight
• Normal blood pressure
• Good immunity
• Sound sleep
• Calm mind
• Clear perception
• Positive attitude
• Longevity

What Weak Digestion Looks Like:

• Emotional disturbances, with an increased tendency toward fear, anxiety, anger, confusion, lethargy or depression
• Low energy or fatigue
• Suppressed or overactive appetite
• Indigestion: gas, bloating, constipation, nausea, hyperacidity, loose stools, a sense of heaviness, feeling tired or mentally foggy after meals
• A tendency toward congestion in the sinuses, the lymph, or even the mind.

While ultimately, an overall healthy lifestyle is what will keep our digestion performing optimally, we are human beings and will most likely experience weak agni or digestive issues every now and again. Whether you’ve always struggled with keeping your digestive tract on track or it’s a present struggle, Ayurveda has a number of Ayurvedic formulations and remedies to help you regain your gut health.

Ayurvedic Formulations for Overall Healthy Digestion

Triphala

Triphala is a powerful Ayurvedic herbal formulation. Tri, meaning three, implies that it is made up of 3 fruits: Amalaki, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki. While each of these fruits can benefit our well-being on their own, the three of them together create what is called a Rasayana. A Rasayana is a refined herbal and fruit combination that is known for rejuvenating the body and mind and promoting a long and healthy life. Triphala is also known for its power to strengthen the digestive process and remove toxins. Because of it’s mild laxative effect, it enhances the health of the gastrointestinal tract by rejuvenating the membrane lining of the intestines and stimulating bile production. The three fruits of Triphala have unique benefits:

• Amalaki, aka the Indian GooseBerry, strengthens the immune system and cools the body. The cooling quality of amalaki helps promote liver health and maintains the general balance of the pitta dosha. The herb is also filled with vitamin C and antioxidants, which promote healthy skin.
• Bibhitaki holds an astringent or drying quality that is great for clearing up respiratory issues and maintaining the general balance of the kapha dosha. It also encourages strength and tone within the digestive system, and improves digestive motion and efficiency.
• Haritaki holds the qualities of hot and rough. These two qualities create a scraping like action, which promotes healthy digestion and helps the body eliminate toxins. Haritaki also contains chebulic acid, which increases the production of insulin, which helps lower blood sugar levels throughout the body.

Trikatu

Trikatu is a classic Ayurvedic herbal formulation that translates to, “three spices,” and is composed of black pepper, long pepper, and ginger. It is a warming blend of pungent spices that help to increase agni (our ability to digest) and reduce the kapha dosha. It is a powerful blend that affects the rejuvenation of the respiratory system, immune system and digestive system. The three spices of Trikatu have unique benefits:

• Black Pepper has both cleansing and antioxidant properties and plays the role of helping transport the benefits of other herbs to different parts of the body. Black pepper helps enhance the flow of oxygen to the brain, as well as enhances digestion and circulation. Black pepper is a warming and pungent spice that is excellent for pacifying the kapha dosha and helping to rejuvenate the respiratory system due to its drying qualities.
• Long Pepper, also known as Pippali, is similar to black pepper, but more heating. It stimulates the metabolism and the production of the digestive enzymes, enhancing our ability to digest and assimilate nutrients, as well as burn and release toxins. It is helpful in maintaining an ideal respiratory system, supporting and clearing the lungs for comfortable breathing. Long pepper helps to pacify excess kapha dosha.
• Ginger is a universal medicine and also adds an abundance of flavor to any dish! It is a digestive aid that also aids in the elimination of natural toxins in the body by liquifying ama (toxic build up). Ginger has a warming effect on the body, helping to reduce excess kapha dosha and vata dosha. It also supports healthy circulation, regulates blood pressure, and promotes cleansing.

Ayurvedic Remedies for Bloating by Dosha

Each of the Ayurvedic doshas can experience bloating. In order to remedy this all too common imbalance, it’s good to know which type of bloating or doshic imbalance you are experiencing.

Vata Remedies

The vata dosha is composed of the elements, air and space, making it the dosha more susceptible to experience bloating. Bloating due to a vata dosha imbalance tends to feel more airy and expansive and can be alleviated by passing gas or releasing the excess air that has congregated in the stomach. If you suffer from this type of bloating after eating a meal, it’s always a good idea to write down what you ate for that meal as well as your emotional state while eating, as our mindset can also play a huge part in the proper function of our digestive system. For relief from this type of bloating after a meal, try sipping on fennel tea directly after your meal, as this simple remedy will help alleviate gas build up. Fennel Tea Recipe

• 1/2 tsp of fennel seeds
• 6-8oz hot water
• Steep for 3-5 minutes

If you suffer from this type of bloating regularly, try cumin tea or adding cumin to any dish you are cooking, as cumin stimulates the secretion of digestive enzymes and accelerates the digestion process, thus helping you eliminate bloating. Cumin Tea Recipe

• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
• 6-8oz hot water
• Steep for 3-5 minutes

Note: It is recommended to drink tea first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Pitta Remedies

The pitta dosha is composed of the elements, fire and water, and normally does not bloat as often due to its robust agni or digestive fire. Bloating due to a pitta imbalance is usually caused by inflammation and can feel sharper in nature and sensitive to touch. This can make it feel difficult to bend over or even button pants. If you suffer from this type of bloating after eating a meal, it’s always a good idea to write down what you ate for that meal as well as your emotional state while eating, as our mindset can also play a huge part in the proper function of our digestive system. For relief from this type of bloating after a meal, try sipping on caraway tea directly after your meal, as this simple remedy will help good bacteria properly digest the food. It also helps to relax the intestinal tract to alleviate gas build up. Caraway Tea Recipe

• 1/2 tsp caraway seeds
• 6-8oz hot water
• Steep for 3-5 minutes

If you suffer from this type of bloating regularly, try golden milk tea or adding turmeric to the food you are preparing, as turmeric holds anti-inflammatory properties which can help reduce any symptoms of inflammation. Golden Milk Tea Recipe

• 1 cup of milk or milk alternative (coconut, almonds, soy, cashew)
• 1 tsp. turmeric
• 1 tsp. fresh grated ginger
• 1/2-1tbs. of coconut oil
• Agave or honey to taste
• 1 pinch of black pepper
• Heat milk and stir in ingredients

Kapha Remedies

The kapha dosha is composed of the elements, earth and water, which can cause a bloating that feels heavy and very uncomfortable. The heaviness associated with kapha bloating also causes everything in the body to slow down, including circulation. This means that another signal the body is giving us when experiencing a kapha imbalance is an overall feeling of being cold. If you suffer from this type of bloating after eating a meal, it’s always a good idea to write down what you ate for that meal as well as your emotional state while eating, as our mindset can also play a huge part in the proper function of our digestive system. Whether you experience this type of bloating after eating or regularly, try adding ginger to the mix. You can chew on fresh ginger or pickled ginger, make ginger tea, or add it to any dish that you’re preparing, as the enzymes in ginger can help break up and expel gas as well as stimulate movement in the digestive tract. Ginger Tea Recipe

• 1/2 tbsp fresh ginger
• 6-8oz hot water
• Steep for 5-10 minutes

Angela Glaz Ayurvedic Specialist and 500 Hour E-RYT