Abstract

REFINING UNDERSTANDING OF ROLE OF ‘AGNI’ IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF AUTO-IMMUNE DISORDERS

Dr. Roopendra Singh Bhati*, Prof. A. Rama Murthy

Abstract

The ‘Agni’ is the physiological components of digestion and metabolism which transform exogenous substances (food) into endogenous (body) substances. According to its function and site of action it has been divided into 13 distinct subtypes viz. Jatharagni -1, Dhatwagni-7, Bhutagni-5. Balanced equilibrium state of ‘Agni’ nourishes the ‘Doshas’ and ‘Dhatus’ and creates ‘Ojas’, ‘Tejas’ and ‘Prana’. ‘Agni’ is very much parallel with ‘Bala’ and the same ‘Bala’ is related to our immunity. So, whenever there is a hyper or hypo activity of ‘Agni’ the metabolism gets disturbed. This in turn give rise to creation of ‘Ama’ (undigested intermediate product of digestion) first at ‘Jatharaagni’ level followed by at ‘Dhatvagni’ level the cells fail to flush toxins and waste products of digestion, this is called ‘Dhatugat Ama’ (cellular toxins). This ‘Ama’ forms an ideal platform for many diseases by causing ‘Srotodushti’ and ‘Srotavarodha’. The presence of ‘Aam’ from molecular level to systemic level act as toxin and antigenic materials, eliciting an immune reaction which further produces inflammatory reaction at multiple sites of the body. Modern diseases that are a direct result of ‘Ama’ accumulation include Rheumatoid Arthritis, Psoriasis, Irritable bowel syndrome, Lupus, Chron’s disease, Ulcerative colitis, etc. The cause is poorly understood by modern science. Ayurveda suggests that the attacks of the immune system are not accidental, but it is a part of self -defence against a harmful metabolic molecule named ‘Ama’. Hence this article mainly emphasizes the understanding of ‘Agni’ is one of the important concepts for the understanding of autoimmune diseases process as well as to prescribe ayurvedic guidelines of treatment.

Keywords: .