September 10, 2021

Agni: The Power of Fire

BY: Susan Borecki


Many years ago I took a sabbatical from my legal practice and enrolled as a student at the Ayurvedic Institute. Ayurveda is the science of life based on the ancient Vedas. Yoga is the most well-known Vedic discipline in the West. Another discipline that is becoming more widely known is Ayurveda, the “Mother of all Healing.” Health and healing according to Ayurveda begin with Agni.

Agni is Sanskrit for fire. Agni is hot, light, sharp, and dry. Agni governs innumerable physiological processes including digestion and the assimilation of food at the cellular and more subtle levels.

Digestion is key to health and wellness according to Ayurveda. Foods are digested differently so one needs to know which foods are compatible with one another. For example, poultry (including eggs), should not be eaten with dairy (such as milk and cheese). Similarly, dairy should be eaten separately from fruits. Fruits should be eaten alone, and not served on top of cereal or baked into bread or muffins. Grains, including wheat and rice, combine well with beans, vegetables, meat, nuts, eggs and cheese.

If one’s agni is strong, the rules can be followed less stringently. If one’s agni is poor, incompatible food combining can result in incomplete digestion. The body is not always easily able to eliminate undigested food. Accumulated over time, undigested food becomes a toxin called Ama.

Ama is cold, dull, wet, heavy and viscous. Ama can result in indigestion, fatigue and cloudy thinking. Ama accumulation can be seen on the tongue. A clear tongue, free of a white or brown coating, can be an indication of good agni. A coated tongue may be a sign of ama in the body. Ama can collect into the deep tissues and, if not addressed, can result in weight gain, dullness and ill health.

According to Ayurveda, food will absorb the ambient energies. You can improve the quality of your digestion, therefore, by being mindful of your thoughts as you cook and eat. Be fully present and emotionally grounded while handling food.

Don’t argue or entertain disagreeable thoughts while cooking and eating. And never criticize your food. Your food fuels your activities, your thoughts and your feelings. It also is incorporated into your tissues including the mind. If you don’t like a particular dish, then finish it quietly or put it aside.

You can improve your digestive fire by consuming simple, fresh and tasty meals. Think positive, good thoughts while you cook and eat your meals. Put off unpleasant topics for another time.

Kindle your agni with Agni Tea:

  • 1 quart water
  • 1 pinch cayenne
  • 2 handfuls minced fresh ginger root
  • 2 Tbs. cane sugar or other sweetener
  • 1 to 2 tsp. rock or sea salt
  • ½ a lime, squeezed

Put the first 5 ingredients in a pot and boil for 20 minutes. Add the lime juice and enjoy.

This article is for entertainment purposes only and is not to be used to diagnose or treat illness.