Digestion is synchronization of many small processes. Food first goes to mouth where it is mixed with a kapha called bodhak-kapha which helps it disintegrate and produces sweet taste. Then it goes to stomach where it is mixed with kledaka-kapha which helps moisten it further. Then food goes to grahani that is small bowel. There it is mixed with pachak pitta which, being hot in property, actually changes the properties of food in order to make it absorbable. Pachak pitta is a seat of jatharagni (digestive power). During this stage of digestion, samana vata is necessary for proper digestion. Because this vata helps normal movement of intestines and proper secretion of pachak pitta. Further the liquified and digested food (chyme) travels through the length of small intestine and the liquid that is absorbed (chyle) is called ahara rasa, which is further converted to rasa-dhatu (which is first dhatu). During our phone conversation I did refer to this 'rasa dhatu.' Improper rasadhatu or lack in rasadhatu may cause dark circles around eyes (of course there are other causes for this too). Now, after most of the ahara rasa is absorbed, the remaining part of food is 'mala' that is waste material, this gets accumulated in large bowel. This needs to be excreted. Evacuation of the large bowel is done with the help of apana vata. If this function of apana vata is disturbed, this leads to kind of back-pressure and improper functioning of samana vata leading to digestion problem. E.g., if pachak pitta is secreted, but not utilized, it will not only hamper digestion but the pitta will be misdirected leading to pitta symptoms. Same thing is true about kapha.
Furthermore digestion at subtler levels occurs with the help of 13 different 'agni's that convert food into body parts. One jatharagni that converts raw food into absorbable food, seven dhatvagnis that create dhatus plus five panchabhautic agnis that create mahabhutas. Digestion may be weak at any of these levels. I know this was fairly lengthy, but digestion is such a vast subject and there are so many subtleties.
Furthermore digestion at subtler levels occurs with the help of 13 different 'agni's that convert food into body parts. One jatharagni that converts raw food into absorbable food, seven dhatvagnis that create dhatus plus five panchabhautic agnis that create mahabhutas. Digestion may be weak at any of these levels. I know this was fairly lengthy, but digestion is such a vast subject and there are so many subtleties.
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Re: Digestion
Wed, May 2, 2007 - 9:36 AM<Improper rasadhatu or lack in rasadhatu may cause dark circles around eyes>
I had this issue when I was detoxing from gluten, wheat and dairy. it's gotten better but I have some digestive issues and the dark circles occasionally come and go. I'm on probiotics which helps and on a 80% raw food diet. This really intrigues me because I know when I get stressed, I get constipated (which is a common thing). I don't know. when you mentioned dark circles under the eyes, this post really caught my eye.
thank you for sharing this information.
All the best,
Liz
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Re: Digestion
Mon, May 14, 2007 - 8:02 PMWhat kind of weakness would cause a fast pulse upon eating carbohydrates?Do you know much about this?It resulves after the food is digested a bit more and starts maybe 30 minutes after eating and resolves 30 minutes after. -
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Re: Digestion
Tue, May 15, 2007 - 1:35 AMIt is known that blood supply to the GI tract is increased when the food is being digested. This is because large volume of blood is needed during the process of digestion to facilitate motility of intestines, secretion of digestive juices, and absorption of food. Also, the process of digestion needs some energy. This diversion of blood supply may lead to increased pulse rate.
I do not think this is abnormal unless it produces some discomfort (eg, palpitation). In that case, it may be related to rasa dhatu and its vikshepa (spreading all over the body) by the vyana-vayu.
There was a study done in Pune University to observe the changes that occur in the body during the process of digestion. I recall only some results regarding weight changes, which were surprising. It was concluded that proper digestion leads actually to immediate reduction in weight!! (only a little bit though). I will try to find the thesis and see the results of pulse monitoring before, during, and after digestion. I will let you know if I get hold of it.
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Re: Digestion
Tue, May 15, 2007 - 12:45 PMIt is quite a fast palpitation and causes discomfort. Do you know if there are any herbs that can be taken to help this condition?Especially herbs that are quite safe. -
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Re: Digestion
Tue, May 15, 2007 - 10:14 PMA combination of patol, kutaj, katuka and licorice in equal proportion may help. Try taking 1 gram after meals twice for 7 days and let me know.
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Re: Digestion
Mon, May 21, 2007 - 10:45 AMI'm Vata-Pitta and have been experiencing increased digestive troubles in the past few months (bloating, gas, light diarrea or constipation) even when eating a pacifying Vata diet and taking Triphala. I just finished a one week all veggies and fruits cleanse, and might be feeling a little better. Any suggestions to go back to an normal diet?
Thanks in advance for your help:) -
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Re: Digestion
Tue, May 22, 2007 - 10:33 PMYour symptoms are mainly in lower part of GI system. These suggests more of a vata imbalance, especially apana vata (the one that controls excretion). It is better for you to have well-cooked food instead of salads and fruits. Soups, moong dal and rice are best to start with and you may advance gradually to wheat and non-veg foods. This gradual increase is called as sansarjan-krama (sequence). The key is, you should see that previous food is well-digested and then advance gradually heavier foods. Diet should be planned according to individual needs, considering prakruti, allergy and intolerance, etc. For constipation, I usually prefer avoiding any laxatives too often. This may weaken the system in long run. An old vaidya here in Bombay used to give an example-a weak horse cannot be made to gallop by whipping. You must make him healthy. Similarly, the strength of intestines should be improved to make them function properly. -
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Re: Digestion
Fri, May 25, 2007 - 11:24 AMI would like to chime in and agree with cm, based on my own experiences and how my Ayruvedic consultant treated me. I would like to add it is very helpful to make an appointment with an expert and see them in person for individual attention and prescription. It is very easy for Vata especially to invent distractions and false symptoms. -
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Re: Digestion
Thu, February 7, 2008 - 8:55 AMCan anyone recommend an Ayurvedic consultant in the bay area (possible San Francisco and reasonable price)?
thanks,
-Liz
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Re: Digestion
Mon, March 31, 2008 - 2:43 AMDear CM, I liked very much the analogy that you dont get better service from an old horse by beating him, similarly we must gradually strengthen the digestive system, so this is something I really want to do, with your help. My digestion never really had a problem until my first pilgrimage from Canada to Mayapur, Navadvipa, W.B., in 1977. I contracted a severe case of amoebic dystentry and had to be rushed to the Calcutta research Hospital and put on glucose for a couple of weeks. Before this they put me on this strong anti-biotic, Chlorostretomysine. Im not a big fan of the Medical Mafia, but when desperation, I reluctantly reached out to the allopathic community, not knowing much about what the ayurvedic remedy would have been. Now 30 yrs have passed. I used to weigh 155 lbs for most of my life, but for the lst 10 yrs went up to 175, and it seems impossible to lose. My main concern is that I am always feeling tired after taking prasada. I try to follow a vata pitta pacifying diet for the most part, as they are my doshas, but I am very frustrated with this sleepiness after a meal. I go into this deep sleep, and feel like I was on sedative when I wake up !? I want to get back to a strict sadhana of going to bed very early, and rising very early, but I am too awake at night , my "biological clock" is out of order, due to many late nights online, and I usually get busy at that time answering emails, and other stimulating things Much more self discipline is required .. Id like to learn exactly what to do with the Laghana that you mentioned to strengthen digestion, and is this something I do for one week or how long ? I have lots of Sushi type rice on hand from when I was running my own catering service, high in gluten I guess, but I could I do the Laghana, peya, etc...with this as well ? Any thoughts or guidance would be much appreciated so that I can do more seva for the Lord and for His family. Pranams
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Re: Digestion
Thu, February 7, 2008 - 2:29 PMliz,
look for dr. jay apte who is connected with the ayurvedic institute in the bay area.
