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Agni
~ The Digestive Fire
A great deal of attention is given in Ayurveda
to the body’s ability to assimilate nutrients from the food
we eat. Sharpening and balancing the ’digestive fire’ or
agni is a crucial part of attaining and maintaining optimal
health in the Ayurvedic tradition. Even if the very best
supplements, herbs and foods are given, the body cannot
utilize them if they cannot be properly processed. Just
as a chimney will become incrusted with soot if the fires
within are not burning cleanly, weak agni causes malabsorption,
toxins to accumulate, and lowered metabolism.
Agni can be promoted by eating in accordance
with your constitutional dosha, utilizing Ayurvedic food
combining guidelines, seasonal guidelines, and other suggestions.
Other ways to promote and improve agni include:
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Chew food really well, to break down starches
and prepare for next stage of digestion.
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Practice food combining.
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Eat the amount of food that could easily
fit in your two cupped hands and no more.
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Avoid cold and iced food and drink, rather
drink warm, hot or room temperature liquids.
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Drink small amount of warm water or tea
only with meals, avoid large glasses of soda, tea, milk,
alcohol or coffee with meals to avoid dousing the digestive
fire.
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Include all 6 tastes in your diet: sweet,
bitter, pungent, salty, sour and astringent.
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Properly spice foods per your dosha with
churnas and lavish use of fresh herbs.
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Take your time eating slowly, in a peaceful,
positive environment. Avoid reading, watching tv, and
stress during meals.
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Prepare food in harmony.
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Eat natural, fresh foods, organic as much
as possible.
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Avoid stale, lifeless, junk and microwaved
food.
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