Physiology

Details

Category: Principles of Ayurved

Published on Monday, 08 July 2013 09:17

Written by Super User

Hits: 1158

Ayurved has a distinctive concept of how the human body is structured and functions. Very important aspects of health include digestion and accumulation of wastes. The digestive system is considered the key to good health. It is called jatharagni, meaning digestive fire. The state of agni determines how well food is assimilated into the body. If agni is weak, if too much food is consumed, or if food is eaten at an inappropriate time, it cannot be digested adequately. Rather than nourish the body, the food is transformed instead into a toxic residue known as ama.
     The waste (ama) circulates around the body and ultimately creates disease (imbalance). The basic tissues which maintain the body are known as dhatus. There are seven dhatus - plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow and reproductive fluid. The quality and quantity of each dhatu, and its balanced functioning, is another important factor for good health.
     Mala are the waste materials produced as a result of various metabolic activities in the body. The main mala are urine, feces and sweat. Proper elimination of mala is equally important for good health. Accumulation of mala causes blockages in the body which result in manifestation of various diseases. There are also invisible aspects to the human body, such as marmas (sensitive points), cakras (energy centers), nadis (energy channels) and prana (life air). This is more advanced theory relating to the subtle body.