Last verified: April 2026

Digestive Conditions — Grahani, Ajirna, Vibandha

ग्रहणी · अजीर्ण · विबन्ध — Malabsorption · Indigestion · Constipation

All digestive conditions in classical Ayurveda trace to one root: impaired Agni. Charaka Samhita, Chikitsasthana dedicates more space to digestive conditions than to any other category — because restoring Agni is the prerequisite for treating every other condition in the system.

Important noticeThis page documents what classical Ayurvedic texts record. This is not medical advice. Diagnosis and treatment require assessment by a qualified practitioner (BAMS or MD Ayurveda). Full disclaimer →

Charaka Samhita, Chikitsasthana 15.3

Mandagni mulam sarva vyadhinam — impaired Agni is the root of all diseases. This verse establishes the clinical priority: no treatment proceeds effectively without first addressing the state of the patient's digestive fire.

The four classical Agni states

Charaka Samhita documents four functional states of Agni that determine digestive capacity and disease susceptibility. Understanding which state the patient is in determines the treatment approach.

Sama Agni — balanced digestive fire. All foods are properly processed; no Ama accumulates; the patient digests well regardless of food quality. The healthy baseline documented in classical texts.

Vishama Agni — erratic/irregular fire. Alternating strong and weak digestion; variable appetite; produces Ama intermittently. Associated with Vata dominance. Documented clinical picture: gas, bloating, variable bowel habit, gurgling abdomen, anxiety around eating.

Tikshna Agni — sharp/excessive fire. Burns through food quickly; strong hunger; produces heat-related digestive symptoms. Associated with Pitta dominance. Clinical picture: hyperacidity, burning sensation, loose stools, excessive thirst, heat intolerance.

Manda Agni — sluggish/slow fire. Cannot properly process food; produces Ama consistently. Associated with Kapha dominance. Clinical picture: heaviness after eating, nausea, coating on tongue, slow digestion, weight gain, lack of appetite.

Grahani Dosha — malabsorption

Grahani refers to the small intestine and the seat of Jatharagni. Grahani Dosha is documented in Charaka Samhita, Chikitsasthana 15 as a chronic condition of malabsorption — food passes through without being properly absorbed (Atisara — diarrhoea) or is retained too long (Vibandha — constipation), alternating unpredictably. The Samprapti: long-term Agni impairment → Ama formation → Grahani tissue damage → chronic malabsorption. Treatment is long-term Agni restoration before Shodhana.

Ajirna — indigestion

Charaka Samhita documents three types of Ajirna by Dosha: Ama Ajirna (Kapha — food not digested, remains as Ama; bloating, nausea, heaviness, tongue coating); Vidagdha Ajirna (Pitta — food partially digested with excess heat; acidity, burning, sour belching); Vishtabdha Ajirna (Vata — food retained too long without proper digestion; gas, distension, pain, constipation). Each type requires different herbs and treatment approach.

Primary classical herbs — digestive conditions

Deepaniya group (Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 4): Shunthi (ginger), Pippali, Maricha — the Trikatu compound. Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica) — the most potent classical Deepana-Pachana herb. Triphala — tridoshic digestive regulator and gentle laxative. Bilva (Aegle marmelos) — documented specifically for Atisara and Grahani in Charaka Samhita. Hingwashtaka Churna — asafoetida compound for Vata-type digestive conditions.

Pathya (diet) in digestive conditions

Classical texts document specific foods for each digestive condition type. Universal digestive Pathya: warm, freshly cooked, easily digestible foods; eating at the right time (not before the previous meal is digested); eating in a calm state; Shata Pavali (100 steps after meals). Apathya (contraindicated): cold foods and drinks; leftovers; incompatible food combinations (Viruddha Ahara); eating while emotionally distressed.