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So, good or bad health begins in the gut  and the treatment is focused on the measures for maintaining the heath of digestive power (kayagni), thereby eliminating all the diseases of the whole body. This is the first branch of Ayurveda called “Kayachikitsa’.

So, good or bad health begins in the gut  and the treatment is focused on the measures for maintaining the heath of digestive power (kayagni), thereby eliminating all the diseases of the whole body. This is the first branch of Ayurveda called “Kayachikitsa’.

==The concept of digestion in Ayurveda==

==The concept of digestion in Ayurveda==

The whole digestive process in the gut starts right from the mouth, where there is the action of “bodhaka kapha” to start the process of digestion. Then it goes to the stomach (amashaya) where it is subjected to the action of "kledaka kapha" for adding the moisture content (kleda) to the food material. Subsequently, from the stomach (amashaya) it goes into the portion of the small intestine called "grahani" which is the seat of "pachaka [[pitta]]". The 6th internal layer  called "pittadhara kala" is also situated there. The main process of digestion occurs in this portion of the gut. It is followed by caecum (unduka) and large intestine (pakwashaya) where the separation of essence (sara) and excretory materials (kitta) occurs with the help of “samana [[vayu]]” which leads to the absorption and assimilation of nutrient portion and excretion of the waste products in the form of faeces ([[purisha]]) and urine ([[mutra]]) with the help of “apana vayu”.

The whole digestive process in the gut starts right from the mouth, where there is the action of “bodhaka [[kapha]]” to start the process of digestion. Then it goes to the stomach (amashaya) where it is subjected to the action of "kledaka [[kapha]]" for adding the moisture content (kleda) to the food material. Subsequently, from the stomach (amashaya) it goes into the portion of the small intestine called "grahani" which is the seat of "pachaka [[pitta]]". The 6th internal layer  called "pittadhara kala" is also situated there. The main process of digestion occurs in this portion of the gut. It is followed by caecum (unduka) and large intestine (pakwashaya) where the separation of essence (sara) and excretory materials (kitta) occurs with the help of “samana [[vayu]]” which leads to the absorption and assimilation of nutrient portion and excretion of the waste products in the form of faeces ([[purisha]]) and urine ([[mutra]]) with the help of “apana [[vayu]]”.

Here, the “kledaka kapha” can be represented in the form of mucin, which moistens the food materials and loosens its molecules. It buffers the action of the strong acid and inhibits the action of pepsin. It provides a protective layer to the stomach wall to prevent the corrosive effect and its digestion by pepsin. So, the functions of “kledaka kapha” are reflected mainly through the functions of mucin.

Here, the “kledaka [[kapha]]” can be represented in the form of mucin, which moistens the food materials and loosens its molecules. It buffers the action of the strong acid and inhibits the action of pepsin. It provides a protective layer to the stomach wall to prevent the corrosive effect and its digestion by pepsin. So, the functions of “kledaka [[kapha]]” are reflected mainly through the functions of mucin.

The action of kledaka kapha is also executed by the following secretions in the gut.

The action of kledaka [[kapha]] is also executed by the following secretions in the gut.

*Serous & mucous secretions of salivary glands & oesophagus.

*Serous & mucous secretions of salivary glands & oesophagus.

*Mucous secreted by epithelial cells of crypt's of Liberkuhn of the large intestine.

*Mucous secreted by epithelial cells of crypt's of Liberkuhn of the large intestine.

    

    

“Pachaka pitta” represents the digestives enzymes like trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypolypeptidase, pancreatic amylase, pancreatic lipase, cholesterol esterase, phospholipase, salivary amylase, maltase, lingual lipase, pepsin, gastric lipase, gastric amylase, gelatinase, urase, etc.

“Pachaka [[pitta]]” represents the digestives enzymes like trypsin, chymotrypsin, carboxypolypeptidase, pancreatic amylase, pancreatic lipase, cholesterol esterase, phospholipase, salivary amylase, maltase, lingual lipase, pepsin, gastric lipase, gastric amylase, gelatinase, urase, etc.

It digests the food, separates the waste and nutrients from it, and supports the other forms of [[pitta]] located in different parts of the body.

It digests the food, separates the waste and nutrients from it, and supports the other forms of [[pitta]] located in different parts of the body.

The action of "samana [[vayu]]" can be partially understood by the regulation of the secretion of HCL by parietal cells. The activities of the vagus nerve, the amount of gastrin from G cells and somatostatin from D cells, and the level of histamine play a vital role in this process.

The action of "samana [[vayu]]" can be partially understood by the regulation of the secretion of HCL by parietal cells. The activities of the vagus nerve, the amount of gastrin from G cells and somatostatin from D cells, and the level of histamine play a vital role in this process.

==Acid-Peptic Diseases==

==Acid-Peptic Diseases==

Acid peptic disorders include many conditions whose pathophysiology is directly related to the damage caused by acid and peptic activity of gastric secretions. It includes gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer (gastric and duodenal), and stress-related mucosal injury. In all these conditions, mucosal erosions or ulcerations arise when the caustic effects of aggressive factors overwhelm the defensive factors of the gastrointestinal mucosa.

Acid peptic disorders include many conditions whose pathophysiology is directly related to the damage caused by acid and peptic activity of gastric secretions. It includes gastroesophageal reflux disease, peptic ulcer (gastric and duodenal), and stress-related mucosal injury. In all these conditions, mucosal erosions or ulcerations arise when the caustic effects of aggressive factors overwhelm the defensive factors of the gastrointestinal mucosa.