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== ([[Chikitsa Sthana]]) Chapter 15 ==

==([[Chikitsa Sthana Chapter 15, Chapter on Management of Digestive Disorders)==

 

Abstract

=== Abstract ===

 

Grahaṇīdōṣha chikitsā adhyāya consists of three parts. First part explains the concept of normal digestion process. Second part describes the abnormal digestion and third part is about diseases caused by abnormality of digestive fire and its interaction with proximal intestine or grahani. These disorders are called grahanidosha.   

Grahaṇīdōṣha chikitsā adhyāya consists of three parts. First part explains the concept of normal digestion process. Second part describes the abnormal digestion and third part is about diseases caused by abnormality of digestive fire and its interaction with proximal intestine or grahani. These disorders are called grahanidosha.   

Agni (digestive and metabolic agents), based on their specific functions of conversion of food into biological elements of the body are classified into 13 types. First, the jatharagni is most important because it is the initiator of digestive process and it strengthens the digestive abilty of other 12 agnis. Five bhutagnis transform the panchmahabhauic components of ahara rasa created by jatharagni into different structures of the body. Seven dhatuagnis create seven tissues elements(dhatu).

Agni (digestive and metabolic agents), based on their specific functions of conversion of food into biological elements of the body are classified into 13 types. First, the jatharagni is most important because it is the initiator of digestive process and it strengthens the digestive abilty of other 12 agnis. Five bhutagnis transform the panchmahabhauic components of ahara rasa created by jatharagni into different structures of the body. Seven dhatuagnis create seven tissues elements(dhatu).

Now the third phase of digestion is processed in 7 micro channels (srotas) specified for 7 body tissues (dhatu) for the formation of body tissues by their specific 7 tissue transformers (dhatwagnis) Excreable waste products are carried out by three excreatory channels as feces, urine and sweat, along with sub tissues and sub excreta of sensory organs.

Now the third phase of digestion is processed in 7 micro channels (srotas) specified for 7 body tissues (dhatu) for the formation of body tissues by their specific 7 tissue transformers (dhatwagnis) Excreable waste products are carried out by three excreatory channels as feces, urine and sweat, along with sub tissues and sub excreta of sensory organs.

Second part of this chapter explains the etiopathology of abnormal digestion, and formation of intermediate products as seed cause of various diseases in the form of ama, shukta and amavisha.

Second part of this chapter explains the etiopathology of abnormal digestion, and formation of intermediate products as seed cause of various diseases in the form of ama, shukta and amavisha.

Third part explicates the etiopathology, types, symptoms and treatments of grahanidosha as a syndrome of various digestive disorders. The chapter sums up in defining abnormal dietary habits.   

Third part explicates the etiopathology, types, symptoms and treatments of grahanidosha as a syndrome of various digestive disorders. The chapter sums up in defining abnormal dietary habits.  

   

Key words: Digestion in Ayurveda, metabolism in Ayurveda, jatharāgni, bhutāgni, dhatvāgni, grahani, grahanidosha, grahani roga, annaviṣa, atyagni, samaśana, viṣamaśana, adhyaśana.

Key words: Digestion in Ayurveda, metabolism in Ayurveda, jatharāgni, bhutāgni, dhatvāgni, grahani, grahanidosha, grahani roga, annaviṣa, atyagni, samaśana, viṣamaśana, adhyaśana.

Introduction

 

=== Introduction ===

 

Grahaṇīdoṣacikitsita is one of the most important chapters of this compendium because most of the diseases originate from disorders of digestion. This chapter is described after arśha roga (hemorrhoids) because pathophysiology of arśha influences agni and before pānduroga chikitsā adhyāya because grahaṇīroga influences pānduroga. The initial portion of this chapter discusses the details of the physiological process of digestion and metabolism in human body. Agni, being the fundamental factor in maintaining health and in producing diseases, has been described in detail.  The chapter begins with explanation of importance of normally functioning agni and then goes on to explain the various aspects of digestion, metabolism and tissue nourishment. Different theories of tissue nourishment as explained by the commentators play a crucial role in the entire process. The concept of upadhātu and dhātumala has also been dealt with. These descriptions are followed by the pathophysiology of grahaṇīdōṣha syndrome and its management. This chapter underscores that the knowledge of physiology is crucial in understanding the pathophysiology and therapeutics of a disease.

Grahaṇīdoṣacikitsita is one of the most important chapters of this compendium because most of the diseases originate from disorders of digestion. This chapter is described after arśha roga (hemorrhoids) because pathophysiology of arśha influences agni and before pānduroga chikitsā adhyāya because grahaṇīroga influences pānduroga. The initial portion of this chapter discusses the details of the physiological process of digestion and metabolism in human body. Agni, being the fundamental factor in maintaining health and in producing diseases, has been described in detail.  The chapter begins with explanation of importance of normally functioning agni and then goes on to explain the various aspects of digestion, metabolism and tissue nourishment. Different theories of tissue nourishment as explained by the commentators play a crucial role in the entire process. The concept of upadhātu and dhātumala has also been dealt with. These descriptions are followed by the pathophysiology of grahaṇīdōṣha syndrome and its management. This chapter underscores that the knowledge of physiology is crucial in understanding the pathophysiology and therapeutics of a disease.

Protection of agni is very essential in treatment of all diseases. (Chakrapani  Ca.Ci.14/244-246 )Arśha, atisāra and grahaṇīdōṣha are said to be paraspara hetu which means one disease becomes cause for another disease(Ca.Ci.14/244) e.g. in patients with chronic colitis, intestinal polyps are seen, in patients suffering from diarrhea colitis is observed. Therefore, one finds interrelation between these disorders and as explained earlier, special precaution should be taken with respect to agni bala.  

Protection of agni is very essential in treatment of all diseases. (Chakrapani  Ca.Ci.14/244-246 )Arśha, atisāra and grahaṇīdōṣha are said to be paraspara hetu which means one disease becomes cause for another disease(Ca.Ci.14/244) e.g. in patients with chronic colitis, intestinal polyps are seen, in patients suffering from diarrhea colitis is observed. Therefore, one finds interrelation between these disorders and as explained earlier, special precaution should be taken with respect to agni bala.  

Homeostasis at cellular level and gross level is maintained by vāta, pitta and kapha in which digestive and metabolic contributions are due to agni.  This chapter has been dedicated to agni to understand the manner in which it gets vitiated by doṣha and accordingly the line of treatment for the agni dōṣha is explained. As the functions of agni take place in grahaṇī hence disease related to grahaṇī has been given the name.

Homeostasis at cellular level and gross level is maintained by vāta, pitta and kapha in which digestive and metabolic contributions are due to agni.  This chapter has been dedicated to agni to understand the manner in which it gets vitiated by doṣha and accordingly the line of treatment for the agni dōṣha is explained. As the functions of agni take place in grahaṇī hence disease related to grahaṇī has been given the name.

Secondly, pāndu roga is due to alpatā of raktaposhaka sāra bhāga (Chakrapani Ca. Ci. 16/3-7)  and, one of the main causes of this alpatā is mal-digestion and mal-absorption which takes place in grahaṇī. It is well known fact, that various contributory factors for blood formation have their absorption in gastrointestinal tract such as folic acid, vitamin B12, iron, etc which if not absorbed causes anemia this is the reason why Caraka has placed this chapter in between arśha and pāndu roga.  

Secondly, pāndu roga is due to alpatā of raktaposhaka sāra bhāga (Chakrapani Ca. Ci. 16/3-7)  and, one of the main causes of this alpatā is mal-digestion and mal-absorption which takes place in grahaṇī. It is well known fact, that various contributory factors for blood formation have their absorption in gastrointestinal tract such as folic acid, vitamin B12, iron, etc which if not absorbed causes anemia this is the reason why Caraka has placed this chapter in between arśha and pāndu roga.  

 

अथातो ग्रहणीदोषचिकित्सितं व्याख्यास्यामः||१||  

अथातो ग्रहणीदोषचिकित्सितं व्याख्यास्यामः||१||