Changes

==== Three stages of digestion ====

==== Three stages of digestion ====

There are three stages of digestion in the gut. The first stage (madhura) takes place in the upper gastro-intestinal tract, i.e., inside the eosophagus and stomach; the second stage (amla) takes place in the middle portion of the gut, i.e., in the small intestine; and the last stage (kaṭu) takes place in the colon.  

There are three stages of digestion in the gut. The first stage (''madhura'') takes place in the upper gastro-intestinal tract, i.e., inside the esophagus and stomach; the second stage (''amla'') takes place in the middle portion of the gut, i.e., in the small intestine; and the last stage (''katu'') takes place in the colon.  

The froth-like kapha seems to be the thick mucus that covers the entire stomach, providing a protective coating that prevents the gastric mucosa being digested and damaged due to the acid-pepsin mixture.

The froth-like ''kapha'' seems to be the thick mucus that covers the entire stomach, providing a protective coating that prevents the gastric mucosa being digested and damaged due to the acid-pepsin mixture.

   

   

Accha pitta is ‘liquid’ in nature, released in the duodenum and can be correlated with bile.  

''Accha pitta'' is ‘liquid’ in nature, released in the duodenum and can be correlated with bile.  

Pācaka pitta has the functional site between amāśhaya (stomach) and pakvāśaya (colon), which is indicative of small intestine. It is composed of five mahābhūtas but the agni mahābhūta is predominant; and hence, it becomes devoid of fluidity and therefore is also known as agni. It splits the food into sāra (nutritive) and kiṭṭa (non-nutritive) portions. (Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutra Sthana, 12/10-12).

''Pachaka pitta'' has the functional site between ''amashaya'' (stomach) and ''pakvashaya'' (colon), which is indicative of small intestine. It is composed of five ''mahabhutas'' but the ''agni mahabhuta'' is predominant; and hence, it becomes devoid of fluidity and therefore is also known as ''agni''. It splits the food into sāra (nutritive) and ''kitta'' (non-nutritive) portions. (Ashtanga Hridaya, Sutra Sthana, 12/10-12).

Sāra portion of the food is the minutest fraction (parama sūkṣma). This portion reaches the heart in the form of ‘ahara rasa’. From the heart, it then gets re-distributed into 24 pulsatile vessels to be carried into the whole body. (Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, 14/3)

 

The portion that reaches the colon is the one that is designated as ‘kiṭṭa’. During the third stage of digestion, there occurs the solidification of fecal matter and formation of certain pungent gases such as ammonia, methane, hydrogen sulfide etc. The term ‘pakva’ in this context indicates pakva mala; not pakva ahāra (Verse 9-11).  

''Sara'' of the food is the minutest fraction (''parama sukshma''). This portion reaches the heart in the form of ''ahara rasa''. From the heart, it then gets re-distributed into 24 pulsatile vessels to be carried into the whole body. (Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, 14/3)

 

The portion that reaches the colon is the one that is designated as ''kitta''. During the third stage of digestion, there occurs the solidification of fecal matter and formation of certain pungent gases such as ammonia, methane, hydrogen sulfide etc. The term ''pakva'' in this context indicates ''pakva mala''; not ''pakva ahara'' (Verse 9-11).

==== Formation of the seven dhātus ====

==== Formation of the seven dhātus ====