AH-Su-Chapter 8: Maatrashitiya मात्राशितीय / Food habits & Indigestion

right quantity of food to take, right time to take food, types of indigestion and their treatment, qualities and types of after drinks, right method of food intake etc.

Right Amount of Food – Aharamatra Apeksha:

मात्राशी सर्वकालं स्यान्मात्रा हि अग्नेः प्रवर्तिका
मात्रां द्रव्याण्यपेक्षन्ते गुरुण्यापि लघून्यापि १
गुरुणामर्धसौहित्यं लघूनां नातितृप्तता
मात्राप्रमाणं निर्दिष्टं सुखं यावत् विजीर्यति २

One should always consume proper quantity of food. Right amount of food activates Agni – digestion power (which is compared to fire, in Ayurveda).
Food that are light to digest (laghu) and those that are hard to digest (Guru) both require a specified quantity for proper digestion.
As a general rule, if the food is heavy to digest (such as oily food, non veg, sweets etc), it should be consumed till half of the satiation level is achieved. (Ardha Sauhitya).
If the food is light to digest, it should be consumed till one is not overly satiated. (Na Ati Truptata).
The right amount of food is that, which undergoes digestion easily.

Effect of taking more or less amount of quantity of food –

भोजनं हीनमात्रं तु न बलोपचयौजसे
सर्वेषां वातरोगाणां हेतुतां प्रपध्यते ३
अतिमात्रं पुनः सर्वानाशु दोषान् प्रकोपयेत्

Consuming less quantity of food does not increase strength,  ojus (immunity). The body will not be nourished properly. Over a period of time, it leads to Vata imbalance disorders. Excess quantity of food is again not desirable. It causes quick increase of Doshas.  3 – 3½.

Effects of over eating: 

पीड्यमानो हि वाताद्या युगपत्तेन कोपिताः ४
आमेनान्नेन दुष्टेन तदेवाविश्य कुर्वते
विष्टम्भयन्तो अलसकं च्यावयन्तो विसूचिकाम् ५
अधरोत्तरमार्गाभ्यां सहसैवाजितात्मनः

Due to eating excess quantity of food, Vata and other Doshas suddenly get increased together and associating with the undigested and vitiated food (Ama) , produce diseases.
It causes Alasaka disease by  blocking the movement of food inside the alimentary tract and
Visuchika (gastro enteritis) by expelling out the undigested food in both downward and upward directions (diarrhoea and vomiting) simultaneously.
This is seen in persons who are not self controlled and who can not control their craze for eating. 4-5.

Alasaka – indigestion + constipation:

प्रयाति नोर्ध्व नाधस्तादाहारो न च पच्यते ६
आमाशये अलसीभूतस्तेन सो अलसकः स्मृतः

Food neither comes out in the upper route by vomiting nor from the downward route by purgation. Nor does it undergo digestion in the stomach. It stays in the stomach lazily (=Alasya). Such a disease condition is called as Alasaka.  6.

Visuchika ~ Gastro enteritis

विविधैः वेदनोद्भेदैर्वाय्वादि भृशकोपतः ७
सूचिभिरिव गात्राणि विध्यतीति विसूचिका

Due to sudden and profound aggravation Vata, along with other Doshas, the person experiences pain in entire body, as though being pricked by needles, hence this disease is called Visuchika. (Suchi means needle).

Influence of different Doshas in Alasaka and Visuchika -

तत्र शूलभ्रमानाहकम्पस्तम्भादयो अनिलात् ८
पित्तात् ज्वरातिसारान्तर्दाहतृट्प्रलयादयः
कफाच्छर्द्यङ्गगुरुतावाक्सङ्गष्ठीवनादयः ९

In Alasaka and Visuchika,
If Vata is aggravated, it causes
Shoola – adominal pain
Bhrama – Delusion
Anaha – bloating, fullness
Kampa – tremors
Stambha – stiffness etc symptoms.

If Pitta is aggravated, it causes
Jvara – fever
Atisara – diarrhoea, dysentery
Antardaha – internal burning sensation
Trut – excessive thirst
Pralaya – panic, unconsciousness

If Kapha is aggravated, it causes
Chardi – Vomiting
Angaguruta - heaviness of the body
Vak Sangha – Difficulty to speak
Shteevana – excessive salivation, expectoration and spitting

Manifestation of Alasaka symptoms: 

विशेषात्दुर्बलस्याल्पवह्नेर्वेगविधारिणः
पीडितं मारुतेनान्नं शलेष्मणा रुद्धमन्तरा १०
अलसं क्षोभितं दोषैः शल्यत्वेनैव संस्थितम्
शूलादीन् कुरुते तीव्रांश्छर्द्दिअतीसारवर्जितान् ११
सो अलसः

Alasaka occurs especially in those who are weak, who have low digestion strength and who suppress urges of the body, habitually. In them, Vata gets increased, gets associated with Kapha to obstruct the movement of undigested food in the digestive tract. It causes the food to stay inside the stomach, as a foreign body. It leads to abdominal colic and such other symptoms, but without vomiting and diarrhea.  10 – 11.

Dandalasaka – 

अत्यर्थदुष्टास्तु दोषा दुष्टाभिबद्धखाः
यान्तः तिर्यक्तनुं सर्वां दण्डवत् स्तम्भयन्ति चेत् १२
दण्डकालसकं नाम तं त्येजेदाषुकारिणम्

Highly vitiated Doshas, move into vitiated and obstructed channels by accumulation of undigested food. Thus Doshas get obstructed in the GI tract, and begin to move in other unnatural channels. Thus Doshas spread throughout the body and make it stiff like a log of wood. This disease is called Dandakalasaka, which should be rejected for treatment as it is quick in causing death. 12.

Ama Dosha

विरुद्ध अध्यशनाजीर्णशीलिनो विषलक्षणम् १३
आमदोषं महाघोरं वजयेद्विषसंज्ञकम्
विषरूपाशुकारित्वात् विरुद्धोपक्रमत्वतः १४

Persons who indulges in
Viruddha Ashana – taking incompatible foods,
Adhyashana – taking excess food
Ajeerna Ashana – Eating over undigested food,
develops the dreaded Amadosa which is similar to poison. Hence it is also called as Amavisha (undigested food poison).
Such a person should be refused for treatment because of its similarity with poison, quickness in causing death and requiring treatments of opposite nature to one another Doshas and qualities. 13 – 14.

Treatment of Alasak

अथ आमं अलसीभूतं साध्यं तवरितमुल्लिखेत्
पीत्वा सोग्रापटुफलं वार्युष्णं योजयेत्ततः १५
स्वेदनं फलवर्तिं च मलवातानुलोमनीम्
नाम्यमानानि चाङ्गानि भृशं स्विन्नानि १६ वेष्टयेत्

Ama – undigested food stagnating inside the Gastro intestinal tract should be removed quickly after deciding the conditions of easy management.

The person is made to drink warm water mixed with powder of Ugra (Vacha – Acorus calamus), Patu (Saindhava – Black Salt) and Phala (Madanaphala); This will cause vomiting;

This therapy is followed up with Swedana (sudation therapy)

Next, Phalavarti (rectal suppositories) prepared from fruits which help downward movement of feaces and flatus should be administered,

The parts of the body which are rigid should be well fomented and then wrapped with cloth. 15 – 16.

Treatment of Vishucika

विसूच्यां अतिवृद्धायां पार्ष्ण्योः दाहः प्रशस्यते
तदह्श्चोपवास्यैनं विरिक्तवत् उपाचरेत् १७

In advanced stage of Visucika, branding by fire over the heel, is recommended. The patient should be made to fast on that day and taken care of as the one who has undergone purgation therapy. All the post Virechana procedure and treatment should be given to the patient.  17.

Aama Dosha Chikitsa

तीव्रार्तिरपि नाजीर्णी पिबेत् शूलघ्नं औषधम्
आमसन्नो अनलो नालं पक्तुं दोषौषधाशनम् 18
निहन्यादपि चेतषां विभ्रमः सहसाआतुरम्

The patient of indigestion though having severe abdominal pain should not take pain killing drugs; the Agni – digestive fire which is associated with Ama – improperly processed metabolites will not be able to digest the Doshas, drugs and food; the severe troubles arising from these three will soon kill the patient. 18.

जीर्णाशने तु भेषज्यं युञ्ज्यात् स्तब्धगुरूदरे
दोषशेषस्य पाकार्थमग्नः सन्धुक्षणाय च

After the food is found digested, if stiffness and heaviness of the abdomen persisting, then the medicines should be given to digest the residue Doshas and to stimulate the Agni – digestive power. 19.

शान्तिरामविकाराणां भवति तु अपतर्पणात्
त्रिविधं त्रिविधे दोषे तत्समीक्ष्य प्रयोजयेत्

Diseases produced by Ama – undigested food, become relieved by Apatarpana (non-nourishment); three kinds of Apatarpana, appropriate to the three Doshas should be adopted after careful consideration of all aspects. 20.

तत्राल्पे लङ्घनं पथ्यं, मध्ये लङ्घन पाचनम्
प्रभूते शोधनं, तद्धि मूलादुन्मूलयेन्मलान्

If Ama is little, only Langhana (fasting) will be suitable,
If it is moderate Langhana (fasting) and Pachana – digestive drugs are needed;
if it is severe, then Shodhana (purification Panchakarma therapy) is necessary; for these will expel out the Dosha and Ama from the very root. 21.

Treatment principle for diseases

Even the other diseases should be treated by adopting treatments which are opposite of their causative factors. It is called as Hetu Viparyaya Chikitsa. Hetu means causative factors. If, however, the diseases reoccur or persist for long time then the Hetu Viparyaya should be given up and disease specific treatment should be adopted. It is called as Vyadhi Viparyaya Chikitsa.

तदर्थकारी वा, पक्वे दोषे त्विद्धे च पावके
हितमभ्यञ्जनस्नेहपानबस्त्यादि युक्तितः

Or Tadarthakari Chikitsa (therapies which, though not actually opposite of either the cause or the diseases still produce the desired result) should be adopted;

When the Doshas have returned to normal, when the Ama is completely relieved,  when digestion activity is completely restored to normalcy, then oil-bath, drinking of oil (oleation therapies) and enema therapy, etc. should be administered appropriately. To gain the lost strength in the patient.  22-24.

Ajirna Bheda – different kinds of indigestion –

अजीर्णं च कफादाम तत्र शोफो अक्षिगण्डयोः
सद्योभुक्त इवोद्गारः प्रसेकोत्क्लेशगौरवम् 25

Vitiation of Kapha causes ”Ama Ajeerna” It is characterized with swelling of the eyes socket and cheeks, belching similar to those which come up immediately after meals, excess salivation, nausea and heaviness of the body. 25

विष्टब्धं अनिलात् शूल विबन्ध आध्मानसादकृत्

Vishthabdha ajirna - this type of indigestion is caused due to vitiated Vata and is characterized by pain in the abdomen, constipation, flatulence and debility.

पित्तात् विदग्धं तृण्मोहभ्रमाम्लोद्गारदाहवत्

Vidagdha ajirna - this type of indigestion is due to vitiated Pitta and has thirst, fainting, dizziness, giddiness, sour belching and burning sensation as its symptoms. 26

Ajirna Chikitsa - Treatment of Indigestion

लङ्घनं कार्यमामे तु, विष्टब्धे स्वेदनं भृशम्
विदग्धे वमनं, यद्वा यथावस्थं हितं भवेत् २७

For Ama ajirna, Langhana – fasting should be done;|
For Vishtabdha Ajirna, Swedana (sudation therapy) should be done;
For Vidagdha ajirna, Vamana (emesis therapy) should be done, or any therapy appropriate to the stage of the disease can be done. 27

Vilambika disease:

गरीयसो भवेल्लीनादामादेव विलम्बिका
कफवातानुबद्धा आमलिङ्गा तत्समसाधना 28

Vilambika – another kind of indigestion occurs due to profound accumulation of Ama inside the channels. It is caused due to vitiation of Kapha and Vata,  and has all the symptoms of Ama; its treatment also is similar to that of Ama. 28

Rasashesha Ajeerna -another type of indigestion

अश्रद्धा हृदयव्यथा शुद्धेअपि उद्गारे रसशेषतः
शयीत किञ्चिदेवात्र सर्वश्चानाशितो दिवा २९
स्वप्यादजीर्णी, सञ्जातबुभुक्षो अद्यान्मितं लघु

Rasashesha ajeerna - Lack of enthusiasm, discomfort in the region of the heart in spite of pure belching are the features of Rasashesha ajirna – another kind of indigestion. Such a person should sleep for some time during day without eating anything.

Patient of indigestion of any type should sleep during day without taking any food, later, when he develops hunger he should eat little quantity of easily digestible food. 28½ – 29

Ajirna Samanya Laksana – general symptoms of indigestion:-

विबन्धोअतिप्रवृत्तिर्वा ग्लानिर्मारुतमूढता ३०
अजीर्णलिङ्गं सामान्यं विष्टम्भो गौरवं भ्रमः

Diarrhea or constipation, exhaustion, inactivity of Vata, distension of the abdomen, feeling of heaviness and dizziness are the general symptoms of Ajirna (indigestion). 30

Ajirna Anyakaranani – other causes of indigestion

न चातिमात्रमेवान्नमामदोषाय केवलम्
द्विष्टविष्टिम्भिदग्धामगुरुरूक्षहिमाशुचि
विदाहि शुष्कमत्यम्बुप्लुतं चान्नं न जीर्यति
उपतप्तेन भुक्तं च शोकक्रोधक्षुदादिभिः

Consuming large quantity of food is not the only cause for production of Ama Dosha; foods which are disliked, which cause flatulence, which are over-cooked or uncooked, which are not easily digestible, which are dry, very cold, dirty (contaminated), which cause burning sensation during digestion, which are dried up or soaked in more water, do not undergo proper digestion; so also the food consumed by persons afflicted with grief, anger, excess hunger etc. 31- 32½

Dushta Ashana – bad food habits:

मिश्रं पथ्यमपथ्यं च भुक्तं समशनं मतम्
विध्यादध्यशनं भूयोभुक्तस्योपरि भोजनम्
अकाले बहु चाल्पं वा भुक्तं तु विषमाशनम्
त्रीण्यप्येतानि मृत्युं वा घोरान् व्याधीन्सृजन्ति वा

Consuming suitable and unsuitable foods mixed together is known as Samashana,

Consuming large quantity of food even before the previous meal is digested constitutes Adhyasana,

Consuming less or more quantity at improper time is Vishamashana,

- all these three either cause death or dreaded diseases. 33 – 34

Ahara vidhi – regimen of diet –

काले सात्म्यं शुचि हितं स्निग्धोष्णं लघु तन्मनाः
षड्रसं मधुरप्रायं नातिद्रुतविलम्भितम्
स्नातः क्षुद्धान् विविक्तस्थो धौतपादकराननः
तर्पयित्वा पितन् देवानतिथीन् बालकान् गुरून्
प्रत्यवेक्ष्य तिरश्च अपि प्रतिपन्नपरिग्रहान्
समीक्ष्य सम्यगात्मनिभनिन्दन्नभुवन् द्रवम्
इष्टमिष्टैः सहाश्रीयाच्छुचिभक्तजनाहृतम्

Kale Satmyam - Food should be consumed at the proper time,
Shuchi Hitam – it should be the accustomed, clean, suited to health,
Snigdha, Ushna, Laghu – unctuous, hot and easily digestible;
Tanmanaa – consuming food with due attention
Shadrasa, Madhurapraayam – should contain all the six tastes with predominance of sweet taste,
Na Atidruta, Vilambitam – partaken neither very quickly nor very slowly;
Snataha – after taking bath,
Kshut vaan – after having good hunger,
Viviktastha -sitting in solitude,
Dhauta Pada kara aananaha – after washing the feet, hands and face,
Tarpayitva pitrun, Devan, Atitheen, Balakaan, Guroon – after satisfying the Pitrus (manes), gods, guests, children and Guru.
After satisfying even the dependents maintained in the house (such as servants, horses and other animals for receiving service, parrots and other pets etc.), after carefully considering one’s own constitution, likes and dislikes,
without scolding / abusing the food, without too much of talk;
should partake more of liquid food, that which is liked,
in the company of the liked persons, and served by those who are clean and faithful to him. 35 – 38

भोजनं तृणकेषादिजुष्टमुष्णीकृतं पुनः
शाकावरान्नभूयिष्ठमत्युष्णलवणं त्यजेत्

Food which is contaminated with grass, hairs etc; re-heated, which consists more of vegetables and undesirable grains, which is very hot and very salty should be rejected. 39

Food that should not be consumed habitually -

किलाटदधिकूचीकाक्षारशुक्ताममूलकम्
कृशशुष्कवराहाविगोमत्स्यभहिषामिषम्
माषनिष्पावशालूकविसपिष्टवीरूढकम्
शुष्कशाकानि यवकान् फाणितं च न शीलयेत्

Kilata (dairy product – sweet in taste),
Dadhi – Curds,
Kuchika (solid part of curds),
Kshara (alkalies),
Sukta (fermented gruel),
Ama Mulaka – Uncooked radish,
Meat of animals which are emaciated,
dry meat,
meat of the boar, sheep, cow, fish and buffalo,
Masha (black gram), Nishpava; Saluka, Bisa, Pista (powdery, starchy),
germinated grains, dried vegetables, Yavaka (small barley),
Phanita (half cooked molasses) – those should not be consumed habitually. 40 – 41.

Pathya – food that can be consumed habitually (on daily basis, for a long time) –

शीलयेच्छालिगोधूमयवषष्टिकजाङ्गलम्
सुनिषण्णकजीवन्तीबालमूलवास्तुकम्
पथ्यामलकमृद्वीकापटोलीमुद्गशर्कराः
घृतदिव्योदकक्षीरक्षौद्रदाडिमसैन्धवम्

Shali (rice),
Godhuma (wheat),
Yava – Barley – Hordeum vulgare,
Shashtika (rice maturing in sixty days),
Jangala (meat of animals of desert like lands),
sunisannaka, Jivanti – Leptadenia reticulata,
Balamulaka (young radish),
Pathya (Haritaki)
Amalaka (Amla – Indian gooseberry),
Mridwika – dry grapes,
Mudga – green gram,
Sarkara (sugar),
Ghrita (ghee),
Divyodaka (rain water or pure water),
Ksheera (milk),
Kshoudra (honey),
Dadima – Pomegranate - Punica granatum
and Saindhava – Rock Salt (salt) can be consumed habitually. 42 – 43.

त्रिफलां मधुसर्पिर्भ्यां निशि नेत्रबलाय च
स्वास्थ्यानुवृत्तिकृद्यच्च रोगोच्छेदकरं च यत्

Triphala along with honey and ghee should be consumed at nights daily for strengthening of eye sight.

Any other thing which is good for promoting/maintaining health and dispelling diseases can also be consumed habitually. 43½.

Food that should be consumed at the beginning of meal –

बिसेक्षुमोचचोचाम्रमोदकोत्कारिकादिकम्
अद्याद्रव्यं गुरु स्निग्धं स्वादु मन्दं स्थिरं पुरः
विपरीतमतश्चान्ते मध्ये अम्ललवणोतकटम्

Foods which are not easily digestible, which are unctuous – fatty, sweet, slow and hard such as Bisa, Ikshu (sugarcane), Mocha, Coca, Amra (mango), Modaka (sweet meat ball), Utkarika (sweet dish) etc., should be consumed at the commencement of the meal. foods of opposite qualities, at the end of the meal, and those which are predominantly sour and salt, in the middle of the meal. 45 – 45½.

अन्नेन कुक्षर्ध्वांशौ पानेनैकं प्रपूरयेत्
आश्रयं पवनादीनां चतुर्थमवशेषयेत्

Two parts of the stomach (half of its capacity) should be filled with solid foods, one part by liquids and the remaining one part should be kept vacant for accommodating air etc. 46

Anupana – (after – drink) :-

अनुपानं हिमं वारि यवगोधूमयोर्हितम्
दध्नि मद्ये विषे क्षौद्रे कोष्णं पिष्टमयेषु तु
शाकमुद्गादिविकृतौ मस्तुतक्राम्लकाञ्जिकम्
सुरा कृशानां पुष्ट्यार्थं,स्थूलानां टु मधूदकम्
शोषे मांसरसो, मद्यं मांसे स्वल्पे च पावके
व्याध्यौषधाध्वभाष्य स्त्रीलङ्घनातपकर्मभिः
क्षीणे वृद्धे च बाले च पयः पथ्यं यथा अमृतम्

Cold water is the ideal after-drink (Anupana) – after meals containing/ prepared from Yava – (Barley) and Godhuma – wheat, after consuming Dadhi – Curds / yoghurt, wine, poison and honey.

Warm water is ideal after-drink for
foods which are starchy,
Mastu – Supernatent liquid of curds (whey),
Takra (diluted buttermilk)
Amla kanjika (fermented gruel);
dishes prepared from vegetables and Mudga (green gram) and other legumes :

Sura (beer) is the ideal after drink for lean person.
Honey mixed water is the ideal after drink for obese person.
Meat soup is good after drink for the emaciated,
Wines are ideal after a meal of meat and to those who have poor digestive capacity;
Milk is best suited just as nector for those who are debilitated by diseases, medicines (and therapies), walking long distances, speaking, sexual intercourse, fasting, exposure to sun and such other tiresome activities; for the emaciated, the aged, and children. 47 – 50.

An ideal Anupana 

विपरीतं यदन्नस्य गुणैः स्यादविरोधि च
अनुपानं समासेन, सर्वदा तत्प्रशस्यते

An ideal Anupana ( after-drink) is that which has properties opposite of those of the foods but not incompatible with them; such an after- drink is always valuable. 51.

Benefits of Anupana:

अनुपानं करोत्यूर्जां तृप्तिं व्याप्तिं दृढाङ्गताम्
अन्नसङ्घातशैथिल्यविक्लित्तिजरणानि च

Anupana – after – drink invigorates, gives contentment, helps proper movement of food inside, stability of the body parts; loosening of hard masses of food, their proper liquification (moistening) and digestion. 52.

Contra indication for Anupana – 

नोर्ध्वजत्रुगदश्वासकासोरः क्षतपीनसे
गीतभाष्यप्रस्ङ्गे च स्वरभेदे च तद्धितम्

It is not good in diseases of the organs above the shoulders (ear, nose, throat, eyes and brain related diseases), dyspnoea (COPD, Asthma), cough, injury to chest (lungs), rhinitis, for those engaged in singing and speaking and in hoarseness of voice. 53.

प्रक्लिन्नदेहमेहाक्षिगलरोगव्रणातुराः
पानं त्यजेयुः
Drinking liquids should be avoided by those who are over-hydrated, who are suffering from polyuria, diseases of the eyes and throat, and wounds (ulcers). 54.

All persons – both healthy and sick should avoid speaking, walking long distances and sleeping immediately after consuming liquids; exposure to sun and fire, travel in vehicles, swimming and riding on animals soon after consuming food. 54½.

Ahara kala – proper time of meals:-

The ideal time for taking meals is after the elimination of feaces and urine, when the mind is clean (devoid of emotions), when the Doshas are moving in their natural paths (functioning normally), when belching are pure without and foul smell or taste, when hunger is well manifest, when the flatus is moving downward easily, when the digestive activity is keen, when the sense organs are clear functioning, when the body is light. Food should be consumed observing the rules and procedures of taking food. That is the ideal time. 54 – 55.

Thus ends the eighth chapter called Matrashitiya in sutrasthana of Astanga hrudaya composed by Vaghata.