Balancing Vishama Agni

Updated 2019

Correcting vishama agni is largely about pacifying vata and increasing warmth and stability throughout our lives. Because vata is the subtlest of the three doshas, vishama agni is profoundly affected not only by what we eat, but also by how we eat and how we live. In fact, vishama agni responds very well to subtle therapies like pranayama, yoga, vata pacifying lifestyle habits, and an emphasis on daily routine. Here are a few suggestions for strengthening an irregular digestive fire.

Diet

Eat a vata pacifying diet oriented around oily, grounding, nourishing foods.
Include generous amounts of high quality, organic oils like ghee, sesame oil and olive oil.
Stoke the digestive fire about 30 minutes before lunch and dinner by chewing a slice of fresh ginger (about the size of a nickel) with a pinch of sea salt, a few drops of lime juice, and about ¼ teaspoon honey. If this feels overwhelming, you could take one or two Vata Digest tablets about 30 minutes before lunch and dinner, instead.

Lifestyle

Establish some routine: awaken, eat, and go to sleep at similar times from one day to the next and do your best to follow a vata pacifying daily routine.
Practice 5–15 minutes of Nadi Shodhana pranayama (Alternate Nostril Breathing) daily to relax the nervous system.
Adopt a vata pacifying exercise routine:
- It should not be overly stimulating, but gentle and grounding instead. Favor activities like walking, hiking, light jogging, swimming, or gentle cycling.
- Practice vata pacifying yoga or a handful of slow and purposeful Sun Salutations each morning.

Herbs

These herbs and formulas are particularly balancing for vata.

Vata Digest tablets or Hingvastak (the powdered form of the Vata Digest formula that can be taken alone or sprinkled on your food like pepper) are both wonderful for balancing vata in the digestive tract.
Balance vata systemically with Healthy Vata tablets.
Take Triphala tablets, Triphala powder, or Triphala Liquid Extract to support the colon and proper elimination.
Consider taking Haritaki instead of Triphala to more specifically balance vata (if vata is truly the primary concern).

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The Four Varieties of Agni

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Balancing Manda Agni

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