E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Agni and Gut Microbiota

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2025 Volume 10 Number 2 FEBRUARY
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Relation between Agni and Gut Microbiota

Shruti1, Nandesh Mohan P2, Hadapad HM3*
DOI:10.21760/jaims.10.2.16

1 Shruti, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of Roga Nidana Avum Vikriti Vigyana, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan, Karnataka, India.

2 Nandesh Mohan P, Associate Professor, Department of Roga Nidana Avum Vikriti Vigyana, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan, Karnataka, India.

3* Harish M Hadapad, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of PG Studies in Kayachikitsa, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan, Karnataka, India.

Agni is the principal component of the living body. It is responsible for all kinds of activities happening inside the body; therefore, Ayurveda considers that Dehagni is the cause of life, complexion, strength, health, and nourishment and also responsible for the causation of disease. Gut microbiota, or gut flora, are the microorganisms, including bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, that live in the digestive tract. Collectively, they create the network system with all organs called as gut axis, which has tremendous potential to influence human physiology in terms of health and disease. Disturbance in Agni due to improper diet, lifestyle, and stress contributes to the development of dysbiosis, leading to various organ system diseases. Ashtanaga Hridaya has quoted “Sarve Rogau Api Mandagnau."How Agni is responsible for manifestation of all diseases can be understood by analysing the relationship between Agni and the gut microbiota. Gut microbiota communicates with every organ system in the body via the gut axis; impairment in the Agni has a direct effect over gut microbiota, leading to gut dysbiosis, and that which disturbs the gut axis leads to disease manifestations. Here, an attempt is made to understand the relationship between Agni and gut microbiota.

Keywords: Agni, Gut microbiota, Gut health, Gut axis

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Harish M Hadapad, Post Graduate Scholar, Department of PG Studies in Kayachikitsa, Sri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara College of Ayurveda and Hospital, Hassan, Karnataka, India.
Email: 		Shruti, Nandesh Mohan P, Hadapad HM, Relation between Agni and Gut Microbiota. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2025;10(2):118-122.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/4019/

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2025-01-13 2025-01-23 2025-02-03 2025-02-13 2025-02-24
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
None Nill Not required 11.22

© 2025by Shruti, Nandesh Mohan P, Hadapad HMand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(2)118
Download PDFBack To ArticleIntroductionAims and ObjectivesMaterials and MethodsDiscussionConclusionReferences
Shruti et al. Relation between Agni and Gut Microbiota

Introduction

Agni is a key component of our body's digestion and metabolism, according to Ayurveda. Food that has been consumed must be broken down, absorbed, and assimilated; this process is carried out by Agni and is necessary for life to continue. The term "Agni" in Ayurveda is used in the sense of digestion of food and metabolic byproducts. The state of Agni is believed to influence the balance of the three Doshas - Vata, Pitta and Kapha which are fundamental principles governing the physiological and psychological functions of the body in Ayurveda. The gut microbiota is the community of trillions of microorganisms that live in digestive tract, and they play a crucial role in maintenance of health. It is estimated that there are more bacterial cells in gut than there are human cells in entire body. These tiny organisms, though unseen hold immense power in influencing health and well-being. The location of Agni in Ayurveda coincides with the major site of gut microbiota, suggesting a connection between the two. There is a conceptual link between Agni and the health of the gastrointestinal system, which influences the function of gut microbiota.

Aims and Objectives

To understand relation between Agni and gut microbiota

Materials and Methods

Review of literature regarding Agni and Gut microbiota was done to analyse the relation between the concepts of Agni and Gut microbiota in available textbooks, research articles and various websites were reviewed.

Agni:According to Acharya Charak, if an individual's Agni is in the Sama stage, he or she will be perfectly healthy and will live a long, happy life. When the functioning of Agni ceases, an individual dies. But an individual's entire body's metabolism would be disturbed or thrown off balance if their Agni was vitiated, leading to poor health and disease. Agni is therefore referred to as the base (Moola) of life.[2]

Importance of Agni:Agni influenced Bala (strength), Varna (color), Swasthya (health), Utsaha (enthusiasm), Upacaya (body growth),

Prabha (complexion), Ojas (strength), Tejas (valour), Vaya (age), and even Ayu (life). So, as long as Agni remains normal, people can have a healthy and long life. If the functioning of Agni stops, it leads to a loss of life.[4]

The Acharya Charaka describes 13 types of Agni, including Jatharagni-1, Bhutagni-5, and Dhatvagni-7. Jataragni, which is located in Amapakawashaya, is considered superior because it plays a major role in digestion, metabolism, and other Agni functions that are dependent on Jatharagni, so in other words, Jatharagni can be taken as digestive fire produced by the gut for the purpose of digestion.

Gut:Gut is another name for the gastrointestinal tract. It is indeed a complex organ system with diverse functions and its health is closely linked to various aspects of overall well-being. The gut is often known as "The Second Brain" since it is wired similarly to the brain with neurons and neurotransmitters.[1]

To function normally, the gut is loaded with microorganisms known as microbiota, which helps in digestion, metabolism, and absorption of ingested food particles. The gut is the main location of the human microbiota.[3]

What is gut microbiota?

The gut microbiota refers to the complex community of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes, that live in the digestive tracts of humans. This inhibits and maintains the homeostasis of gastrointestinal tract and also communicates with other organ systems of body to function normally through the axis, which is referred to as the gut axis. These axes play crucial role in various aspects of human health.

Gut axis:The term "axis" refers to a connection or line of communication between different components or systems. The term gut axis refers to the bidirectional communication and interaction between the gastrointestinal tract (gut) and other organ systems in the body.[5]

Here are some notable types of gut axis

1. Gut Brain Axis[5]
2. Gur Immune Axis
3. Gut liver axis
4. Gut endocrine axis
5. Gut skin axis
6. Gur bone axis


J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(2)119
Shruti et al. Relation between Agni and Gut Microbiota

When gut homeostasis is maintained, the gut microbiota will function normally, and communication between the organ systems will be properly maintained by the gut axis. If gut homeostasis is disturbed, that leads to dysbiosis and hampers communication.

Gut dysbiosis:Gut dysbiosis is defined as an imbalance in the gut microbiota characterized by a decline in microbial richness and abundance, as well as the loss of beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroides and Firmicutes, and an increase in pathogenic bacteria such as Prevotellaceae and Enterobacteriaceae. This imbalance can have negative impacts on the host's health, including disorders of metabolism, endogenous intoxication, systemic inflammation, and decreased essential metabolites.[6]

Relation between Agni and Gut microbiota

Sarve Roga Api Mandagnau:In Ayurveda, it is believed that the root cause of all diseases is Mandagni, and that much importance is given to the Agni in our classics, as it is carrying metabolic activity including anabolism, catabolism, and transformation of food from Sthula Dravya to Sukshma Dravya and Ahara Rasa formation, segregating Ahara Rasa into Poshaka and Poshya Bhava, where Poshaka Bhava does the Poshana of the same Dhatu and Poshya Bhava does the Poshana of Uttarottara Dhatu by the influence of Jatharagni, Bhutagni and Dhatvagni. Jatharagni is the main principal substance responsible for disease and health; other Agnis (Bhutagni and Dhatvagni) and vital functions are all dependent on Jathargni. Therefore, a healthy state of the body and a diseased condition are entirely dependent on the status of Agni. Ultimately, Agni has an impact on overall health status of an individual.

When Agni is impaired?

Digestive processes are compromised, leading to incomplete digestion and the formation of Ama. This Ama later on becomes pathogenic due to interaction with local Doshas called Amadosha; on further stasis, it becomes more toxic called Amavisha. When this Ama enters, the systemic circulation spreads throughout the Srotas and accumulates in the place where it gets Khavaigunya. This makes the seat for Sthana Samshraya of vitiated Doshas, Thus Dosha Dushya Samurchana occurs which results in disease.[7]

"All disease begins in the gut"

The statement "All diseases begin in the gut,” often attributed to Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician who is considered the father of Western medicine, reflects the understanding that digestive health is foundational to overall health.

The gut microbiota, which is made up of trillions of microorganisms that live in the gastrointestinal system, is important for digestion, nutrient absorption, and the control of many physiological functions. Dysbiosis, or imbalances in the gut microbiota, has been related to a range of health issues such as gastrointestinal disorders, autoimmune diseases, and metabolic disorders.

As Jatharagni is considered as a digestive fire. Here Agni in one or other way is having impact over Gut microbiota in following way;

Impairment in Agni leads to
↓
Formation of Undigested food particles and toxins, referred to as "Ama"
↓
Influence the gut environment and microbial composition may lead to changes in gut pH
↓
Can lead to an acidic environment
↓
Potentially affecting the growth and survival of different microbes
↓
Influencing the gut microbiota negatively, leads to gut dysbiosis
↓
When dysbiosis takes place the gut axis will automatically hamper with the all-organ system leading to various diseases
↓
By the above-described manner or way, we can understand that Sarverogau Api Mandagnau and All diseases begins in gut as they are interconnected with each other.

Discussion

According to Ayurveda, the seat of Agni is Koshta (Amashaya), and seat of microbiota is gut when we see, both are coincidently residing in same seat i.e., Gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The main function of Agni is to digest the assimilated food (Ahara) into Ahara Rasa,


J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(2)120
Shruti et al. Relation between Agni and Gut Microbiota

which is then transformed into respective Poshaka Bhava by virtue of Agni (digestive fire) and does Poshana (supplies nutrients) of Rasadi Dhatu by this health of an individual, is maintained. Gut microbiota also has the same function, where it helps in secretion of digestive enzymes by doing so, it aids in digestion process through which nutrients are readily absorbed. It helps in metabolism of food articles by maintaining the gut environment and nourishes the body. This gut microbiota is connected to every organ system of body through gut axis, which maintains healthy communication between gut and specific organs.

Since gut microbiota is having role in process of digestion and maintenance of healthy organ systems like wise Agni in Ayurveda is having Pachana (Digestion) process by this helps in maintaining healthy Sapta Dhatus (Rasadi Dhatus) by doing Poshana of Dhatus by respective Poshaka Bhava.

As we all know Sarverogau Api Mandagnau means all diseases of body are caused by Mandagni (reduced digestive fire). Agni is Moola for all disease formation and as well as healthy status. Likewise, according to statement of Hippocrates “All diseases begin in the gut” gives information about the role of digestive fire and gut in formation of different diseases and maintenance of health.

Agni and gut microbiota are having interconnection where one entity is depending on another. Gut microbiota is if hampered then there will be no or improper production of digestive enzymes. Agni if hampered then there is no proper digestion and absorption of Ahara. Here we can infer the importance of Gut microbiota and Agni for maintenance of gut environment.

Conclusion

The relationship between Agni (Digestive fire) and gut microbiota is complex and interconnected. While Ayurveda and modern science use different terminologies, there is interest in understanding the principles of Ayurveda, particularly those related to Agni, align with the current understanding of the gut microbiota - the microorganisms residing in the gut.

Ayurveda associates different types of Agni with specific Doshas. Imbalances in Agni can contribute to Dosha imbalances,

and the altered Dosha state might influence the gut environment and microbial composition may lead to changes in gut pH and the overall environment, potentially affecting the growth and survival of different microbes leading to gut dysbiosis resulting in manifestation of disease.

By analysing seat and functions of Agni and gut microbiota, which are more similar, one can understand relation of Agni, its role in formation of ama which is a cause for formation different diseases in different parts of Shareera and role of gut microbiota in causation of health and disease formation when its environment is normal and altered. Gut axis, which connects different organ systems in body. When it gets hampered, it becomes reason for disease formation of the respective organ. Like this when ama is formed in Amashaya due to Ahitakara Ahara and Vihara causes Agni Mandya and then formation of disease. This shows importance of Agni and its role in maintenance of health and formation of disease.

References

1. Psychology Today Canada. 8 surprising facts about your gut microbiome [Internet]. Psychology Today; 2021 Jun [cited 2024 May 24]. Available from: https://www. psychologytoday.com/CA/BLOG/URBAN-SURVIVAL/202106/8-SURPRISING-FACTS-ABOUT-YOUR-GUT-MICROBIOME [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

2. Agnivesha. Charaka. The Charaka Samhita (Ayurveda - Dipika's Ayushi Hindi - Commentary). Chapter 15, Verse 4. 2nd ed. Kushawaha HCS, editor. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2012. p. 376 [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

3. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Microbiome [Internet]. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; [cited 2024 May 24]. Available from: https://www. niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/science/microbiome#:~:text=The%20microbiome%20is%20the%20collection [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

4. Agnivesha. Charaka. The Charaka Samhita (Ayurveda - Dipika's Ayushi Hindi - Commentary). Chapter 15, Verses 3-4. 2nd ed. Kushawaha HCS, editor. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; 2012. p. 376 [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]


J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(2)121
Shruti et al. Relation between Agni and Gut Microbiota

5. Arneth BM. Gut–brain axis biochemical signaling from the gastrointestinal tract to the central nervous system: gut dysbiosis and altered brain function. Postgrad Med J. 2018 Aug;94(1114):446–52. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2017-135424 [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

6. Intili G, Paladino L, Rappa F, Alberti G, Plicato A, Calabrò F, Fucarino A, Cappello F, Bucchieri F, Tomasello G, et al. From dysbiosis to neurodegenerative diseases through different communication pathways: an overview. Biology. 2023;12(1):195. doi: 10.3390/biology12010195 [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

7. Mandagni is the root cause for all diseases according to Ayurvedic & allopathic views [Internet]. Scribd; [cited 2024 May 24]. Available from: https://www. scribd. com/document/522531727/Agnimandya [Crossref][PubMed][Google Scholar]

Disclaimer / Publisher's Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of Journals and/or the editor(s). Journals and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.


J Ayu Int Med Sci 2025;10(2)122