Digestive System is unique in different ways, on one side this provides the nutrition to the body and mind on other hand this system is also responsible for the removal of waste products from the body through anal route. Digestive system is situated inside the body, just like a central pipe, which is surrounded by different organs on each side. Where this is in touch with the biggest chemistry lab of the body- Liver, this also works in coordination with biggest endocrine gland of the body- Pancreas.

This is a system which provides all nutrition to the body so this is important to care properly. This is what we can compare to a fuel system of any machine. If there are some problems with the digestive system, the biggest problem created will be the lack of nutrition- commonly known as Malnutrition.

In clinic, we have seen so many patients who used to take some supplements, vitamins and proteins to make body more efficient. Look at these points-------

• If their fuel system- Digestive system is not working properly, how can these supplements and vitamins will be beneficial for any one?
• If mucosa of digestive system is not capable of “absorbing” any food then can you think to overload the system with these Vitamins?
• There are so many wastes inside the digestive system- can you think for some better response from the system?
• Digestive system is not like a fuel tank, this is more like a fuel system inside the engine- so it doesn’t matter that what type of fuel you are using in your machine. This is the “quality” of the engine- which determines the working of the system!

So, what Ayurveda tells about Digestive system?

According to Ayurveda, this- Digestive System is the most important system of the body. Health is mainly dependant on the activities of this system, if this system is working well, only then- one can think about health. Otherwise health is just a dream. Modern science might not agree on this point with Ayurveda-(Modern Science is mechanical and they full of ignorance) because their hypothetical studies are suggestive of something else- that this system is the most important system. They, modern day doctors- don’t agree on this directly, but indirectly they don’t have a choice of accepting this.

This may sound totally funny that a neuro-physician should be a good gastroenterologist? Still this is true!! This might be a condition of the neuritis or paralysis or even of epilepsy or that of memory loss- there is a great substance secreted by the digestive system, this is Serotonin. The neurotransmitter important for the normal activities of the brain and nerves! So what do you think- shouldn’t a neuro-physician should be aware about activities of the digestive system?

Approach of Ayurveda is completely wholistic- comprising and including all on contrary approach of modern day science is just opposite- Objective. A doctor of heart will be full of ignorance towards the working of the nervous system or digestive system. We at www.AyurvedicDietSolutions.com are discussing the systems to present a systemic and well planned study of the different systems of the body, our aim is not to categorize the human body in different systems. We always regard the WHOLISTIC approach of the eternal science Ayurveda!

Okay, we have discussed about general things more than requirement. Let’s find that how digestive system works!

According to Ayurveda everything revolves surround the three Doshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The same theory of three Doshas is applicable on all the systems.

Digestive system, alone is a system which is ruled by three different Doshas in three different regions. This order is Kapha-Pitta and Vata. We can see the same demarcation according to modern day sciences also. This demarcation is anatomically proven by science nowadays. In embryological development the whole digestive system develop into three segments and these are well known as Fore Gut, Mid Gut and Hind Gut.

Fore Gut—Part of digestive system up to the opening of the bile duct right from esophagus

Mid Gut-From the opening of the bile duct up to the transverse colon

Hind Gut- From transverse colon up to the anal canal

So fore gut includes- Esophagus, Stomach and some part of Duodenum

Mid Gut includes- Esophagus, Stomach and some part of Duodenum

Hind Gut includes- Last remnant part of the large intestine.

Doshas for the different parts of intestine:-

Fore Gut- Kapha

Mid Gut- Pitta

Hind Gut- Vata

This can be understood easily from the table easily-

So diseases in all these three parts will be according to these Doshas.

There are also two types of conditions of these Doshas. In one condition the relevant Dosha will be weak and secondly the effected Dosha might be increased excessively. Generally it is thought that it is always good to “reduce” a Dosha, not necessary!! The most important thing is to bring the harmony of the Doshas.

Balance is a force-oriented term and this is the reason- Ayurveda never talks about Balance, what Ayurveda says is the Harmony!

When this harmony is disturbed body starts facing the problems. For example- if level of Kapha is low in the region of the Kapha- Pitta will be dominant in that place and will cause a problem there. This is the condition of Hyperacidity and Ulcers. We all know well that Kapha is protective and it nourishes, if there is some problem with Kapha- Kapha is not natural, and then Pitta takes on its place and starts irritating the lining of Stomach. This might be as low profile as- Gastritis and might go up to the level of the Peptic Ulcers and even perforation of the stomach!

So this is important to maintain the harmony in between the different Doshas for the wellness of this system.

Here are some diseases of the system-

Constipation

Hyperacidity

Peptic Ulcers

Ulcerative Colitis

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Food Allergies

Hemorrhoids

Pancreatitis

Hepatitis

Alcoholic Liver

Liver Fibrosis