Agnimandya, Aruchi/ Arochaka
Agnimandya Janya Aruchi/ Arochaka (hypo-digestion-induced anorexia / loss of true taste & desire for food)
1. Samprapti (etiopathogenesis) in brief
| Stage | Key events | Classical references* |
|---|---|---|
| Hetu (causes) | Guru‑snigdha āhāra, achintana‑indriyārtha‑atiyoga, divā‑svapna, mandagni janya āma‑pāka | Cakradatta 8, A.Hr. Sū. 13 |
| Dosha‑dushti | Kapha (primary) → coats Jatharāgni & tongue; Vāta (associated vibandha); Pitta (↓ pachaka, ↑ mala‑mishrita rasa) | C.S. Chi. 15, Su. Sa. Sū. 46 |
| Dushya | Rasa‑dhātu, Rasavaha & Annavaha srotas | |
| Srotorodha | Kapha‑āma sludge blocks macroscopic & microscopic channels → rasa‑pravṛtti‑nirodha = tastelessness & satiety | |
| Lakṣaṇa | Aruchi (loss of relish), klama, ālasya, heaviness, nābhi‑gourava, belching of raw taste |
2. Samprapti‑vighatana (breaking the pathogenesis)
| Target | Strategy | Practical application |
|---|---|---|
| Āma–Kapha kapāṭana | Langhana & Pācana to clear obstructing sludge | Laghu āhāra (yavāgu, takra‑mastu) for 1–2 d; Pañcakola kvātha 40 ml tds |
| Agnidīpana | Uṣṇa‑tīkṣṇa deepanīya dravya | Chitrakādi vati 250 mg tds before meals; Trikatu cūrṇa 2 g with warm water |
| Viṣodhana (if Saṃsarga/Sannipāta or chronic) | Vamana in Kapha prādhānya, Virecana in Pitta prādhānya; Nirūha‑vasti if Vāta‑linked bloating/constipation | Classical order: Snehapāna → Svedana → Śodhana |
| Rasa‑srotas saṃśodhana | Bitter‑astringent, aromatic Hṛdya dravyas to restore taste buds and rasa circulation | Guduchi, Kirātatikta, Musta, Parpata in decoctions |
| Rasāyana (post‑clearance) | Support sustained Agni and taste | Dadimāvalehya 10 g tds after food for 4 weeks |
3. Chikitsā‑sūtra (therapeutic formulae)
- Langhana → Deepana → Pācana → Śodhana (pragāḍha doṣa) → Rasāyana
- “Tikta‑kaṭu‑uṣṇa‑laghu dravyaiḥ agniṃ dīpayet; lavaṇa‑sahitaṃ yat sarvārochaka‑nāśanam.”
- Pathya (seen as ancillary but essential): warm water, thin buttermilk spiced with Hingu & Śuṇṭhī, light millet gruels; avoid heavy dairy, fried food, day‑sleep.
4. Aushadha‑yoga (classical prescriptions)
| Purpose | Yoga (classical text) | Ingredients snapshot & dose | Anupāna / mode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Deepana‑Pācana | Chitrakādi Vati (Bha. Pr.) | Chitraka, Pippalī, Maricha, Ajamodā, Saindhava; 1 tab (250 mg) tds before food | Warm water |
| Agnituṇḍī Vati (Yoga Ratnākara) | Chitraka, Vatsanābha‑saṃśodhita, Ajamodā, Triphalā, Trikatu; 125 mg bd | “Śuṇṭhī‑sadita” takra | |
| Hingvāshtaka Cūrṇa (B.R.) | Hingu + Trikatu + Ajaji + Saindhava; 2 g with ghee before meals | Ghee + hot water | |
| Ama‑śoṣa & Kapha‑Lekhana | Pañcakola Kvātha (C.S.) | Pippalī, Pippalīmūla, Chavya, Citraka, Nagara; 40–60 ml tds | |
| Taste revival (Hṛdya‑dīpanīya) | Dadimādya Ghṛta (Cak.) | Dadima, Sunthi, Maricha, Ajaji, Saindhava, Goghṛta; 5 ml hs | Warm milk |
| Lavaṇabhāskar Cūrṇa (B.R.) | Saindhava, Kala‑lavaṇa, Trikatu, Jeeraka, Dhanyak, Hingu; 3 g tds after food | Lime‑warm water | |
| If Vāta–Kapha flatulence dominant | Jīraka‑Siddha Takra (A.Hr.) | Roast Jeeraka 5 g + 200 ml buttermilk; take tds | – |
| Chronic / post‑fever anorexia | Shaddharana Cūrṇa (Y.R.) | Trikatu, Chitraka, Patha, Hingu, Saindhava; 1 g tds | Honey |
| Paediatric palatability | Ārdraka‑Saindhava Lehya | Fresh ginger juice 10 ml + Saindhava 2 g + ghee 2 ml; lick before meals | – |
5. Supportive Pathya‑Apathya (diet & lifestyle)
| Do | Avoid |
|---|---|
| Warm water sips, thin mung dal soup with lemon, roasted pomegranate seeds with rock‑salt | Cold/carb‑laden drinks, bakery items, processed sugar, curd at night, day‑sleep |
| Light walk after meals, seated Vajrāsana 5 min for at least one meal | Holding natural urges, excessive screen time immediately after eating |
| Spice the diet mildly with Hingu, Jeeraka, Pippalī | Excess chilli or sour‑fermented pickles in acute gastritis stage |
6. Practical clinical pearls
- Observe the tongue. Heavy white‑sticky coat = Kapha‑āma; thin yellow = Pitta; black‑brown dry = Vāta–Pitta. Tailor Deepana vs Śodhana accordingly.
- Sequence matters. Administer Tikta‑Kaṭu herbs after even a mini‑Langhana (liquid fast) for better tolerance.
- Doṣa‑sāmya ≠ Gastric Acid. Classical Deepana herbs stimulate coordinated gastric, pancreatic and hepatobiliary secretions; they are not mere acidifiers.
- In recurrent Agnimāndya associated with hypothyroidism or IBS, add Ārōgyavardhinī Vati 250 mg bd for 8 weeks (monitor LFT).
- Contra‑indications: Avoid Vamana in severe dehydration, uncontrolled hypertension, children < 7 y; avoid strong Tikta‑Kaṭu in active gastritis ulcers—use mild carminatives first.