Agni In Clinical Practice

It is a matter of pleasure to introduce Dr.P.M.Madhu's latest book, `AGNI in clinical practice'. Dr. Anjali Sivaram is the co-author. This hundred paged book with four well divided parts, covers the basic theories and applications of the physiological phenomenon, Agni.

A living body cannot survive without several transformations inside. Food has to be converted into body. Differences in the environment are adapted by the body with certain changes with-in the normalcy. All these are very sophisticated mechanisms, not easy to be explained. Each process is envisaged as a series of subtle conversions. The cumulative effect is manifested as a gross transformation. Also there are various planes for this dynamism- from the system to cellular levels; from the visible to the intangible. There will not be any end, if we penetrate deeper into this biological function. But as far as Ayurveda is concerned, a pragmatic and application-oriented approach is needed. This is evolved through centuries of experimentations and validations. This phenomenon is termed as agni.

Agni is a physiological entity conceptualized and identified by Ayurveda. Even though its function is decentralized, there is consolidated regulatory centre. These locally active structures are recognized as dhathvagni, bhuthagni etc. The principal Agni, jatharagni is connoted by the term agni always. The opening part of the book narrates the basic physiology pertaining to agni. Starting from the conceptualization in Indian philosophy, the adaptations in Ayurveda are well explained. For Ayurveda, metabolism is a continuation of digestion.

**Contents and Sample Pages**