Concept of Mandagni with Special Reference to Hypochlorhydria
Author : Dr. Amalendu Pal and Dr. Chanchal Roy
Abstract :
Jatharagni is responsible for proper digestion and metabolism of food. Mandagni, is an abnormal state of Jatharagni. According to Ayurveda, Mandagni is considered a root cause of various diseases in the body. This work explores the aetiological factors of Mandagni from both Ayurvedic and Modern medical literature perspectives drawing a parallel with hypochlorhydria, a condition characterized by low gastric acid secretion. The study categorizes causes of Mandagni under diet, lifestyle, disease states, psychological factors, seasonal variation, age, and body constitution as per Ayurvedic texts. Similarly, modern causes such as chronic gastritis, gastric surgeries, acid-suppressing drugs (e.g., proton pump inhibitors), and psychological stress are examined in relation to hypochlorhydria. The pathogenesis (samprapti) of Mandagni reveals disruption in Agni leading to formation of Ama, impaired metabolism, and a wide range of disorders including gastrointestinal and nutritional diseases. The findings establish a strong interrelationship between Mandagni and hypochlorhydria, highlighting the clinical relevance of this Ayurvedic concept in the management of digestive and systemic illnesses in both traditional and modern contexts.
Keywords :
Mandagni, Jatharagni, Hypochlorhydria etc.
