Agni-Wise Herbal Combinations

Formulation Logic — WHY Herbs Are Combined (Not Just WHAT Is Combined)

Ayurveda rarely uses single herbs in isolation.

Not because single herbs are weak —
but because the human body is complex.

Digestion, metabolism, nerves, tissues, immunity — none of these work in straight lines. They operate as networks. Therefore herbs must also work in relationships, not isolation.

Every classical formulation follows four core intentions:

1. To act correctly on Agni

2. To prevent side-effects of strong herbs

3. To guide herbs deeper into tissues (Anupana logic)

4. To follow the natural sequence: Ama first — nourishment later

This chapter explains how herbs are combined based on the state of Agni, not disease labels.

🔑 The Fundamental Rule of Ayurvedic Formulation

Formulations are built around Agni — not symptom names.

Bloating, acidity, fatigue, constipation are outcomes.
Agni imbalance is the cause.

The same symptom may require:

• heating herbs in one person
• cooling herbs in another
• stabilizing herbs in a third

This is why Ayurvedic formulations appear intelligent, adaptive, and precise when understood correctly.

I. Mandagni

(Weak Digestive Fire — Kapha Dominance — Ama Accumulation)

Food enters but fails to transform. Instead of nourishment, heaviness and toxins accumulate.

🎯 Therapeutic Intention

Not Rasayana.
Not strengthening.

First goal:

• ignite Agni
• digest Ama
• open blocked channels
• restore digestive confidence

Rasayana is strictly avoided initially.

Combination 1 — Basic Deepana–Pachana (Trikatu)

Ratio

• Shunthi – 1
• Maricha – 1
• Pippali – 1

Logic

Shunthi → gently ignites Jatharagni
Maricha → breaks sticky Ama & clears srotas
Pippali → carries action deeper into tissues

Together they:

• stimulate appetite
• reduce heaviness
• improve tissue metabolism

Dosage

Adults: 500 mg–1 g twice daily before meals
Children: 250 mg once/twice daily
Anupana: warm water or honey (avoid honey in high Kapha)

Clinical Use

• heaviness after meals
• sluggish digestion
• early metabolic slowdown

Combination 2 — Severe Mandagni with Heavy Ama

Ratio

• Chitrak – ½
• Pippali – 1
• Shunthi – 1

Logic

Chitrak → strong Agni ignition
Pippali → prevents tissue depletion
Shunthi → protects mucosa & smoothens heat

Short-term only (Ama breaking phase).

Dosage

Adults: 250–500 mg once daily (7–14 days)

❌ Children: not advised
Anupana: warm water

Avoid in

• ulcers
• burning sensations
• Tikshnagni

Combination 3 — Mandagni with Gas & Bloating

Ratio

• Hing – 1
• Ajwain – 2
• Shunthi – 1

Logic

Hing → releases trapped Vata
Ajwain → normalizes peristalsis
Shunthi → sustains digestion

Dosage

Adults: 500 mg after meals
Children: 125–250 mg
Anupana: warm water

II. Tikshnagni

(Excess Digestive Fire — Pitta Dominant)

Tikshnagni is not strong digestion.
It is uncontrolled digestion.

Fire burns instead of cooking.

🎯 Therapeutic Intention

• cool without suppressing Agni
• heal mucosa
• stabilize digestion

Cooling Agni Stabilizer

Amalaki – 2
Guduchi – 1

Amalaki cools while preserving digestion
Guduchi balances heat + immunity

Adults: 1–2 g twice daily
Children: 500 mg
Anupana: water

Gastric Healing Formula

Yashtimadhu – 2
Shatavari – 2
Amalaki – 1

Yashtimadhu heals lining
Shatavari stabilizes Pitta
Amalaki prevents Agni suppression

Adults: 2–3 g twice daily
Children: 500 mg–1 g
Anupana: milk or water

Tikshnagni with Loose Stools

Bilva – 2
Musta – 1
Amalaki – 1

Adults: 1–2 g twice daily
Children: 500 mg once daily

III. Vishamagni

(Irregular Digestion — IBS Pattern)

Vishamagni is a rhythm disorder, not a strength problem.

🎯 Therapeutic Intention

• stabilize digestion
• lubricate Vata
• calm gut–brain axis

Vata–Agni Regulator

Hing – ½
Ajwain – 2
Saindhava – ½

Adults: 250–500 mg before meals
Children: 125 mg
Anupana: warm water

Vishamagni with Anxiety

Shunthi – 1
Pippali – 1

Anupana: ghee
Adults: 500 mg once/twice daily
Children: 125–250 mg

Alternating Constipation–Diarrhea

Triphala – 1
Anupana: ghee

Adults: 500 mg at night
Children: 125 mg

⚠ Avoid dry Triphala in severe Vata.

IV. Samagni

(Balanced Digestion — Preventive Phase)

Here herbs protect digestion instead of correcting it.

Daily Agni Protector

Triphala – 1
Amalaki – 1

Adults: 500 mg at night
Children: 125 mg

🌱 Core Clinical Truth

Ayurveda never feeds weak digestion.
It repairs digestion first.

Ama must be cleared before Rasayana.
Agni must stabilize before nourishment.

This single principle prevents 80% of therapeutic failures.