CONCEPT OF AGNI IN ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND ITS MANAGEMENT THROUGH YOGA& AYURVEDA

In Ayurveda, the concept of Agni is inevitable in determining the overall health of an individual, where Agni is said to be the base (moola) of life. The whole catabolic and metabolic processes are carried out in human body, regulated by Agni .But if due to Pragyaparadh or faulty lifestyle, the Agni is deranged then the metabolic activity becomes disturbed at cellular tissue and organ level and it fascilitates to the formation of Ama. Hence, Ama is a triggering factor of many diseases that in turn destroys the Agni. Atherosclerosis occurs mainly due to lifestyle abnormality which is a direct result of Ama accumulation in the body. It is observed that 17.7 million people die each year from Cardiovascular Disorders, in which Atherosclerosis is the precipitating factor and an estimated 31% of all deaths worldwide (acc to WHO). Atherosclerosis is a condition where the arteries become narrowed and hardened due to a build up of Plaque around the artery wall. This disease disrupts the flow of blood around the body, posing the risk of serious complications. The term ‘AtherosclerosisÂ' is derived from the Greek word ‘atheroÂ' meaning gruel or wax corresponding to the necrotic core area at the base of atherosclerotic plaque and ‘sclerosisÂ' for hardening the plaques luminal edge. Apart from drug, Yoga therapy may play a pivotal role for alleviation of Atherosclerosis. Yoga therapy improves the blood flow to the organs by neuromuscular action. Practice of Pranayama stimulates and changes the lumen size of the arterioles, which helps to regulate the circulation.