Indigestion : Qualities of food as per Ayurveda

Ayurveda for a healthy life- 66/2025 on 16.12.2025

Ayurvedic perspective ( to decide treatment part) on Indigestion

2. Qualities of food

Ancient chemical science has noted 20 physical characteristics in every object whether it is plant, animal or edible item. Qualities of any medicine or food item are described in Ayurveda as :

1. Guru – Heavy

2. Laghu – Light

3. Sheeta – Cold

4. Ushna – Hot

5. Manda – Slow acting

6. Tikshna – Penetrating

7. Ruksha – Dry

8. Snigdha – Smooth and oily

9. Khara – Rough

10. Shlakshna – Smooth

11. Drava – Liquid

12. Sandra – Thick

13. Kathina – Hard

14. Mrudu – Soft

15. Sthira – Steady

16. Sara – Spreading and flowing

17. Sukshma – Minute

18. Sthula – Bulky

19. Vishada – Clear

20. Pichchhila – Sticky and fibrous

2A . Biological qualities in relation with the digestibility of the food item

These physical properties are described as biological qualities. The qualities are described in comparison with human tissues. Thus, when Ayurveda describes meat of a buffalo as heavy, that of a goat as neither heavy nor light and that of a deer as light, it is in relation with the digestibility of the food item. These qualities indicate the effect of the food item or medicine on the human body. For example, pippali and garlic are hot, that is, they generate heat in the body by stimulating the metabolic process while amalaki and brahmi are cold, that is, they have a cooling effect on the human body.

1. Hot (ushna) and cold (sheeta) food items

The hot and cold qualities of any food item or medicine are not judged by the actual temperature of the substance or food item. Some effects of hot and cold substances on the human body are described ahead.

Ushna (hot) – Sheeta (cold) : Pippali and Marking nut (Bhallatak) are ushna, but amalaki and brahmi are sheeta. This does not mean that it is ushna or sheeta on the basis of its touch, and it also does not mean that its temperature is high or low. On their adsorbtion by the body, they have a hot or cold effect on the body.

1A. Due to heat, ice gets converted into water. Similarly, due to intake of hot food items or medicines, all the normal and abnormal discharges in the body, e.g. saliva, sputum, pus, etc. become thinner that is more fluid. On the other hand, cold food items and medicines make the discharges thicker.

1B. Heat expands and cold contracts all substances. All the blood vessels, bronchi and small passages in the body get dilated with the intake of hot medicines or food items and are contracted with cold medicines or food items. In the night, the bronchioles
(air-passages) constrict due to cold, leading to more difficulty in breathing (and asthama attacks).

1C. During summer and with the intake of hot medicines and food items, the body and mind are heated and the individual becomes restless. On the other hand, cold food items and medicines have a cooling effect on the body and mind. Marking nut (Bhallatak) is very effective in burning some cancerous tissues. The concentration of medicines and food substances differs in different organs. The effect of hot environment is noticed more on the skin and in the lungs.

Hot food substances & medicines increase the metabolism of the different tissues and organs in the body. On the other hand, cold medicines and food items reduce the metabolism of the different organs in the body.

In general, pungent, sour and salty food items are hot while sweet, bitter and astringent food items are cold. Though cool to touch, curds is hot, due to its sour taste. Though pomegranate and amalaki are sour in taste, they have a cooling effect on the body.

2. In which individuals are hot food items indicated and contraindicated ?

Hot food items are beneficial for lazy and obese individuals and those with a Kapha constitution. In winter, everyone should eat hot food items. Hot food items are easy to digest, relieve abdominal distension and increase the appetite. They are useful in cough, asthma and hiccups. Hot food items should be consumed in less quantity in summer. They are contraindicated in weak individuals, those having a Pitta constitution and patients suffering from a burning sensation and bleeding disorders.

3. In which individuals are cold food items indicated and contraindicated ?

Cold food items and medicines are useful in individuals who have a pitta constitution, and patients suffering from high body temperature, excessive sweating, weakness, giddiness, vomiting and bleeding disorders. Cold food items should be consumed by everyone in summer.

Cold drinks and ice-creams when taken in excess reduce the secretion of digestive juices and stop the digestive process in the stomach for half an hour. Cold food items are contraindicated in individuals who have a Vata and Kapha constitution and patients suffering from cold, cough and asthma, presence of oedema on overall body, diarrhoea and distension of the abdomen.