Jāṭharāgni (metabolic fire) is of the prime importance in the maintenance of health as well as causation of diseases. Food which is consumed by the person shares the major responsibility for being healthy or manifestation ofdiseases. The relation between food and health is mediated by Jāṭharāgni (the metabolic agent in Ayurveda).
There are four different states of Jāṭharāgni viz,
· Mandāgni (mild or weak state of metabolic fire),
· Viṣamāgni (irregular state of metabolic fire),
· Tīkṣnāgni (sharp or intense state of metabolic fire), and Samāgni (Normal state of metabolic fire)
· Samāgni (Normal state of metabolic fire) is said to be the normal State and maintains the health of an individual.
All the other states are considered as abnormal.