An important concept in Ayurveda is the digestive fire which kindles all biological processes. Ayurveda, a wholistic system of medicine from India, refers to this by the Sanskrit term, agni. It is manifested by enzymes and acids that break down the food in your stomach and intestines (like a fire), so that the cells of your body can assimilate the nutrients. When your digestive fire is strong, the enzymes and acids do a thorough job of breaking down and metabolizing the foods you eat so that they can provide proper nourishment for your cells and tissues to function and replenish themselves. The digestive fire also destroys harmful bacteria, microorganisms, and toxins in your digestive tract.