The Interface of Agni and Homeostasis: A Comparative Literature Review of Jwara and Pyrexia

Abstract

Fever, or pyrexia, is a universal clinical sign of illness, yet its management and conceptual understanding differ between Western medicine and Ayurveda. In Ayurveda, Jwara is considered the "Lord of all diseases," involving a complex interplay of Dosha, Agni (digestive fire), and Srotas (channels). Objective: This review aims to synthesize Ayurvedic Samprapti (pathogenesis) with modern physiological mechanisms of pyrexia and thermoregulation. Methods: A literature review was conducted using classical Ayurvedic Samhitas (Charaka, Sushruta, and Ashtanga Hridaya) and modern medical textbooks. Results: The study identifies that Jwara begins in the Amashaya (stomach) and involves the displacement of Agni to the periphery. This correlates precisely with the hypothalamic resetting of the body’s "set point" via endogenous pyrogens like Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂). Intermittent patterns like Tritiyaka and Chaturthaka Jwara match the erythrocytic cycles of Malaria. Conclusion: Integrating the Ayurvedic focus on Langhana (fasting) and Srotoshodhana (channel clearing) with modern antipyretic understanding offers a holistic approach to managing febrile illness. The article highlights that symptomatic treatment addresses the root metabolic shift (Santapa), reinforcing Jwara Chikitsa as the foundational framework for all therapeutics.