Ayurveda described the concept of Ama as a biological entity responsible for many pathological events inside the body
Ama is often loosely translated as undigested food resulting from a process that is entirely gastrointestinal. A careful study of the texts, however, indicates that the production of Ama is a systemic process that extends to metabolic and other physiological processes in the body.
In the tradition of Ayurveda, Ama has been defined from three viewpoints. On a closer examination, it can be understood that these three viewpoints represent Ama in its totality. The three positions on Ama are summarized below:
Ama is the by-product of impaired digestion
Ama is the accumulation of unexpelled wastes in the body
Ama is the first expression of aberrations in the physiological processes of the body.
Ayurveda described the concept of Ama as a biological entity responsible for many pathological events inside the body. Ama vitiates Doshas and disturbs Dhatu-samya, after combining with Dosha and mala, Ama initiates pathogenesis of diseases.
Description of Ama can be amplified by the following factors:
Impaired of Agni
Indigestion
Over eating
Irregular diet habits
Indulgence in incompatible articles of food
The consumption of cold substances
The wasting of tissues which follows in the wake of diseases
Allergic states caused by changes in places, climate, season, and the suppression of natural urges, fails to digest even the most easily digestible light food.
Thus, the undigested food attains fermentation (Shuktatwa), leading to the onset of toxic states. Acharyas had described some Ama Pradoshaj conditions such as Visuchika, Alasaka and Vilambika which is represented where there is a combination of Ama with Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Ama evolves through several stages:
Formative Phase: Ama forms and accumulates in the body, often without noticeable symptoms. Indigestion leads to Ama only when Kapha is involved; with Vata, it results in Vishtabdha (drying and degeneration), and with Pitta, it causes Vidagdha (inflammation).
Interactive Phase: Ama interacts with the doshas, becoming more complex. This interaction leads to Sama Vata, Sama Pitta, and Sama Kapha.
When Ama combines with Vata, it impacts the lower abdomen, disrupting the functioning of the colon and joints. The symptoms associated with Vata Ama include a dry mouth, astringent taste, constipation, dry skin, bloating, pain, and arthritis.
Conversely, when Ama interacts with Pitta Dosha, it accumulates in the middle abdomen, affecting the small intestine and liver. Pitta Ama circulates through the bloodstream, exhibiting sour and acidic qualities, and can impart a bitter taste in the mouth. This condition may result in heartburn, diarrhea, nausea, and acid indigestion.
When Kapha combines with Ama, it tends to accumulate in the stomach and chest. Kapha Ama is characterized by a foul smell, a salty taste in the mouth, reduced appetite, sinus congestion, and tenderness.
It can also involve body tissues/Dhatus:
Rasa Dhatu: Plasma/lymph fluid
Rakta Dhatu: Blood
Mamsa Dhatu: Muscles
Meda Dhatu: Fat
Asthi Dhatu: Bone
Majja Dhatu: Bone marrow
Shukra Dhatu: Reproductive fluid or Semen
Disease Manifestation: This stage sees the emergence of degenerative, inflammatory, or infectious diseases, known as the sama stage, which is acute.
Complications Phase: Here, Amavisha develops, representing a critical stage that may lead to severe consequences, including death.
Resolution Phase: Active interactions between Ama, doshas, and Dhatus cease, allowing for recovery with varying damage levels or transitioning into a chronic phase, known as the nirama stage.
Ankylosing spondylitis, crohn's disease, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and lupus erythematodes, etc. can be considered as autoimmune diseases that arise as a response against Ama.
Ayurveda management of Ama Doshas
Nidan Parivarjan refers to the avoidance of causative factors that can help prevent the harmful effects of Ama. It's essential to steer clear of overeating and to consume properly cooked food.
Foods that are hot, sour, heavy, and oily are not advisable.
Psychological stress can dampen metabolic energy (Agni), so it’s important to avoid stress, anxiety, anger, and grief.
The substances recommended for neutralizing Ama (Ama Pachan) should be tailored to the individual's Prakriti (Body -type).
To eliminate Ama and balance the Doshas, various methods such as Agni Dipana herbs (herbs to channelise metabolic energy) , Shodhana therapy (cleansing), Swedana therapy (stream/ Sauna), Snehana (oil therapy), and Yoga can be beneficial.
For digesting Vata : herbs that can help soften Ama and alleviate aggravated Vata Dosha:
Trikatu
Ginger
Black pepper
Cinnamon
Asafoetida
Ajwain
Fennel
Pitta Ama can be pacified with the use of :
Bitter herbs and spices
Coriander
Cinnamon
Lime
Detoxification measures are also effective in removing Pitta Ama.
To address Kapha Ama:
Expectorants and emetic drugs can be utilized
Pungent and bitter herbs are effective in pacifying Kapha Ama
Trikatu
Ginger
Pippali
Chitrak
Garlic
Vidanga
Tulsi
The concept in Ayurveda is that if treated in early stages, it is possible to interfere with the degenerative, inflammatory and other progressive pathologies for early prevention of disease.
There are also specific interventions in more active stages of the progression of Ama. Depending upon the severity, quantity as well as type of Ama, a three pronged approach has been advised to tackle Amadosha.
Langhana (Fasting) : Langhana involves restriction of nutritional intake even to the extent of complete fasting to rest the digestive and metabolic apparatuses of the body.
Langhana Pachana and (Fasting coupled with metabolic boosters) : Langhana Pachana involves prescribing active medications also, which will neutralize and transform the Ama by digesting and metabolizing it so that it is rendered inactive. Specific medicines are to be used depending upon the type of Ama.
Shodhana (Cleansing) : Shodhana is a purification process, which removes the Amadosha from the body altogether.
When used in the appropriate context, these three measures can help to neutralize, inactivate and eliminate Ama from the system.
Comments