Ama Dosha in Ayurveda

Ama is a key factor in ayurveda, which produces in the body due to low digestive fire in the alimentary canal and at cellular or tissue level. Ama can block the channels in the body, which results in various diseases. Ama can also be defined as toxic particles formed in the body due to ill digestion and ill metabolism.

According to Ayurveda, proper digestion of food is one of the most important processes in a human body. In case, the food is not digested completely and properly, a toxic residue is created and that can convert into AMAVISHA (toxins) and penetrate deeper into the body cells. This accumulation of “AMA or AMAVISHA” is harmful for the body.

Ama formed in Alimentary Canal

When there is low digestive fire in the alimentary canal including stomach and intestines, it leads to insufficient and ill digestion of food particles and some food particles remain undigested, which is known as AMA.

However, this type of AMA can only result in digestive ailments such as indigestion, appetite loss, malabsorption etc. It is not absorbable into the blood or lymph.

AMAVISHA

When AMA further metabolizes in the alimentary canal, it produces a toxic substances, which are known as AMAVISHA. Intestines can absorb this AMAVISHA into the blood or lymph. It can also mix with Humors (DOSHA), tissues (DHATUs) and wastes products (MALA) in the body, which leads to various diseases.

Ama formed in DHATUs (Tissues & Cells)

The cells and tissues further process the absorbed nutrients (including major and minor nutrients) and use them for their energy requirement, growth and development.

There is a metabolic power in every cell and tissue, which is called DHATU-AGNI in ayurveda. When this DHATU-AGNI (metabolic power) becomes weak, it leads to improper processing of nutrients. Due to ill metabolism in cells and tissues, AMA is also formed at cellular and tissue levels, which results in weakness of the DHATUs.

Further, this AMA can also clog the micro channels including information flow between the cells, which results in diseases. These diseases can occur at weakest part of the body where AMA can accumulate easily.

GARVISHA

The bioaccumulation of external or environmental toxins in the body is called GARVISHA. It also results in several diseases that occur due to pollution.

Signs & effects of AMA

The following signs and effects indicate AMA accumulation in the body.

1. Feeling of loss of energy or strength
2. Feeling of heaviness in the body
3. Laziness
4. Indigestion
5. Excessive salivation
6. Excess mucus production
7. Anorexia
8. Tiredness
9. Disturbance in bowel movement and elimination

Other symptoms, which may also indicate AMA formation in the body, are as follows:

1. Reduced appetite
2. Bad breath
3. Coated tongue
4. Generalized body ache (dull type pain)
5. Depression with long-lasting sadness

How to Prevent AMA Formation

To prevent AMA formation in the body, one should take care of following things:

1. Avoid overeating.
2. Avoid packed and preserved foods, processed foods, frozen foods and junk foods.
3. Avoid drinking water up to 30 minutes before meal and 2 hours after meal.
4. Take a balance diet, which includes all types of foods especially vegetables and fruits.
5. Mix all six tastes (sweet, salt, sour, bitter, pungent and astringent) in every meal.
6. Always allows the previous meal to digest properly before next meals i.e. eat only when you are hungry.
7. Do not eat too slow or too fast.
8. Choose easily digestible food.

A healthy eating is the basic step towards a complete cure from the accumulation of AMA.