What Is Ama in Ayurveda?

According to Ayurveda theory, the energy of transformation is regulated by Agni, by Pitta, and it is the key to maintaining balance, harmony, and well-being. Thus, the observation of the state of our Agni is of vital importance to prevent any disorder of whatever type.

Due to the weakness of the digestive fire, there is imbalance and aggravation of the doshas. Therefore, one must always protect his digestive fire and prevent all activities that could weaken.

What Is Ama In Ayurvedic Medicine?

The deterioration or imbalance of the biological humour, Vata, Pitta, and Kapha creates toxins, called Ama in Sanskrit, that circulate throughout the body, and through the circulation accumulate in the weakest areas of the body.

The root of all ailments is Ama, it blocks the intestines, with which they do not perform their function of assimilation and absorption of food correctly, it blocks the capillaries, veins, and arteries, and the blood absorbs the toxins that enter circulation throughout the body.

This is then accumulated in the weakest places, weakening the organs and reducing our immune system, and finally manifesting as ailments in various forms (diabetes, arthritis, etc).

Ama can have different causes, but all of them could be termed as originating from poor digestion, be it food-related or emotional, repressing emotions or not digesting them.

Our digestive fire varies, it can be weakened for the following reasons:

  • Excessive cold and liquid substances, especially ice water, especially in winter, and frequently before meals.
  • Eating too much or too little.
  • Excess heavy food.
  • Only eat when the previous meal has been digested.
  • Inappropriate food combinations
  • Suppression of natural reflex impulses, causing Vata to move in inappropriate directions.
  • Sleep disorders.
  • Consumption of foods that you are not used to or at an inappropriate time depending on the seasons, weather, age, etc.
  • Excessive (especially sexual) or insufficient activity.
  • Mental causes such as envy, fear, anger, greed, anguish, suffering, and sadness.

13 impulses should never be restricted:

  1. The expulsion of urine.
  2. The expulsion of faeces.
  3. The expulsion of gases.
  4. The vomit.
  5. The sneeze.
  6. The burp.
  7. Not eating when you are hungry.
  8. Do Not drink when you are thirsty.
  9. Not sleeping when sleepy.
  10. Don’t cry when you are sad.
  11. Don’t pant after a workout
  12. Do not ejaculate when the arousal is irresistible.

The restriction of these impulses causes Vata to move in an abnormal direction through the srotas. Repressed emotions can also cause toxins in the body, repressed anger can cause stomach pain, heartburn, gastritis, and ulcers and often affects the stomach lining. Repressed fear or anxiety can alter the flora of the large intestine, causing gas, pain, or constipation.

Vata due to its instability is the first dosha to become unbalanced, therefore we must always have Vata in the greatest possible harmony. According to Svoboda Vata is the main cause of the development of all derangements whatever their type, and Ama would be the food of derangement.