The Ayurvedic view of toxins: Ama
The Ayurvedic view of toxins: Ama
“When food is undigested because the digestive fire (agni) is low it becomes fermented and collects in the stomach. It is known as ama.”
- Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita
Toxins are seen as one of the main causes of disease. They obstruct the flow of vata and hence cause a build up of all three doshas. They also deplete the strength of the digestive system, which is at the root of all diseases.
In Ayurveda toxins are known as ama - this means the un-metabolised wastes that are not utilised by the body. It is foodstuffs that are absorbed but then not used, or which are undigested and create intestinal fermentation and imbalance all 3 doshas.
Ama means unripe, uncooked, immature and undigested.
It takes the form of kapha; sticky, heavy, viscous, slimy, unctuous, wet, cold, sweet, causing blockage of the channels (srotarodha), and stagnation.
Astanga Hridaya Sutra (13.25) states that the impairment of the agni causes a fermentation of annarasa, the first part of rasa dhatu. This fermented food creates ama.
Sama, meaning ‘with ama’, occurs when the aggravated doshas, dhatus, and malas become mixed with ama. Nirama, means without ‘ama’, but the dosha is aggravated.
CAUSES: Mandagni; low digestive power, over-eating, raw food, heavy, cold, contaminated, too wet food, incompatible food, irritating foods, gaseous foods, fried foods, extreme emotions, irregular eating habits, dairy products, processed foods (the 5 whites), yeast, sweet, salty and sour flavour, sleeping or eating before food is digested, sleeping in the day, lack of exercise.
SIGNS: Feeling heavy, muzzy headed, unclear thinking, aches and pains, bloating, gas, skin blemishes, fever, lack of energy, stickiness, foul smells (breath, sweat, urine, stools, phlegm), sinking stool, mucous in stool, turbid urine, lack of appetite or taste, indigestion, sticky/sweet taste in the mouth, copious phlegm.
Pulse; deep, dull, slippery
Tongue; thick, greasy coating, swollen body
Modern signs of ama: High triglycerides, atherosclerosis, late-onset diabetes, high blood sugar levels, some forms of depression, rheumatoid factor, the presence of H. pylori bacteria, leukocytosis or leukocytopenia (deficient and excess white blood cells), excess anti-bodies, Candida albicans in the gut and uterus, blood urea, gout, excess platelet count, High IgE levels from allergic reactions, excess red blood cells, gall stones as a sign of excess bile, kidney stones as a sign of un-metabolised calcium and oxalates, high liver enzymes (ALT, AST), intra-occular pressure (glaucoma), bacterial infection, high temperature, tumours.
TREATING AMA
Herbal therapy:
Bitter flavour reduces, dries and drains ama
Pungent destroys and digests it
Combining these two flavours is the optimum method for the treatment of ama.
Some examples: 1 Ginger and 1 Guduchi (Tinosporia cordyfolia), 1 Wormwood and 1 Horseradish, 1 Turmeric and 1 Barberry.
Be careful of excess use of bitters in a vata condition or of excess pungent for pitta types.
Try taking Guduchi Liver formula with Triphala Plus for 2-4 weeks for a very effective cleanse.
Herbs for reducing ama:
1. Anti-vata: Fresh Ginger, Linseed, Nutmeg, Garlic, Asafoetida, Cumin, Black Pepper, Fennel, Castor oil. Also try Asafoetida Formula, which is very useful for clearing wind, bloating and spasms from the intestines.
2. Anti-pitta: Kalmegh, Aloe Vera, Fennel, Coriander, Guduchi, Neem. Also try Amalaki formula that contains cooling herbs to clear heat toxins from the system.
3. Anti-kapha: Ginger, Cumin, Black pepper, Pushkaramoola, Punarnava, Tulsi, Vacha, Guggul. Also try the famous Ayurvedic formula called Trikatu, renowned for its heating properties that can literally digest toxins.
Specific Therapies: Sweating, fasting, hot water, wind and sun therapy, vigorous exercise.
Anti-ama Diet: Emphasise pungent, bitter, astringent flavours
Fruit: No sweet fruit, only sour - cranberry, lemon, lime, grapefruit
Vegtables: Steamed sprouts, steamed vegetables – some raw is good for pitta. Lots of greens; microalgae – especially chlorella. No root/sweet vegetables or mushrooms
Grains: No bread/ pastries. Less wheat and oats. Kicharee; barley, quinoa, millet, rye, rice
Beans: Mung
Nuts: None, some pumpkin seeds
Dairy: None. Goats' milk is slightly astringent and is less Kapha forming
Meat: No shellfish, fish, fats, red meat, pork, eggs
Oils: None. Ghee okay in small quantities as are mustard or linseed oils, which are drying
Sweetners: None. Sugar is ama forming. Honey is okay (2 tsp/day).
Drinks: Ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, fennel, dandelion root coffee.
If you try this cleansing technique it is helpful to assist the clearing of toxins via the bowel by using Triphala, which is a mild laxative.
It can be helpful to follow this regime at the junction of the seasons or if you are feeling rundown. It will help to get your digestive system up and running and you feeling light, energised and revitalised.
Sebastian Pole is an Ayurvedic and Chinese Practitioner. He runs Pukka Herbs specialising in Organic Ayurvedic herbs, teas, capsules and tinctures. Visit Pukka Herbs online for a wealth of information on Ayurveda.