Āma

The Root of All Diseases

In Ayurveda, Āma, the undigested matter in the body and the byproduct of weak digestion (Agni), is considered the root cause of all diseases. In Sanskrit, The word Ama means ‘raw‘ or ‘undigested,’ and Āmaya, the term used for disease, is translated into ‘the product of Āma.’ This indicates the importance of maintaining a certain level of cellular cleanliness to keep the body and mind healthy and well.

Ama is sticky and slimy. It sticks to the tissues and coats the gut and intestinal walls. If Ama doesn’t get cleared out from the body, it continues to accumulate and starts circulating in the blood, causing further aggravation and imbalances in the system. Thus, it is essential to pass your bowels daily, maintain proper oral hygiene, scrape your tongue, clean your body, drink enough water, and consume wholesome food following the rules of proper eating. Fasting between meals, not snacking, not eating late at night, exercising regularly, and cleansing during Rtusandhi, or the transitional periods of Spring and Autumn, are all recommended practices for keeping the body healthy and clear of harmful Ama.

Āmavisha | endogenous toxins

Ama must be cleansed regularly. Unaddressed toxins will soon accumulate and negatively affect the tissues and bodily functions. This type of Āma is known as Āmavisha, a more reactive and aggressive form of toxic buildup.

Garavisha | exogenous toxins

Environmental toxins were also mentioned in the ancient scripts of Ayurveda. These include all toxins from outside the body, such as pesticides, additives, fertilizers, heavy metals, preservatives, bacteria, mold, chemicals, pollution, EMFs, and radiation. This type of Ama is known as Garavisha.

Physical forms of excess Ama in the body may appear in the form of sticky stools, bloating, blood clots, thick coating on the tongue, excess phlegm, dark under-eyes, acne, psoriasis, or other skin disorders. Non-physical forms of Ama include fatigue, low energy, brain fog, forgetfulness, dullness, laziness, and lack of motivation.