ANTI-AMA AYURVEDIC WISDOM

Om Sai Ram

Swami speaks highly of Ayurvedic knowledge:
“In life, health is the greatest wealth. Since ancient times, yogis, sages, and seers made penetrating investigations into the means to keep good health. They were of the view that man could work for the peace and security of the world only when he is in good health.”
“In modern times, many people are inclined to place complete faith in allopathic medicine. Others feel that Ayurvedic principles are essential. Allopathy only gives temporary relief; it does not permanently cure diseases. But Ayurveda can provide such permanent cures.”
~ Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, January 19th 2001 
On the inaguration day of the Super Speciality Hospital, Puttaparthi, India
Source: http://www.saiherbals.com/ayurveda/ayurveda.html

Ama is the sticky indigestible slime that coats the G.I. Tract and causes everything to clog, affecting the bloodstream and organs in the body. According to Ayurveda the accumulation of Ama contributes to diseased conditions. When Ama is cleared the fire or Agni in the digestive system burns bright and
digests the food and brings radiance and balance to the body, mind and spirit.

“Ama originates from improperly digested toxic particles that clog the channels in our body. These channels include the intestines, lymphatic system, arteries and veins, capillaries, and genitourinary tract. Others channels are called Nadis through which your energy flows. Ama toxicity accumulates wherever there is weak metabolism in the body, and this leads to diseases.”


Causes of ‘Ama’ production :

  • Agnimandya – Low digestive  fire

  • Dhatu-agnimandya – Low tissue fire

  • Mala Sanchaya – Accumulation of waste products.

  • Dosha sammurcchana  – Interaction or amalgamation between vitiated doshas

  • Krimi visha  – Bacterial toxins. When an infection is caused by the pathogenic organisms, they liberate a toxic substance.

Properties of ama :

  • It is always in the form of incompletely digested substance

  • Hence it is  non-homogenous, has a very bad or foul odour which can be experienced only when it is combined with excretory products such as sweat, urine, and faeces, or when products such as sputum, vomit, etc., are expelled from the body.

  • It is very sticky.

  • It produces lethargy in the body.


Signs of Ama :

  •  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.

  • 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, blood urea, gout, excess platelet count, gall stones as a sign of excess bile, kidney stones as a sign of un-metabolized calcium and oxalates, high liver enzymes (ALT, AST ) tumors.

Treatment of Ama :

Herbs:

Anti-vata: Medicines- Hinguvachadi Choornam, Gandharvahastadi ks;

Herbs - ,ginger, garlic.

Anti-pitta: Medicines –  Amruthotharam kashayam, Kumaryasvam , Neem.

Herbs - Aloe Vera, Fennel, Coriander, Amalaki(Indian Goosberry) formula that contains cooling herbs to clear heat toxins from the system.

Anti-kapha: Medicines – Taleespatradi Choornam, Vaishvanara Choornam, Trikatu

Herbs - Ginger, Cumin, Black pepper, Pushkaramoola, Punarnava, Tulsi, Vacha, Guggul

Panchakarma: Ayurvedic detox therapies( Abhyangam (oil bath), swedana(sudation), virechana(induced purgation), vamana (induced emices), etc.

Anti-ama Diet: Emphasise pungent, bitter, astringent flavour.

Treatment of Ama:
Herbs:
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.
**Anti-pitta: Kalmegh, Aloe Vera, Fennel, Coriander, Guduchi, Neem. Also try Amalaki formula that contains cooling herbs to clear heat toxins from the system.
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, Panchakarma.
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

  • Sweeteners: None. Sugar is ama forming. Honey is okay (2 tsp/day). ( I would add stevia as a sweetener choice)

  • Drinks: Ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, fennel, dandelion root coffee.

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