Ama, the accumulation of toxins, undigested food or waste-materials,
complicates the treatment of the three Doshas. In general, Ama possesses the same characteristics as Kapha; it is heavy, dense, cold and slimy, consisting largely of mucoid accretions. Yet it can be aligned wim any of the Doshas. Doshas aligned with Ama are called Sama (sa means with and combined with ama becomes Samo in Sanskrit). Vata can accumulate as gas in the large intestine and spread to the small intestine, blocking the power of digestion, Agni, and give rise to Ama. Kapha can accumulate in the stomach as mucus, spread into the small intestine, block Agni and also create Ama. Pitta can accumulate as bile in the small intestine, which though hot, can block Agni by its liquidity or oiliness, which similarly gives rise to Ama. Such conditions are called respectively Sama Vata, Sama Kapha and Sama Pitta. Ama and Agni are opposite in properties. Ama is cold, wet, heavy, cloudy, malodorous and impure. Agni is hot, dry, light, clear, fragrant (aromatic) and pure. To treat Ama, it is necessary to increase Agni. Psychologically, Ama arises from the holding of negative emotions. Negative emotions quench the mental Agni or clarity of mind. As a result, the physical Agni is also reduced. Undigested experiences become toxic like undigested food. Symptoms of Ama include loss of taste and appetite, indigestion, tongue-coating, bad breath, loss of strength, heaviness, lethargy, and obstructions of channels and vessels. Other symptoms are accumulation of waste-materials, bad odor of body urine or feces, deep, heavy or dull pulse, lack of attention, loss of clarity depression, irritability and obstruction of other Doshas. Ama is the root of most colds, fevers and flus, as well as the chronic diseases of a weak auto-immune systemthese range from allergies and hay fever to asthma, arthritis and cancer. Wherever there is such evidence of Ama, treatment must first aim at its elimination. It is not possible to treat two Doshas simply and directly when they are mixed with Ama. For example, tonification and rejuvenation therapies are only possible once the body is cleared of Ama. Ama is decreased by herbs that are bitter or pungent in taste. Bitter taste, composed of air and ether, helps separate Ama, whose quality is heavy, from the tissues and organs wherein it is lodged. It catalyzes and thereby relieves the fever due to this invasion of Ama into the tissues. It stimulates the catabolic processes of the body wherein foreign material is broken down. Like dry ice, it can help destroy Ama. Pungent taste, composed of fire and air, burns up and eradicates Ama. It has the same properties as Agni, and through strengthening Agni, it digests Ama. Usually bitter taste is used first to halt the development of Ama. Then pungent taste is used to revive the metabolism to consume the Ama and prevent it from redeveloping. Bitter taste by itself may not be sufficient to completely destroy Ama or adequately restore Agni. Ama is increased by substances that are sweet, salty or sour in taste. Sweet taste, like Ama, is cold heavy and wet. Salty taste is also heavy and wet. Salty and sour tastes by their hot and damp properties can aggravate the fever and toxic heat of the blood that usually accompanies Ama. Astringent taste is mixed in its action on Ama. Its constricting effect upon the tissues and discharges may serve to hold Ama in the body. Yet it can be used to help in the healing of membranes damaged by infections due to Ama. So it must be used as a supplement to bitter or pungent therapies. As the main attribute of Ama is heaviness, it is treated primarily by herbs and that of a light nature. Often a fast is a good idea until the tongue clears or the appetite returns. Ama as a primary factor in disease is behind the value and extensive usage of fasting, mucus-free thats and detoxifying therapies for many different diseases. Such therapies may have benefit even when the exact constitution of the individual is not determined. Because the properties of the Dosha are mixed with those of Ama, herbs which may relieve a Dosha may not be effective in a Sama condition. Conversely herbs which normally aggravate a Dosha may relieve it in a Sama condition. We must discriminate not only the Dosha but whether it is with or without Ama (Sama or Nirama, nir means without). Vata, which is normally light and dry becomes heavy and damp when mixed with Ama. Pitta, which is hot and damp, becomes cooler and more wet. Kapha becomes heavier, and while normally slow in motion, may become stuck or immobile by Ama. The turbidity, stickiness and density of Ama alters the attributes of the Doshas. VATA, SAMA: Indications: constipation, foul breath and feces, tongue coating, abdominal pain and distention (aggravated by palpation, massage or oil), intestinal gas and cramping pain, low appetite, heaviness, weakness, slow pulse, aggravated by cloudy weather. Treatment: mainly pungent tasting herbs, stimulants and carminatives, along with some laxatives or purgatives to clear toxins. VATA, NIRAMA: Indications: no constipation, no foul smell, pain mild (relieved by touch), tongue clear, mouth dry with astringent taste, body light, dry, with more emaciation, more tissue depletion, less fatigue. Treatment: tonification and rejuvenation with mainly sweet and pungent herbs to rebuild the body.