Get Rid of Toxins Today: Ama be Gone
What Ayurveda says about Getting Rid of Toxins (Ama)
Digestive health is more than just a buzzword—it’s central to our overall well-being. Think about it: when our digestion is off-kilter, doesn’t it feel like everything else goes haywire too? From foggy thoughts to sluggishness in our bodies, the impact is undeniable. But what’s the root cause? While it can be food quality, combinations and the way we eat, it can also be an accumulation of toxins in the body hindering our systems from working in a proper way. Thankfully, the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda has charted a clear path for us to get rid of toxins now and say “Ama be gone!” Shedding light on the causes, effects, and even offering handy kitchen remedies to combat that overwhelming feeling of toxic overload.
What is Ama: Toxins in the Body and Mind
When we consume food, it travels from our mouth through the food-carrying channel (annavahasrota) into the core of our GI tract. Here, the doshas play a pivotal role in converting food to nutrients. In essence, if a dosha is increased—be it due to the qualities of the food itself, the manner of consumption, or the performance of our digestive fire—it can lead to a disruption in food processing.
For example, if you’re prone to burning indigestion and indulge in sour or spicy foods, it amplifies the heat, intensity and sharpness within the GI tract. This can cause the digestive fire to process food too rapidly, leading to issues like burning indigestion, hyperacidity, and an overactive metabolism. As a result, the wonderful food you consume might be metabolized too swiftly to nourish properly. Conversely, if you naturally lean towards a slower metabolism and consume heavy, sticky, sweet, or hard-to-digest foods, they can linger in the GI tract. Instead of efficiently transforming into nutrients, they may turn into a toxic residue. Over time, this residue can circulate through the bloodstream, reaching other tissues. Think of it as clutter clogging our system, leaving us feeling foggy, weighed down, and in need of a cleanse.
If this information is new to you we recommend you jump over to our BLOG on What is Your Digestion Telling You.
What Causes Ama
Ultimately, ama (toxic buildup) is caused by one of two things: either subpar digestion or a loss of digestive capacity, often indicated when the agni (your digestive fire) is imbalanced. The Ayurvedic texts provide detailed insights into the factors that lead to such toxic buildups. Given that many of these factors are prevalent in today’s fast-paced world, it’s hardly surprising that symptoms of ama have become widespread. This underscored the urgency to address the ama and get rid of these toxins asap.
Dietary Causes
- Overeating (we should eat until we are 75% full)
- Eating at the wrong time (only eat when hungry)
- Leftover foods
- Extremely dry or cold food
- Incompatible food combinations
- Inappropriate types of fasting (we see this commonly with juice, water and supplements)
- Excessive water intake (only drink when thirsty)
- Eating if you already have indigestion
Behavioral or Lifestyle Related Causes
- Poor sleeping habits (like staying up to late, sleeping in or sleeping during the day or after meals)
- Excessive exertion
- Excessive sexual indulgence
- Holding natural urges (we have a whole blog post on these)
- Irregular bedtime
- Smoking
- Consumption of alcohol
Psychological Issues/ Causes
Have you ever eaten during stress and felt it unsettle your stomach? While some gravitate towards food during emotional upheavals, others instinctively avoid it. As a rule of thumb, if you’re feeling off, consider taking a walk or waiting until you’re more composed. If you must eat, opt for light, easily digestible options like a small serving of soup.
- Worry
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Nervousness
- Grief
- Sadness
- Anger
- Frustration
- General stress
Other Causes
- Improper management of Pancha Karma
- Incapability of season
Symptoms of Ama
- Loss of strength or stiffness in the joints
- Heaviness in the body or mind
- Edema
- Indigestion
- Sticky mouth or tongue coat
- Constipation, loose stools or sticky stools
- Smelly sweat
- Lack of taste
- Feeling tired upon rising or throughout the day
- Lack of hunger
- Smelly burps or gas
If you recognize any of these symptoms, it may be time to address the accumulated ama. But fear not, friends! We’ve got just the solution for you.
Ama be Gone: Methods to get rid of Toxins
While it’s advisable to consult a health practitioner before making significant dietary changes or embarking on a cleanse, introducing digestive spices like our Agni Spice mix is a great starting point to combat ama right in the comfort of your home. Check out our comprehensive video guide on how to whip up this mix yourself.
The benefits of digestive spices help kickstart the fire in the GI tract helping you process food. And by ‘spices’ we don’t mean spicy or pungent ones like cayenne, chilis or black pepper. Instead, we mean milder spices that are gentler on the system while supporting the breakdown of food into nutrients. You have to try them for yourself to understand!
We always keep a jar of these spices handy in our kitchen—perfect for a quick nibble before or after meals, seasoning dishes, or as a go-to when we’re traveling.
Looking for support?
Need a more personalized touch? Book an Ayurvedic Digestive Health Consultation with us. We’ll partner with you to personalize your grocery list, align with your objectives, and factor in your unique constitution and even your locale’s climate. No more culinary confusion; say goodbye to overwhelm. Let’s embark on this flavor-packed voyage together to get rid of ama and bring back the joy of eating! Trust us, Ayurvedic meal planning was a game-changer for us, and we believe it’ll revolutionize your eating habits too!
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