Digestion; Ayurveda and Digestion

Question 1

Ayurveda and Digestion

Answer 1

In Ayerveda ‘ Agni’ is called the ‘Digestive Fire; The power to digest, transform and absorb nutrients from food.

• Agni is at its highest in the morning, which supports the importance of eating a nutritious first meal of the day. The Constitution of the person determines the amount of digestive fire and provides a guide for food intake
• When Agni is weak due to an energetic imbalance (excess heat or cold), or bad eating habits, foods remain undigested. Undigested foods are unfit to nourish the system and are referred to as toxins (or ‘Ama’). When Agni is balanced, Ama cannot form
  Ayer = life, veda = science / knowledge

Question 2

Ayurveda; How to reduce Ama

Answer 2

Ama reduction ultimately increases Agni. Strong Agni stops further Ama formation and also ‘burns off’ the toxins. Ama can be reduced by:
* Spices/powdered herbs (such as coriander, fennel, cumin, cardamon and fenugreek) increase the digestive fire
* Fresh ginger root tea
* Three hours between last meal and bed
* Eating slowly and chewing well
* 4 - 6 hours between meals
* Not eating if not hungry
* Adequate exercise
* Avoiding cold water and ice: drink water at room temperature or above
* Not reading, working, etc with meals, or eating when stressed
Chinese saying regarding Ama: “that which can neither be assimulated (uptake of nutrients) or eliminated (getting rid of waste)
Therefore, if not too hot/cold – balanced, Ama cannot form