L7 Ayurveda I - Agni and Ama Flashcards
What is Agni?
The power to digest, transform, absorb, assimilate
Agni encompasses not just the digestion of food but also of sense perceptions, thoughts, and experiences.
What role does Agni play in the body?
It is the energy behind all metabolic functions
This includes cellular metabolism, enzymes, hormones, and mental assimilation.
What are some benefits of Agni?
Strong immunity, sparkle in the eyes, lustre to the skin
Agni contributes to overall health and vitality.
What is the most important type of Agni?
Jatharagni
Jatharagni is referred to as the digestive fire.
True or False: Agni only relates to the digestion of food.
False
Agni also relates to the digestion of sense perceptions, thoughts, and experiences.
What effect do aggravated Vata, Pitta, and Kapha have on Agni?
Agni changes due to their influence, becoming more hot or cold
Imbalance in doshas can disrupt digestion.
In Ayurvedic therapeutics, what is often the treatment priority?
Regulating Agni
Proper digestion is essential for nourishment and healing.
Why is it important to digest and assimilate correctly?
To ensure proper nourishment and initiate healing processes
Poor digestion can hinder recovery and overall health.
What effect does excess Vata have on digestive fire?
Makes digestive fire ‘variable’ and inconsistent
Excess Vata can lead to fluctuating digestive capacity.
List some symptoms of excess Vata.
- Erratic appetite
- Bloating
- Gas
- Constipation
- Cramps
- ‘Butterflies’ in stomach
- ‘Nervous’ gut
- Food anxiety
- Food intolerances
These symptoms indicate a disturbance in the digestive system due to excess Vata.
How can one balance excess Vata in the digestive system?
By using warm spices in moist form
Examples include slices of fresh ginger, ginger tea, mildly spiced soups, and stews.
True or False: Excess Vata can lead to food intolerances.
True
Food intolerances can manifest as a result of digestive irregularities associated with excess Vata.
What happens when there is excess Pitta?
Digestive fire becomes too ‘hot’ and ‘acidic’
Excess Pitta can lead to various digestive issues and discomfort.
What are the symptoms of excess Pitta?
- Burning sensations
- Acid reflux
- Gastritis
- Ulcers
- Diarrhoea
- Irritability
- Migraines
- Difficulty gaining weight
These symptoms indicate an imbalance related to excess Pitta.
How does excess Pitta affect nutrient absorption?
All nutrients are burnt up, making it hard to gain weight
This reflects the inefficiency of nutrient utilization in the presence of excess Pitta.
Which types of herbs can balance excess Pitta?
- Cooling moistening herbs
- Aloe vera gel
- Marshmallow
- Flaxseeds
- Cool water
- Raw fruits and vegetables / juices / smoothies
These remedies help to mitigate the effects of excess Pitta.
Fill in the blank: Excess Pitta leads to ______ sensations.
Burning
This symptom is commonly associated with Pitta imbalance.
True or False: Diarrhoea is a symptom of excess Pitta.
True
Diarrhoea is one of the digestive issues linked to excess Pitta.
What does excess Kapha do to digestive fire?
Makes digestive fire slow and inefficient
List symptoms of excess Kapha.
- Low energy
- Slow food transit
- Constant but low level of hunger
- Slow metabolism
- Weight gain
- Poor circulation
- Mucus
- Colds
- Allergies
These symptoms reflect the imbalances caused by excess Kapha in the body.
How can excess Kapha be balanced?
With hot dry spices such as:
* Dry ginger
* Cinnamon
* Black pepper
* Cloves
These spices are believed to stimulate digestive fire (agni) and counteract Kapha’s qualities.
What qualities of Kapha suppress agni?
Cold, moist, dull qualities
Agni represents the digestive fire in Ayurveda, and its suppression can lead to various health issues.
True or False: Kapha is a hot, dry, intense fire.
False
Kapha is characterized by cold, moist, and dull qualities, in contrast to agni.
Which spice blend is advised for Pitta constitution?
Coriander, fennel, cumin
These spices help maintain healthy digestive fire for individuals with Pitta constitution.
What spices should be used for Vata constitution?
Cardamom, cumin, fennel
These spices are recommended to support digestive health in Vata individuals.
Which spices are suggested for Kapha constitution?
Dry ginger, fenugreek, cumin
These spices aid in maintaining digestive fire for those with Kapha constitution.
How much powdered herb blend should be taken before each meal?
½ tsp
The blend should be mixed with a little warm water.
Which spice is considered good for all constitutions?
Cumin
Cumin is beneficial regardless of individual constitution.
Is fresh ginger recommended for high Pitta individuals?
No
Fresh ginger is generally not advised for those with very high Pitta.
True or False: Cumin can be used by all constitutions.
True
Cumin is universally beneficial for digestive health.
What happens when Agni is weak or overloaded?
Meals are not completely broken down
Agni refers to the digestive fire in Ayurveda.
The body can only absorb and assimilate the ____ ____ of digestion, like glucose and amino acides
Final products
These are essential nutrients for the body.
What occurs if food is not correctly ‘reduced’ during digestion?
The food mass remains in the gut, where it ferments and putrefies
This can lead to various digestive issues.
What is the term for undigested food in Ayurvedic medicine?
Ama
Ama means ‘that which cannot be absorbed, assimilated, or eliminated’.
In Ayurveda, what is considered the root cause of disease?
Ama - undigested food toxins
These toxins arise from improper digestion and can lead to health problems.
What is Ama ?
Undigested food that cannot nourish us but is still packed with energy
Ama is considered to fuel disease processes in the body.
What effect does Ama have on tissues and organs?
Makes them prone to infection and degeneration
This is aligned with the terrain theory.
How does Ama influence Agni?
Suppresses Agni, reducing the body’s ability to digest, assimilate, and eliminate
This creates a negative cycle of digestion.
What is the result of ama’s impact on the doshas?
Creates a further downward spiral of disease
This indicates a worsening health condition.
What do Ama toxins do to the body?
Block the channels, congest tissues, and damage organs.
What is the relationship between Ama and diseases?
All diseases (except genetic disease and accidents) start with Ama.
What initiates the formation of Ama?
Low digestive fire.
True or False: Ama toxins can be compared to naturopathic ‘autotoxemia’.
True.
How do Ama toxins leave the gastrointestinal tract?
They enter the blood and circulate through the body.
What are the signs of Ama?
- Thick tongue coating.
- Poor digestion and GIT discomfort.
- Loss of taste and appetite.
- Joint and muscle pains.
- Constipation.
- Lymphatic congestion.
- Poor concentration.
- Fatigue.
- Foul-smelling excretions.
- ‘Toxic’ diseases.
