Article: A REVIEW ON AMA AND AGNI: APPLICABILITY IN CLINICAL PRACTICE

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.16277

Pages: 229-233

Author: Indraja *, Abdul Khader

Abstract: Ayurveda has fundamental concepts like Dosha, Dushya, Mala, and Agni. Ama is a key concept in Ayurveda that plays a significant role in the development of various diseases. Ama is unripe, undigested food, which is caused by Agnimandhya. Ama can produce at various levels, like at the level of Jatharagni, Bhutagni, and Dhatwagni. Ama production can result in a variety of diseases at respective levels, like Grahani and Amavata. Thus, Ama denotes the transition from physiological to pathological conditions, as it is the precursor of many inflammatory, infective, and degenerative changes that ultimately cause the full-fledged diseases. Keeping this approach, the review is carried out to understand Ama from Ayurvedic and modern perspectives. In this review article it can be concluded that Ama has no direct correlation in modern science but can best be equated to toxins, metabolic by-products, and hormonal dysfunctions. Different treatment principles are advised for Amavastha; the main line of treatment is Apatarpana, which includes Langhana, Langhana Pachana, and Doshavasechana.

Keyword: Ama, Agni, Jatharagni, Bhutagni, Dhatwagni, Metabolic by-products, Hormonal dysfunctions, Apatrapana.