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Ama is an extremely important and exclusive concept in Ayurveda discussed under physiology and pathology sections. The term literally means 'uniped' or 'uncooked'  

Ama (आमः) is an extremely important and exclusive concept in Ayurveda discussed under physiology and pathology sections. The term literally means 'unripen' or 'uncooked'. The food that passes through the process of digestion but doesn't get transformed into the [[Rasa Dhatu (रस धातु)|rasa dhatu (रस धातुः)]] properly and remains in the body in such undigested form which can not be utilized by body tissues is called as Ama. It is considered as an important factor in development of variety of diseases related to any and every system of the body. Thus the concept is discussed in depth in Ayurveda. 

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

Aama translates to undigested or unripe or raw. This again is one of the fundamental and unique concepts in Ayurveda. “''Amaya”'' is the Sanskrit synonymous term for ''roga'' or disease (SKD-1/180), meaning which originates from ama is a disease.  Deranged agni or the digestive fire is one among the prime cause of aama formation in the body along with unhealthy food habits. This concept being significant to vaidyas can also prove effective as a preventive measure to avoid several diseases. Amavata the most common disorder in ayurvedic pathology has the involvement of aama as a causative factor

Ama translates to undigested or unripe or raw. This again is one of the fundamental and unique concepts in Ayurveda. “Amaya''”'' (आमयः) is the Sanskrit synonymous term for [[roga (रोगः)]] or disease, meaning which originates from ama is a disease.  Deranged [[Agni in Ayurveda (आयुर्वेदे अग्निः)|agni (अग्निः)]] or the digestive fire is one among the prime causes of ama formation in the body along with unhealthy food habits. This concept being significant to vaidyas to understand and treat a disease. Amavata the most commonly found joint disorder described in ayurvedic pathology has the involvement of ama as a causative factor.

== Etymolgy ==

== Etymolgy ==

(SKD-1/180)

The term Ama has been decoded in the following way. <blockquote>आम्यते ईषत्पच्यते | (Shabd. 1/180)<ref>Shabdakalpadruma 1.180</ref></blockquote>Meaning: That which is slightly digested or digested to some extent is known as Ama''.''

That which is apakva (अपक्वम् not digested), asidhi (असिद्ध incomplete) is ama.

 

 

That which is apakva(not digested),asidhi(incomplete), asruta() is ama.

== Definition ==

== Definition ==

ऊष्मणोऽल्पबलत्वेन धातुमद्यमपाचितम्|दुष्टमामाशयगतं रसमामं प्रचक्षते|

Ayurveda acharyas have defined and explained the term Ama as follows.<blockquote>ऊष्मणोऽल्पबलत्वेन धातुमद्यमपाचितम्| दुष्टमामाशयगतं रसमामं प्रचक्षते| (Asht. Hrud. 13.5)<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 13 Sutra 25)</ref></blockquote>Meaning: Ama is that form of rasa dhatu which remains undigested (unmetabolized) due the poor strength of the digestive fire or agni. 

 

(asht.hrid sut.13.25)

When the ''ushma'' or the ''agni'' or the digestive fire reduces, the ''dhatus'' in the body cannot form appropriately and moves towards ''amashaya'', there they get contaminated by doshas, further after the digestion what remains is termed as aama.

When the ''ushma'' or the ''agni'' or the digestive fire reduces, the ''dhatus'' in the body cannot form appropriately and moves towards ''amashaya'', there they get contaminated by doshas, further after the digestion what remains is termed as aama.