Agni, Ama & Digestive Health Flashcards

In Ayurvedic pulse diagnosis, a 'sama' (Ama-associated) pulse is typically described as having which quality?

Answer: Slippery, slow, and heavy with a sticky quality

A sama pulse (indicating Ama) feels slippery, slow, and heavy—reflecting the sticky, dense, obstructing nature of Ama coating the vessels and channels.

Which Ayurvedic assessment method is most commonly used as a quick clinical indicator of Ama in the digestive tract?

Answer: Jihva Pariksha (tongue examination)

Jihva Pariksha (tongue examination) provides immediate, direct visual evidence of Ama; a thick white, yellow, or brown coating on the tongue indicates Ama in the digestive tract.

Langhana (lightening/reducing) therapy is the primary approach indicated for which type of clinical presentation?

Answer: Excess Ama with Kapha accumulation causing heaviness and obstruction

Langhana (including fasting, light diet, and pungent/bitter/astringent herbs) reduces excess Kapha and burns Ama by applying opposite qualities—lightness, dryness, and heat.

Pachana therapy differs from Shodhana (purification/elimination) therapy primarily in that Pachana:

Answer: Digests and neutralizes Ama internally without requiring eliminative procedures

Pachana uses digestive and carminative herbs (like Trikatu or Chitrak) to internally digest Ama and convert it to a form the body can eliminate naturally, without aggressive purification.

Which dietary recommendation would an Ayurvedic practitioner most likely prescribe for a client with significant Ama accumulation and poor appetite?

Answer: A mono-diet of easily digestible foods such as kitchari (mung dal and rice) or medicated fasting

Kitchari or therapeutic fasting reduces digestive burden, allows Agni to recover, and begins burning existing Ama without adding new indigestible material.

According to Ayurvedic principles, which daily lifestyle practice most directly supports strong and consistent Agni?

Answer: Consuming the largest meal at midday when Pitta and Agni are naturally strongest

Midday is governed by Pitta, which peaks between 10 AM and 2 PM; eating the main meal then aligns with the body's natural digestive peak, ensuring optimal Agni and minimal Ama.

The practice of 'Agni Sara' (also called Agni Sara Dhauti) in Ayurveda and yoga refers to:

Answer: A rhythmic abdominal pumping exercise that fans and strengthens the digestive fire

Agni Sara is an abdominal kriya (cleansing action) involving rapid, rhythmic contraction and expansion of the abdominal muscles that directly stimulates and strengthens Jatharagni.