Last updated: December 21, 2023
What Does
Aama Mean?
Aama is a Sanskrit term that has multiple meanings related to something that is incomplete. Specifically, it can mean “raw,” “undigested,” “unannealed” and “unripe.” It is also the root word of aamaya, which refers to disease, or more specifically, “born out of aama.”
In the traditional Indian medical practice of ayurveda, some disease is believed to be the result of undigested food or other unmetabolized waste. Also according to ayurveda, aama blocks the body's channels and organs, preventing the body from absorbing essential nutrients.
Yogapedia Explains Aama
A healthy lifestyle, balanced diet, meditation and proper exercise can help prevent aama. Once aama has built up in the body, ayurveda practitioners may recommend physical exercise, such as yoga asana practice, to clear aama. Cleansing teas, detox diets and fasting are also recommended. All of these practices are designed to build up agni, the internal “fire” that promotes metabolism and digestion.
Some symptoms of aama include:
- Sinus congestion
- Constipation, diarrhea, bloating or gas
- Fatigue
- Indigestion
- Poor appetite
- Mental confusion
- Skin blemishes
- Fever
- Weight gain
- Stiffness, soreness or other aches and pains
- Lack of energy
- Anxiety, depression or worry
- Foggy mind
During These Times of Stress and Uncertainty Your Doshas May Be Unbalanced.
To help you bring attention to your doshas and to identify what your predominant dosha is, we created the following quiz.
Try not to stress over every question, but simply answer based off your intuition. After all, you know yourself better than anyone else.