Sama and Nirama Vata: Association of Ama With Morbid Vata

Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay)
When Vata Dosha is associated with ama it is called Sama Vata. The pathological character and presentation of symptoms vary with those of aggravation of ‘only vayu’ when vayu is associated with ama. This association of Vata takes place with vitiated Vata. To treat this Vata, the ama should be tackled at first. 

The association of ama with Vayu should be broken by the administration of deepana (fire kindling medicines or medicines which enhance the appetite and enhance the digestion capacity, correct metabolic process in presence of sluggish digestion) and Pachana or Ama Pachana dravyas (medicines which digest and expel ama).

When ama loses its association with Vata, it will be called Nirama Vata. Though the pathological element in the form of ama has been separated from Vata, the free vata is still pathological, since it is also in vitiated form. This Vata should be handled by the administration of vatanulomana (vata alleviating or expelling treatments and medicines) treatments.

Ama – Ama is a product of agnimandhya (sluggish digestion or low fire in gut) and consequent ajeerna (indigestion). When the digestive fire is weak, it leads to sluggish digestion, this leads to indigestion. Here, the food is improperly or inadequately processed in the stomach. The essence of this improperly digested food is called ama. This ama is sent into circulation. It reaches all the cells of the body.

By the virtue of its sticky nature, ama tends to block or clog the channels of the body and deplete the body of its nutrients and vital components needed to build selves. This will lead to series of tissue and organ damage in due course of time and lead to many diseases.

Sama Vata

Sama Vata – A deadly combination of ama and vata
Vata, when vitiated tends to seriously damage the body, most times in an irrecoverable way. Ama is a toxin and bi-product of sluggish metabolism and it too can independently damage the body components and impair functions in a serious way. One can guess what could happen when these two lethal components combine and jointly damage the system!!

Sanskrit verse

Symptoms of Sama Vata

Symptoms of Sama vayu:
Vibandha – constipation
Agni sadana – sluggish metabolism, indigestion
Tandra – sleepiness, drowsiness,
Staimitya – feeling as if covered by wet cloth
Gourava – heaviness of the body
Antra kujana – sounds in the tummy
Vedana – pains all over the body
Shopha – swelling
Nistoda – pricking pain
Kramasho angani peedayan – the body parts will be gradually afflicted by pain, swelling etc symptoms mentioned above
Snigdhata – unctuousness of the body
Arochaka – anorexia
Alasya – lethargy, weakness, laziness
Shaitya – feeling of cold
Agni hani – loss of digestive power

Vicharet yugapat cha api – when the ama and vata association becomes strong, they get more vitiated and travel all over the body and produce painful conditions wherever they happen to settle, damaging the tissues and organs in the process

Snehadhyaihi vriddhim apnoti – gets aggravated on use of sneha (oil or ghee) for external (massage etc) or internal (oral consumption) use
Surya meghodaye nishi vriddhim apnoti – gets aggravated early in morning (sun-rise), cloudy climate and night
Katu ruksha abhilasha – affinity towards consuming pungent and dry foods

Symptoms of Nirama Vata

Symptoms of Nirama Vayu:
Vishada – clear, brings about clarity and dryness of mouth, skin etc
Ruksha – dry, brings about dryness of mouth skin etc
Nirvibandha – absence of constipation or blocks in the body
Alpa vedana – less, negligible or feeble pain
Vipareeta gunaihi shantim – gets pacified by antagonistic qualities like snigdha (oiliness, unctuousness), ushna (hot) etc
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