Who could resist a plethora of yummy and tasty dishes that satisfy the soul to the fullest. But think again, are they healthy? We’re n’t what we eat but what we digest, according to Ayurveda.

Everything in this universe, including the food we consume, is made of five elements -- ether/space, air, fire, water, earth. While we eat, these elements break down into tiny molecules due to digestive processes and assimilation takes place, getting the nutrients from food to cells, where they are used for growth and repair. But what doesn’t assimilate becomes waste and accumulates inside. They eventually turn into toxins and build up inside our body, clogging arteries, pores and winds. In Ayurvedic terms, it has become ama, a sticky substance that eventually poisons our body, and creates real problems.

A quick way to get rid of this unwanted, unneeded gunk is to skip a meal, for instance the breakfast the next morning after having a heavy dinner.  Also drink warm to hot water (with a squeeze of lemon) throughout the day. Don’t overdo it – you shouldn’t fast more than a day. It will help your body digest what still needs to be digested, and the hot water will help melt and process some of that ama, making it pass through the excretory system with other waste products.

At times, ama accumulation can have a bigger tell than it initially seems. It can impact your thoughts and emotions too. Be sure to regularly practice meditation and pranayama – proper breathing techniques -- to keep your mental and emotional self both balanced and peaceful.

And take a look at your tongue, especially in the morning. If you see a white coating, it's a clear sign you’ve got some further digesting to do and some possible ama. This is pretty common if your tummy had a big portion of food left undigested or you didn’t give yourself enough time to digest the dinner you had before going to bed the previous night. Your tongue is giving an indication that your digestive system still needs to process the last meal.

Wait until your tongue clears of this whiteness and let your tummy rumble again before you have your next meal. And make it a meal full of prana (life force), foods produced directly from the earth such as vegetables, rice, grains, or fruit. Eat slowly, savouring every bite and chew your food well before swallowing. Our teeth and saliva form the very first stage of digestion, meant to start the breakdown process of food, though many of us often hungrily and busily gulp down the food. We should feel satisfied and healthy after a meal, not full and groggy because of it.

Keep these things in mind the next time you go for lunch or dinner. Take a moment to sit still while you eat, with no television or chatter, allowing all the prana from the food, as well as your environment and state of mind to fulfill you. Digest the food nourishment and keep ama at bay.

Ama and related illnesses

Undigested food toxin is known as ‘ama’ in Ayurveda. Its presence results in many diseases. Upon feeling uncomfortable, one should follow a special ama-reducing diet appropriate for his/her body constitution (prakriti) and health, may be with the help of a physician. The following chart will help give you indication about the presence of ama in the body.

Heartburn

Eating spicy, sour, salty or fermented foods drinking alcohol, smoking and various medications are the main causes of heartburn.

Remedies

Avoid the above mentioned and include more whole grains, vegetables and mild spices such as cumin, coriander, mint, basil, and cardamom in your diet. Pomegranate juice can help pacify the condition. It’s better to avoid orange juice, which may aggravate the problem. Moderately increase water intake. Mix ginger powder, black pepper and cardamom powder one tablespoon each in one tablespoon honey. Take ¼ tablespoon of this mix with ¼ cup of milk.

Athlete’s foot (TineaPedis)

The main symptoms are scaling, flaking and itching of affected areas. The problem can spread to other areas of the body including the groin. It’s mainly caused by fungus.

Remedies

Keep your area clean and hygiene. Soak feet in salt water for several minutes and wipe clean. Apply turmeric powder or a paste of turmeric mixed with a few drops of oil or ghee. Cover the area with gauze. Wear cotton socks. Avoid spicy food, junk food and soda.

Bad breath

Lack of proper brushing, foods with garlic, or strong spices and use of alcohol are some of the causes of bad breath. Stomach problems may also be one of the reasons.

Remedies

Always brush your teeth after eating. Rinse your mouth at least five times to remove the small food particles harbouring strong odours. Squeeze lemon into a glass of warm water and use it to gargle and rinse the mouth. Chew a small piece of lemon peel, which is strong enough to remove the bacteria. Chew a few fennel, cardamom, or clove seeds. Scrape your tongue regularly. This is the most important habit for any oral hygiene routine.

Gum diseases

Rinse your mouth with equal parts of sesame oil and water a few times daily. Eat a handful of sesame seeds for strengthening the gums.

Constipation

Constipation is a common lifestyle-related issue. The symptoms are -- no bowel movement at least once a day, gas formation, drowsiness, pain in the abdomen, heaviness in stomach, mucus coated tongue, headache, loss of appetite, nausea, vertigo and palpitation.

Do you know the reasons behind this problem? Well, according to Ayurveda, the aggravation of vata, the controller of all movements in our body, causes constipation.

Improper eating habits including eating food which is difficult to digest (such as meat) and not having enough fibrous foods like vegetables and salads lead to constipation. Eat according to your digestive capacity. Think twice next time you order your favourite dish.

Suppressing the urge to defecate also leads to constipation in the long run. Similarly, exerting oneself to defecate when there is no urge is also harmful. Absence of exercise leads to inaction of rib muscles and can lead to constipation. Irregular sleeping habits or emotional disturbances (stress, grief, fear or worry) are the other causes for obstruction of stool passage, toxin accumulation in colon and excessive stimulation of the nervous system. Smoking, consuming too much tea and coffee, intake of prescription or some drugs can also cause constipation.

Remedy

Take five to six dry grapes, preferably black. Soak them in a glass of water and keep it overnight. Next day, after performing brushing etc, eat the swollen grapes and also drink the grape-soaked water. Do this for a week and constipation will be a thing of the past.

Easily digestible food should be taken. Also, take plenty of fruits, vegetables and salads. Whole grain bread and cereals will certainly help in lightening the digestive pressure. Regular physical exercise is important for maintaining proper bowel movement.

(The author Diana Bayless is an Ayurvedic Wellness Counsellor based in Los Angeles, US)