AMA in stools

January 4, 2006

Maybe somebody can clarify this doubt that's been

lingering in my mind for long. According to Ayurvedic

texts (at least that is taught here in USA), one of

the signs of Ama accumulation in the body is "Sinking

stools".

Sinking stools surprises me, it's fine in the USA

and I guess in India for those who have western

toilets. However, in the good old days when the Texts

were written, there was no "Western commode" to

observe sinking stools.

So the question is (1) who introduced this concept (2) Does it hold

true? (3) Do indian ayurvedic practitioners take this

into consideration?

Feedback will be appreciated.

Regards,

K.Ayasolla

January 5, 2006

On 5-Jan-06, at 7:25 AM, ayurveda wrote:

> Message: 11

> Wed, 4 Jan 2006 17:00:07 -0800 (PST)

> Keshav Aysola <ayur_shakti

> AMA in stools

>

> Maybe somebody can clarify this doubt that's been

> lingering in my mind for long. According to Ayurvedic

> texts (at least that is taught here in USA), one of

> the signs of Ama accumulation in the body is "Sinking

> stools".

>

> Sinking stools surprises me, it's fine in the USA

> and I guess in India for those who have western

> toilets. However, in the good old days when the Texts

> were written, there was no "Western commode" to

> observe sinking stools.

>

> So the question is (1) who introduced this concept (2) Does it hold

> true? (3) Do indian ayurvedic practitioners take this

> into consideration?

dear K. Ayasolla

this is a minor consideration at best and in my opinion too

speculative to be of much use

unless the stools contain a fair amount of fat and thus float (called

steatorrhea, and indicative of poor fat digestion related to

conditions like IBD or hepatobiliary disorders), most stools will

sink (or if containing much fiber will break apart in the water)

however, if the stool is excessively dehydrated, which usually means

it is smaller and more compact, it will obviously sink more quickly

than a stool that contains more water - this means it will have spent

more time in the colon, and is either related to a dehydration-type

(vata) constipation or from eating certain foods which are heavy and

sticky, like pizza

that such heavy and sticky foods like pizza are usually associated

with enhancing ama and tend to promote more compact BMs is probably

how the indication began

in my upcoming book (Ayurveda: the Divine Science of Life), which is

scheduled for release this August, I detail 5 components to feces

diagnosis:

Shape and consistency

Color

Odour

Volume and frequency

Symptoms

(all as per vata, pitta and/or kapha)

none of these involve measuring the sinking of the stool

of course, these days, the vast majority of practitioners (and

certainly those in out-patient clinics) are going to teach the basics

of fecal diagnosis to their patients so they can report back

best.... todd caldecott

January 6, 2006

Thanks for clearing my doubt. Please do post on this newsgroup the published

date of your book.

Thanks,

KA

Caldecott <todd wrote: On 5-Jan-06, at 7:25 AM,

ayurveda wrote:

dear K. Ayasolla

this is a minor consideration at best and in my opinion too

speculative to be of much use

unless the stools contain a fair amount of fat and thus float (called

steatorrhea, and indicative of poor fat digestion related to

conditions like IBD or hepatobiliary disorders), most stools will

sink (or if containing much fiber will break apart in the water)

January 8, 2006

When in doubt, when no samhita or Guru nearby, think and produce the

answer by experience. Few centuries back Vaidyas used to ask patients

to test the stools this way. Astang Hridaya mentions urine tests too,

which tell how fast disease will cure or not cure at all.

carbohydrates, being easy to digest, produce light stools, while high

protein foods become difficult to digest, e.g. all non vegetarian

items. Fruits, due to enzyme content, have a most rapid transit

through digestive canal.

When faced with same questions, I made notes of various foods and the

stool test. YOu can also repeat for self experience, which defeats

all theories.

Whenever there is inadequate digestion and therefore AMA

Stools will be sticky, broken, sinking, foul smelling, darker in

colour, or lighter in color (if paucity of bile). Ideally (like

turmeric) yellowish color due to adequate bile suggests good

digestion. E.g. when we consume marriage lunches of oily spicy

curries, pulaos, puri, sweets, non-veg items, soft floor items, etc

Good digested stools will be non-sticking, long farmed, turmeric

yellow color, no foul smell and if excess bile, a typical bile smell

(slightly sour) and they will float at least for 15-20 minutes. No

water will be needed as they will be non-sticky and moist, and free

flowing in toilet. You too will need less water or paper for

cleaning. When digestion is rapid and fast, some bacteria start

decomposing the residue to produce gas, which leaves the body with

sound, blowing a whistle that time to visit toilet. This is healthy

situation.

In Indian villages, those who collect cow dung know that the well

digested dung never sticks to hand, fibre content can be seen with

naked eye. This type of stools everyone can produce if he/she eats

apple/pineapple or other fruits for just 24 hours. No oil/fat to be

eaten.

On a different note, Some mention that stools smell like sandalwood

if Kundalini awakens. So it is not a subject of minor importance.

Anubhavanand

ayurveda, Keshav Aysola

<ayur_shakti> wrote:

>