Three myths: Ageing, joint pain and being set in our ways.
They are signs of accumulated toxins in the body.
Mala refers to waste products that are created during digestion and metabolic processes. However ‘clean’ the diet is, every body will and should produce waste, which can be excess food, water or nutrients, or at times partially (and sometimes wholly) undigested food. A well functioning digestive system can easily discern and separate nutrients from waste, and then eliminate those waste products in a regular and smooth fashion.
We are equipped to clear waste products through urination, bowel movements, sweating, clearing the sinuses, removing excess ear wax and gargling the mouth. These are all places where mala can accumulate, and where we first notice symptoms showing up. If waste is not removed in a timely manner, it builds up and takes on a more solid form as ama, or toxins.
Ama is considered the root cause of disease, and is typically sticky, slimy, stagnant, cold, foul smelling and heavy. These qualities make ama more difficult to clear than mala, because its properties become increasingly complex as they accumulate. Toxins can often be seen as a coating on the tongue, which varies in colour from white, yellow, green, brown or grey, depending on the constitution of the person and its cause. Sometimes the tongue will swell from the accumulation of toxins, which can be seen when there are indents along the side of the tongue where the tongue has pressed up against the teeth.
The same sticky substance that coats the tongue and facial orifices also precipitates in the other parts of the body, particularly the joint spaces. Depending on the constitution of the individual, this can present as swelling, edema, itchiness, dryness, weakness and sensitive skin around the joints. Over time, the accumulated toxins harden and make the joints stiff and inflamed. While these symptoms have been attributed to ageing, it is not inevitable and can be avoided or slowed with a conscious diet and lifestyle. In the same way, accumulated ama in tissues and organs will cause high cholesterol, elevated sugar, candida, bacterial infections, atherosclerosis, kidney stones, gallstones and gout.
In spring, ama is expressed as seasonal allergies, because the damp and heavy qualities of spring and the sticky pollen can aggravate any underlying congestion. Other signs of ama are foul-smelling sweat, body odour, mucus, urine and bowel movements. The body feels sticky because of this substance, especially on the scalp, around the lymph, in skin folds and between the fingers and toes.
Remember, we are holistic.
When waste is not regularly eliminated, it creates congestion in the mind. Brain fog, dullness, a lack of clarity and focus, procrastination, self doubt and feeling cluttered or disconnected are all indicators of the presence of ama. Toxins travel through the body and clog the physical and subtle channels, which limits the deep connection to instinct, intuition and inner wisdom. This is why we feel dull and heavy when we have a cold; it is a mental reflection of the physical congestion that coats our perception of life. Ama also dulls the senses, which can cause cravings for stimulants such as caffeine, soft drinks, sugar and salt, although these will only add to the congestion. With age, many people become rigidly set in their ways; but this is another indication of excess stiffness in the mind from accumulated toxins.
There are many ways to support the body to detoxify in a natural and gentle way. Try this simple morning routine to eliminate mala each day:
Before brushing your teeth, use a metal tongue scraper to gently clean the tongue. Scrape the tongue from back to front 5-10 times, and notice the colour and quality of the residue that appears on your tongue scraper. Make it a point to have a look at your tongue each day, ideally 3-4 hours after meals, and notice any coating or swelling which may indicate ama. Don’t forget to keep your tongue scraper clean!
Ayurveda provides a direct remedy for clearing waste and toxins in a sustainable and balanced way: strengthen the digestive fire. Nature has provided us with an internal combustion system that is designed to eliminate anything unnecessary - we only need to keep it strong and ready to go. An Ayurvedic cleanse is different to other modalities because it is not harsh, so the digestive tract is cleared without creating dryness, sensitivity or irritation. The holistic nature of the mind and body is supported with rituals for relaxation and rejuvenation, and can be tailored for specific health concerns. Pain and discomfort are the language of a body asking to be healed.
