Aam

          Aam is a peculiar concept in Ayurveda (for which modern chemistry has no correlate). It is an important factor in a cause of disease and in modification of disease process.
           Aam literally means undigested or unripe. It is the toxic by product of impaired digestion. Due to the weak digestive power chyle- Ras Dhatu (A milky liquid formed in the small intestine as a result of digestion of ingested fats and joins lymphatic vessels) is not properly formed and chyme- Annarasa ( A semi liquid substance formed in the stomach and small intestine during digestion of the digested food) undergoes fermentation yielding Aam- A toxic substance.

Properties of AAM

It is always in the form of incompletely digested substance.

Hence it is non-homogenous, has a very bad or foul odor which can be experienced only when it is combined with excretory products such as sweat, urine, and feces, or when products such as sputum, vomit, etc., are expelled from the body.

It is very sticky.

It produces lethargy in the body.

Symptoms of AAM

                  Srotorodhan- Obstruction of circulatory channels - This can occur in any large, small, or minute channel, when it is indicated by stagnation and disturbance in transport, and metabolism can occur even at the cellular level. The commonly observed obstructions are in the liver [affecting the passage of bile], the urinary tract, the fallopian tubes, the blood vessels, the respiratory tract, etc.
Weakness or reduced working power in any part or organ is due to the difficulty produced by AAM in the contraction and relaxation of the musculature of the part, even when the organic structure of the muscle is normal.
                Obstruction of the movement of Vaata - AAM on one side causes disturbance in the action of the musculature of the part or organ, and on the other side it causes disturbances in the conduction of nerve impulses, and ultimately the activity of the concerned part becomes reduced or stopped. It will create lack mental clarity and energy and feel weary and unenthusiastic Heaviness and Lethargy.
Tongue is coated especially upon awaking in the morning. Metabolic disturbance Due to various diseases such as obesity, diabetes, etc., metabolic disturbance is produced.

Signs of AAM

           Feeling heavy, muzzy headed, unclear thinking, aches and pains, bloating, gas, skin blemishes, fever, lack of energy, stickiness, foul smells (breath, sweat, urine, stools, phlegm), sinking stool, mucous in stool, turbid urine, lack of appetite or taste, indigestion, sticky/sweet taste in the mouth, copious phlegm. Pulse; deep, dull, slippery, Tongue thick, greasy coating.
            High triglycerides, atherosclerosis, late-onset diabetes, high blood sugar levels, some forms of depression, rheumatoid factor, the presence of H. pylori bacteria, leukocytosis or leukocytopenia (deficient and excess white blood cells), excess anti-bodies, Candida albicans in the gut and uterus, blood urea, gout, excess platelet count, excess red blood cells, gall stones as a sign of excess bile, kidney stones as a sign of un-metabolized calcium and oxalates, high liver enzymes (ALT, AST), intra-ocular pressure [glaucoma], bacterial infection, high temperature, tumors.

Effects of AAM

         When Aam come in contact with Dosh, tissues, or waste product, it produces SAAM DOSH, SAAM DHATU and SAAM MALA. (SAAM mean mix with Aam, NIRAM mean not mixed with Aam)
        Ayurveda attributes cause of any disease to an imbalance in one or all of the Dosh and for successful treatment of a particular disease physician has to determine, weather the imbalanced Dosh is 'SAAM' or 'NIRAM' .
       Thus, according to this concept, indigestion is the causes for AAM, this indigestion is even not able to digest drugs. Hence, in Saam condition of the patient drugs are unable to give its proper effects and will not be able to cure diseases. After creating Niram status drugs will give miraculous results.