In Ayurveda, the concepts of Saatmya and Asaatmya play a central role in understanding how food impacts the body. Saatmya refers to foods that are beneficial for the body, mind, and soul, while Asaatmya refers to foods that are harmful or unsuitable, causing imbalance. When we consume foods that are Asaatmya—those not suited to our unique constitution or digestive power—our body perceives them as toxins or allergens. As a result, the immune system reacts to protect us, manifesting symptoms such as respiratory issues, skin hives, or digestive disturbances.
The Asaatmya foods, interacts with the jathar agni (digestive fire) in the stomach. If digestion is strong, there may be no visible symptoms unless the harmful food is consumed in large quantities or in a highly concentrated form. However, if Asaatmya foods are consumed regularly, the digestive system can become weakened and damaged, leading to the gradual buildup of undigested food particles, known as Aama. This undigested matter disrupts the flow of nutrients (rasa dhatu) to the cells and tissues of the body, which may lead to inflammation.
Taking gluten as an example, the wheat consumed today is often genetically altered, which can make it unsuitable for some people. The body may perceive this altered wheat as Asaatmya, leading to inflammatory responses. The severity of the reaction depends on an individual's body constitution (or prakriti) and their digestive strength. If the body is unable to properly digest this altered gluten, the undigested particles may accumulate and cause inflammation in areas of weakness, like the joints, exacerbating conditions such as arthritis.
In Ayurveda, there is also the concept of Sthan Vaigunya, which refers to specific areas of the body that are prone to weakness or injury. For example, the liver in someone with alcohol consumption, or the eyes and joints in someone who works long hours on a computer are places of sthan vaigunya. When ama (undigested food) reaches these vulnerable areas, it can worsen the damage, acting like a thief that finds a door left open. This is why symptoms like digestive issues, skin rashes, joint pain, fatigue, brain fog, and peripheral neuropathy may often appear.
According to Ayurveda, the root cause of many diseases is poor gut health. If we take care of the gut by choosing foods that are Saatmya for our individual constitution, the digestive system will remain strong and healthy, and in turn, the body will be better able to defend itself and maintain overall well-being.
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
