A

aama A term in Ayurvedic medicine, also known
as aamdosh, which refers to the accumulation of
undigested or incompletely digested food—by-
products of metabolism—which in turn may possi-
bly act as antigens, or foreign substances, in the
body. Aamais said to cause indigestion, bad breath,
a coated tongue, and other gastrointestinal prob-
lems. The accumulation of these unusable
“remains” in the body is also said to instigate an
immune-system problem, in which they may be
attacked by antibodies, thus causing the aamasites
to swell, lodge themselves in body tissues, and cre-
ate dysfunction. For example, one Ayurvedic belief
is that aamaharbored in the joints induces arthritic
symptoms. Ayurvedic cleansing techniques may
provide an antidote. A homeopathic belief relates
physical aama to psychological aama, involving
stress or any type of mental “overload,” as a possi-
ble cause of physical symptoms.
See also AYURVEDA; HOMEOPATHY.

abortifacient Any agent, substance, or method
intended to induce an abortion, that is, deliberate
termination of a pregnancy, usually during the ear-
liest stage. The drug RU486 (Mifepristone), for
example, which is used in some countries, may be
administered in conjunction with a prostaglandin
suppository or injection before 47 days have
elapsed since a woman’s last menstrual period if
abortion is desired.
However, various methods of alternative medi-
cine attempt to treat miscarriage, the unexplained,
spontaneous, and undesired loss of an embryo or
fetus. For symptoms of distress, shock, bleeding,
and pain, practitioners of alternative medicine may
employ astringent remedies to discourage bleeding,
herbal sedatives, aromatherapy, Bach Flower
Remedies, the homeopathic substances ignatia and

staphisagria, massage, color therapy, and other

methods believed to have a healing effect.

Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and

Oriental Medicine See Appendix I.

acupoints Also called acupuncture points or trig-

ger points, specific places along a network of nerves

and other bodily structures used as landmarks over

which to apply pressure, as in acupressure; insert

acupuncture needles; or apply other methods to the

skin in order to release the flow of energy so an ail-

ing or dysfunctional organ or body part may heal.

See also ACUPRESSURE; ACUPUNCTURE.

acupressure An ancient Asian technique of nat-

ural healing, at least 5000 years old, involving the

use of the hands and fingers to apply pressure on

or to massage body certain meridians in order to

unblock stagnant energy that may be causing pain.

The third most popular method for treating pain

and illness in the world and considered a painless,

nontoxic method for redirecting ch’i, the Chinese

word for energy, acupressure (and its close associ-

ate acupuncture) draws upon the body meridians,

also known as energy pathways, as connections or

correlations with body organs and functions. When

ch’iflows unimpeded throughout the body, well-

being results. If the energy is thwarted for any rea-

son, illness results. Related to acupuncture without

the use of needles, acupressure is said to be effec-

tive as disease prevention as well as a component

of traditional treatments for arthritis, carpal tunnel

syndrome, chronic pain, symptoms of addiction

withdrawal, motion sickness, multiple sclerosis,

insomnia, fatigue, bronchitis, colds and flu, arthri-

tis, allergies, pneumonia, toothache, sinusitis, sciat-

ica, nausea, hemorrhoids, ear infection, diarrhea,

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