Abstract

AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF ARSHA PURVARUPA ‘SHAKRUDBHEDO ATHWA GRAHA’ WITH SPECIAL ASPECT TO AHARYA DRAVYA SEVAN AND DEHA PRAKRITI

Tabassum Kauser Iqbal Ahmed Khan*, D. T. Kodape and R. S. Dhimdhime

Abstract

Indigestion is one of the main cause of many diseases. It is the condition from which many other disease conditions arise. Diarrhea (Shakrudbheda), Constipation (Shakrudgraha) and Haemorrhoids (Arsha), these all are the common problems of digestive system. The health of digestive system is the most important factor for health and wellbeing of individuals. Healthy digestion leads to a healthy life and unhealthy digestion leads to an unhealthy life. If digestion is healthy, body can produce healthy tissues i.e. Dhatu. When digestion is weak, Dhatu become weak and susceptible to diseases. The Nidana of digestive disorders lies in our actions i.e. our Aahar and Vihar. By taking Aahar in an unhealthy manner, the equilibrium of Dosha are disturbed. Vata Dosha is vitiated by Sheet, Ruksha and Laghu Aahar. Pitta Dosha is vitiated by Ushna, Laghu and oily foods like deep fried vegetables. Kapha Dosha is vitiated by Sheet, Guru and moist food. In addition, Aahar Sevan in an improper manner is also more harmful than choosing inappropriate Aahar. Even Hita Ahara taken in the wrong way i.e. not following rules of Aahar Sevan, will still cause digestive disorders. Ayurveda stresses a lot on the role of Aahar in maintaining good health and preventing diseases. According to the Ayurveda, health is maintained not only by taking a balanced diet but it also depends on a very important factor i.e. Prakriti of an individual. The concept of Prakriti in Ayurveda is helpful in maintaining health, understanding disease and its management. Knowledge of Prakriti can be helpful in maintenance of health by following appropriate lifestyle, diet and regimen suitable in the particular environmental condition. Prakriti of an individual consists of one or more of the Dosha i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kapha. This determines which type of Aahar helps the person in promoting health and which are not appropriate for the same. Prakriti has power to predict future illnesses, hence Ayurveda has given lot of importance to Prakriti Parikshana. Prakriti indicates proneness of that individual for Dosha specific diseases by which his Prakriti is decided. That means an individual who belongs to Vata predominant Prakriti, will get Vata vitiated diseases more frequently and easily than an individual of Pitta or Kapha Prakriti. The severity of diseases will also be more, if the Dosha of Prakriti and vitiation is common. With the help of Prakriti Parikshana, the individual can be given suggestions regarding diet and life style not only during disease but also during healthy condition for maintaining optimal health. By using proper diet and if required changes in life style will keep the individual free from diseases for which Prakriti of that individual makes him prone. Hence Prakriti plays a vital role in prevention aspect.

Keywords: Indigestion, Constipation, Diarrhea, Aahar, Prakriti.