Abstract

MILLETS AS PATHYA (WHOLESOME DIET) W.S.R TO SEASONS: AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE

Dr. Vijaya Laxmi*, Dr. Smriti Pandey

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Abstract

For ages, millets have been a staple of our diet. Millet is a collective term referring to a number of small seeded annual grasses. It is cultivated as grain crops. It includes Ragi (Finger millet), jowar (Sorghum), Sama (Little millet), Bajra (pearl millet), and Variga (Proso millet). Since, UN General Assembly has declared 2023 as International Year of Millets, Government of India is promoting millets globally in order to raise awareness of millets and enhance their production and consumption. A healthy diet is crucial for illness prevention and the foundation of a long, fulfilling life. A correctly selected diet and diet plan are essential in the management of any ailment. The aahar-vihar which is beneficial and nutritional to the body and also give the happiness to the mind is known as Pathya. The usage of millets as a Pathya (healthy) and Aushadha (medicine) has been documented in both historical literature and modern scientific investigations. Millet has been used for medicinal purposes since the dawn of time due to its high nutritional components. The current paper describes the efficacy of millets as a Pathya and appropriate season for its consumption from Ayurveda perspective.

Keywords: Millets, Pathya, Healthy diet, Season, Ailment, Ayurveda.