Abstract

AAHARA (WHOLESOME FOOD) AND HEALTH: AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE

Dr. Monika Chaudhary*

Abstract

To maintain the health of a healthy individual is the primary objective of Ayurveda. The science of ayurveda has described a lot of dietary and lifestyle managements which plays a major role in prevention of diseases thereby maintaining the health of the person. A healthy diet is a big part of any successful self care plan. The Ayurvedic approach of food and dietetics is quite different from western approach. According to ayurveda, the type and quantity of food articles to be consumed depends on the age/ prakriti/season/power of digestion of the individual. The primary focus of the western concept of nutrition is on the physical attributes of food. A balanced diet in ayurveda is planned in relation to the known panchabhautic composition and tridoshic impacts of the diet constituents on the living body. Acharya Charaka, the founder of Indian medicine, mentioned the aahara(wholesome food) as the foremost significant pillar out of three pillars of good health-Aahara(wholesome food), nidra(proper sleep) and brahmacharya (regulated sex). The modern science explains the role of food for physical and mental development but the science of ayurveda explains that aahara(food) affects not only the physical, mental but also the spiritual well being of a person.

Keywords: Ayurveda, prakriti, panchbhautic, tridoshic, aahara, nidra, brahmacharya.