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AN AYURVEDIC CONCEPT FOR PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE.

Article  in  WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES · July 2017

DOI: 10.20959/wjpps20168-7317

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 WORLD JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
Godbole et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
SJIF Impact Factor 6.041

Volume 5, Issue 8, 414-420 Review Article ISSN 2278 – 4357

AN AYURVEDIC CONCEPT FOR PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN

CURE.

Dr. Amrit Godbole1* Dr. Sweta2 and Dr. Abhinav3

*1Junior Resident-2, Department of Kayachikitsa Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS, BHU.

2
Junior Resident-2, Department of Rachana Sharir, Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS, BHU.
3
Assistant Professor (Panchakarma), Department of Kayachikitsa Faculty of Ayurveda,
IMS, BHU.

Article Received on
30 May 2016,
Revised on 20 June 2016,
Accepted on 10 July 2016
DOI: 10.20959/wjpps20168-7317
ABSTRACT
Ayurveda is mainly concerned in maintaining health of every
individual rather than treating the diseases. According to tridosha
theory of Ayurveda vata, pitta and kapha regulate the various complex
mechanisms going on in every individual. Due to changes in the

*Corresponding Author
climate (seasonal changes) the balance of all these three doshas is
Dr. Amrit Godbole affected and a particular dosha may get vitiated at a particular period
Junior Resident-2, of change in season. To bring the proper balance of these three doshas,
Department of Ayurveda advises the use of certain plant and animal products for
Kayachikitsa Faculty of
medicinal purpose & purification methods known as „Panchakarmas‟
Ayurveda, IMS, BHU.
i.e. vamana, virechana, basti, nasya and raktamokshana. Prevention
can be better understood as the measures taken by an individual prior to the onset of any
disease, which will remove the possibility of the disease occurring in the future. Significance
of prevention lies in intervening at the pre-pathogenic phase (stage before any disease
manifests) of the malady or the health problem. Prevention is a holistic approach and the
concept can even be used in the prevention of chronic diseases such as allergic asthama and
other allergic conditions, Coronary heart disease, Hypertension, type2 Diabetes mellitus etc
based on elimination or modification of the risk factors. The knowledge imparted by
Ayurveda can be widely implemented for primary prevention due to its safety and cost-
effectiveness. Prevention can be identified with health education and the concept of
individual and community responsibility of health.

KEYWORDS: Prevention, Tridosa, Panchakarma, type-2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension.

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Godbole et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

INTRODUCTION
Main aim of Ayurveda is to attain pious acts, wealth, desire and salvation by health. Ill health
takes away the health and happiness from life.[1] Ayurveda emphasises on the importance of
maintenance of health of healthy person and curing the disease of ill.[2] Acharya Sharangdhar
quotes, no creature in the universe is immortal, it is impossible to prevent death, but it is
possible to prevent disease.[3] So one should try for that which is preventable. Again Acharya
Charka quotes, “A wise person should perform such actions which are good for his body as
the officer in charge of the city and charioteer in charge of the chariot protects city and the
chariot respectively.[4] Charka further emphasises on maintenance of health. One should take
care of his body by neglecting all other things because if body is not healthy then nothing is
existing.[5] So now we can understand, the primary aim of Ayurveda is “Swasthasya
Swasthya rakshanam” “Aturasya Vikara prashamanam cha,” the context explains the
importance of maintenance and promotion of health in healthy, along with treating a
sickness.[6]

Health
Acharya Charka in sutra Sthana chapter five states, The condition where the body is devoid
of any abnormality is known as Healthy i.e. Svastha.[7] Acharya Sushruta in sutra sthana
chapter fifteen, explained about health that man is said to be svastha whose doshas, Agni’s,
dhatus and malas are in the state of equilibrium along with mental, sensory and spiritual
pleasantness and happiness.[8]

Balanced state of Doshas

Vata, pitta and kapha are the three doshas which perform all the physiological actions of the
body when these all remain in a state of equilibrium but when their equilibrium state changes
these doshas become pathognomic.[9] Physiological variations of doshas occurs in accordance
to, day, season, age and metabolism which can be categorised into different types.[10]

1. Daily
Morning-Kapha predominance
Afternoon-Pitta predominance
Night-Vata predominance

2. Seasonal-Chaya, Prakopa and Prasaman of dosas occur seasonally.

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Godbole et al. World Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

3. Age
Childhood-Kapha
Middle age-Pitta
Old age-Vata

4. Food intake
Begining-Kapha predominance
In the Middle-Pitta predominance
After digestion-Vata predominance

Balanced state of Agni

The Agni should be in equilibrium. Agni is the root cause of aayu, varna, bala, swasthya,
utsah, upchaya, prabha, it is the indicator of prana and apana.[11] Agni is the cause for
bhootagni, dhatwagni and foremost responsible for deha poshak jathargni.[12] Equilibrium
state of Agni leads to proper formation of body tissues and derangement of Agni leads to
different diseases.[13]

Balanced state of Dhatus

Equillibrium state of dhatus is essential for the maintenance of health and prevention of
disease. It is dependent on food consumption, regimes followed and state of Agni.[14]

Characteristics of Health
Acharya Kashyapa elaborates the features of health in Khilasthana, Desire for the intake of
food, proper and easy digestion of the ingested food, evacuation of faeces, urine and flatus
properly, lightness in the body, pleasentness in sense organ, proper timely sleep and
awakening, gain of strength, life and pleasent mind and normal Agni are the features of
health and opposite state is illness.[15]

Ugraaditya, the author of Kalyanakaraka describes two type of health. The prime being
ultimate health i.e. paramartha svasthya, which means due to decreased effects of past deeds,
the soul experiences eternal happiness of liberation that is salvation, which is wonderful,
never ending exceptional and desire of great people and the other general health vyavahara
svasthya which means The normalcy of Agni, dhatus, mala, without any confusion blissful
state of soul and mind is general health.[16]

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Principles for Disease Prevention

The regimens to be followed after awakening from sleep to maintain health routinely are
mentioned in Svasthavritta.[17]

There are two types of Svasthavritta-Vaiyaktika svasthavritta-The principles that are to be

followed by the individual to prevent disease and Samajika svasthavritta-Principles to be
followed by the community for maintenance of health of the society. Acharya Bhavaprakash
said Man should always follow those procedures which keep him healthy always, as health is
always desired. Daily regimen, night regimen & seasonal regimens should be followed as
mentioned to maintain health not otherwise.[18] Acharya Vagbhatta says the person who
always consumes wholesome food, practices wholesome habits, who is not interested in
wordly matters, who sacrifices, who is always balanced towards all beings, forgives, speaks
truth and who follows words of Apta does not develop any disease.[19]

The concepts of prevention of disease include primary and secondary prevention through
Ayurveda:
1. Primary prevention
Primary prevention can be better understood as the measures taken by an individual prior to
the onset of any disease, which will remove the possibility of the disease occurring in the
future.[20] Significance of primary prevention lies in intervening at the pre-pathogenic phase
(stage before any disease manifests) of the malady or the health problem. Primary prevention
is a holistic approach and the concept can even be used in the prevention of chronic diseases
such as Coronary heart disease, Hypertension, Diabetes etc based on elimination or
modification of the risk factors. The knowledge imparted by Ayurveda can be widely
implemented for primary prevention due to its safety and cost-effectiveness. Primary
prevention can be identified with health education and the concept of individual and
community responsibility of health. The following points mentioned can be considered for
the concept of Primary Prevention:
a. Dinacharya – Daily regimen to be followed by an individual.
b. Ritucharya - Seasonal regimen to be followed by an individual.
c. Samshodhana - Seasonal cleansing of the individual.
d. Adhaaraniya Vegas - Non- retention of the Natural urges.
e. Rasayanas – Intake of Rasayanas.
f. Sattvavijaya - Improving the mental strength with the help of Yoga and Dhyana.

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2. Secondary Prevention
It‟s quite common for a Doctor to face a lot of patients asking for methods which can help
them prevent a second attack of stroke, cardiac arrest or even congenital anomalies of a
forthcoming child. Here comes the role of secondary prevention, which may be better
understood as the actions which halt the progress of a disease at its embryonic stage and
prevent further complications. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment are the specific
interventions in such cases. Secondary prevention is fundamentally the realm of Ayurveda
practice. It is mostly an important tool in controlling a disease process and prevents any
further attack.[21] Hence secondary prevention may be identified mostly as a clinical method
and a physician in a real sense is one who understand the dynamics of the pathogenic cycle of
a disease and intervenes accordingly.[22]

Following points mentioned may be considered for the same.

Changes in lifestyle – Advising the patients to make the necessary changes in their lifestyle.
It is the collective responsibility of both the Doctor as well as the individual to prevent the
disease from occurring and relapsing. In cases where the doshas have undergone an
imbalance and have created changes in the dhatus, proper intervention is required to bring the
'Balance' back. Intervention can be in the form of treatment, educating the patient, change in
the diet (pathya) and avoidance of the causative factors. The different modes of intervention
are health promotion, specific protection, early diagnosis and treatment, disability limitation
and rehabilitation.

CONCLUSION
Ayurveda has always emphasized on prevention rather than cure. Ayurveda pays more
attention on avoiding the factors causing diseased state.[23] Ayurveda teaches us about a
routine that can help us gain control over the 'Balance' of the doshas with any change in the
cosmos. Giving a little thought to our daily routine and a few subtle changes in our lifestyle
can result in optimum health and well-being. With the increasing trend of poor health index
of all age group across the world due to uncontrolled pollution and degradation of healthy eco
system, the quality of life is falling to the new low, incidents of deaths are reported all over
the world due to non communicable diseases and other diseases are at alarming rate. Life
expectancy is falling in all ethnicities and countries and this scenario is likely to get worsen;
at this juncture there is a bad need to look into the opportunities which are available in
ancient medical systems, as described earlier, Ayurveda with a outstanding potential to

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reverse the worsening health status across the world would be the best option. Hallmark of
Ayurvedic medicine is that its practices take into account an individual's total internal, social,
and external environment when considering disease prevention, promotion and treatment.
With this, it can be said, Ayurveda is the best option for achieving the goal of personal health
along with public health.

REFERENCES
1. Agnivesha, Charak samhita vidyotini hindi commentary, sutra stahana 1/15, kashinath
shastri, gorakhnath chaturvedi, reprint. chaukhamba bharti academy Varanasi, 2013; p.7.
2. Ibid, Charaka Samhita, sutra sthana 30/26, p.587.
3. Sharangdhara samhita, Jiwanaprada hindi commentary, Poorva khanda5/53, Shailja
Srivastava, reprint. Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi, 2011; 46.
4. Agnivesha, Charak samhita vidyotini hindi commentary, sutra stahana 5/103, kashinath
shastri, gorakhnath chaturvedi, reprint. chaukhamba bharti academy Varanasi, 2013; 132.
5. Ibid, Charaka Samhita, nidan sthana 6/7, p. 650.
6. Ibid, Charaka Samhita, sutra sthana 30/26, p. 587.
7. Chakrapanidatta, ayurvedadipika Commentary edited by vaidya yadavji trikamji acharya,
Chaukhambha Subharti Prakashan, Varanasi, 2014, sutra sthana 5/13, P.38.
8. Susruta, Susruta Samhita, Ayurveda Tattvasandipika Hindi commentary, sutra sthana
15/48 by Kaviraj Dr. Ambikadatta Shastry, reprint. Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan,
Varanas, 2011; 84.
9. Srimad vriddavagbhata, ashtanga samgraha, jeevan hindi commentary, sutrasthana, 1/23-
24 Shailja Srivastava, reprint. Chaukhamba Orientalia, Varanasi edition: first, 2006; 9.
10. Ibid, ashtanga samgraha, sutra sthana 1/25, p. 10.
11. Chakrapanidatta, ayurvedadipika Commentary edited by vaidya yadavji trikamji acharya,
Chaukhambha Subharti Prakashan, Varanasi, 2014, chikitsa sthana 15/3, P.512.
12. Chakrapanidatta, ayurvedadipika Commentary edited by vaidya yadavji trikamji acharya,
Chaukhambha Subharti Prakashan, Varanasi, 2014, chikitsa sthana 15/3, P.512.
13. Chakrapanidatta, ayurvedadipika Commentary edited by vaidya yadavji trikamji acharya,
Chaukhambha Subharti Prakashan, Varanasi, 2014, chikitsa sthana 13/9, P.491.
14. Chakrapanidatta, ayurvedadipika Commentary edited by vaidya yadavji trikamji acharya,
Chaukhambha Subharti Prakashan, Varanasi, 2014, chikitsa sthana 15/50, P.517.
15. Kashyap Samhita khila sthana 5/6. Kashyapa Samhita, Chukhambha Krishnadas
Academy Varanasi, 2003.

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16. Acharya Ugraaditya, Kalyankaarak 2/2.

17. Susruta, Susruta Samhita, Ayurveda Tattvasandipika Hindi commentary, chikitsa sthana
24/3 by Kaviraj Dr. Ambikadatta Shastry, reprint. Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan,
Varanasi, 2011; 131.
18. Acharya Bhavmishra, Bhavprakash, vidyotini tika, 5/12-13 chaukhamba Sanskrit
samsthana.
19. Laghu vagbhatta, Ashtanga Hridaya, sutra sthana 4/36.
20. Susruta, Susruta Samhita, Ayurveda Tattvasandipika Hindi commentary, sutra sthana
21/37 by Kaviraj Dr. Ambikadatta Shastry, reprint. Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan,
Varanas, 2011; 121.
21. Susruta, Susruta Samhita, Ayurveda Tattvasandipika Hindi commentary, sutra sthana
22. 1/22 by Kaviraj Dr. Ambikadatta Shastry, reprint. Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan,
Varanas, 2011; 7.
23. Susruta, Susruta Samhita, Ayurveda Tattvasandipika Hindi commentary, sutra sthana
21/36 by Kaviraj Dr. Ambikadatta Shastry, reprint. Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan,
Varanasi, 2011; 121.
24. Susruta, Susruta Samhita, Ayurveda Tattvasandipika Hindi commentary, uttar sthana 1/25
by Kaviraj Dr. Ambikadatta Shastry, reprint. Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan,
Varanasi, 2011.

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