ROLE OF POSHANA IN AYURVEDA
*Dr. Aparna Sharanagat, Dr. Meenakshi Chauhan, Dr. M. B. Pillewan and Dr. Shruti Dixit
ABSTRACT
Poshana derived from Pus dhatu plus ana, meaning to bringing up, to lighting, to nourishing and to maintaining etc. The opposite word of Poshana is Shoshana (drying up). Importance of "Ahara" - Contents of food and "Agni ", the process of digestion and absorption of food in body. While Ahara is recognized as Upstambha" the very pillar of life, the "Agni" is kept in the category of "prana”. Poshana starts from ahara paka, dhatu paka, dhatu poshana, and creation of sara and kitta. Ayurveda gives credit to Aahara and Agni for nourishment of body and soul together and believes that it is optimum nutrition of body and mind which shall make one capable to follow the ideals of life i?e. Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha the four fold aims of life. There are multiple factors which determine the qualitative and quantitative parameters of food to achieve nutrition. These include, prakrti-Constitution, Vaya- Specific age group, Desha-Physical structure of individuals, geographical zone. Kala-Particular phase of life, Ritu- Particular season and Agni - Capacity of individuals to digest. When all these factors are taken into consideration by individual only that is “Hitahaara” or Samahaara “Ideal food”.
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