E-ISSN:2456-3110

Review Article

Environmental toxicity Prevention

Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medical Sciences

2023 Volume 8 Number 6 June
Publisherwww.maharshicharaka.in

Environmental toxicity: Prevention & Cure in Ayurveda

Rani J.1*, Sharma A.2, Kumawat D.3
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21760/jaims.8.6.12

1* Jyoti Rani, PhD Scholar, Department of Agad Tantra (Toxicology), National Institute of Ayurveda, deemed to be University, Jaipur, Jaipur, India.

2 Anita Sharma, HOD, Department of Agad Tantra (Toxicology), National Institute of Ayurveda, deemed to be University, Jaipur, Jaipur, India.

3 Dinesh Kumawat, Assistant professor, Department of Agad Tantra (Toxicology), National Institute of Ayurveda, deemed to be University, Jaipur, Jaipur, India.

Bioaccumulation and biomagnification are the main process through which environmental toxicity takes place in living organism. This era is era of modernisation and urbanisation and environmental toxicity has become the most dangerous situation. In Ayurveda with the explanation of human health and diseases, the same importance was given to environment and other living creature also. In Ayurveda, environmental toxicity is explained as Janapadodhwansa. Four main factors are explained under Janapadodhwansa - Vayu (air), Jala (water), Desha (land), and Kaala (season) and these becomes more dangerous in following order. Many formulations and method are explained for these Janapadodhwansa factors. Some researches has been done on these method and formulation and some on other herbs and formulation. For eg- Dhoopan Karma with Laksha, Haridra and other drugs is explained as best remedy for the air pollution. Research study on Dhoopan Karma had given the promising result. Ash of some herbs are told to mix with the polluted water. To store water, copper metal and mud made vessels are told in Ayurveda. Research has proved that copper vessel makes water bacteria free. Soil pollution now a days is due to waste of metals and chemicals. Researches has found that the level of metal contamination can be minimised by use of herbs like Neem. The main protocol of management of disease occurred due to environmental pollution is to follow the moral and ethics and Panchakarma.

Keywords: Environment, Janapadodhwansa, Dhoopan, Panchakarma, Detoxify

Corresponding Author How to Cite this Article To Browse
Jyoti Rani, PhD Scholar, Department of Agad Tantra (Toxicology), National Institute of Ayurveda, deemed to be University, Jaipur, Jaipur, India.
Email: 		Jyoti Rani, Anita Sharma, Dinesh Kumawat, Environmental toxicity: Prevention & Cure in Ayurveda. J Ayu Int Med Sci. 2023;8(6):76-79.
Available From
https://jaims.in/jaims/article/view/2442

Manuscript Received Review Round 1 Review Round 2 Review Round 3 Accepted
2023-04-29 2023-05-01 2023-05-08 2023-05-15 2023-05-21
Conflict of Interest Funding Ethical Approval Plagiarism X-checker Note
Nil Nil Yes 16%

© 2023by Jyoti Rani, Anita Sharma, Dinesh Kumawatand Published by Maharshi Charaka Ayurveda Organization. This is an Open Access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ unported [CC BY 4.0].

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Introduction

Environmental pollution is a change in natural composition by the dangerous ingredient which all have potency to lead an imbalance in the biosystem and become the cause of many health hazards for human being and other living creatures of earth. These dangerous ingredients can be solid or liquid or gaseous state. They affect our ecosystem in many ways and affect the animal and human being. In this era of urbanisation, environmental pollution has become so foremost that even question the existence of living being on earth.[1]

In Ayurveda, environmental pollution and toxicity is explained under the heading of Janapadodhwamsa. Janapadodhwamsa is made of two words i.e., “Janapad” means group of people or community and “Dhwamsa” means demolition. Four types of Janapadodhwamsa are described in Ayurveda - Vayu (air), Jala (water), Desha (place), and Kaala (climate). These factors become more dangerous gradually and Kaala is said to be the most dangerous.

In Janapadodhwamsa, many people at the same time are affected by diseases having similar sign and symptoms. In Charak Samhita, A different chapter in Viman Sthana has been devoted to Jana-Padodhwamsa. The main cause of Janapadodhwamsa are - Adharma which means unrighteous or lack of morality. The main reason behind the unrighteous behaviour is Pragyaapradh. Prgya word denote the Dhee (intellect), Dhriti (patience), and Smriti (memory).[2]

Vayu Janapadodhwamsa (Air Pollution)

In Ayurveda, all sign of vitiated Janapadodhwamsa factors is explained in detailed. The signs of vitiated Vayu are - winds does not follow the season, means if winter season there should be cold nature wind but it would be in excess cold nature or minimal or opposite nature. Excessively moist, speedy, harsh, cold, hot, rough, blocking, making terrible sounds, excessive clashing with each other, with unsuitable smell, vapours, gravels, dust, and smoke.[3]

Recent work on Air pollution in Ayurveda

Fumigation with Aparajitha Dhooma Churna for continuous five days show the potential effect on bacterial and fungal growth. Aprajitha Dhoopan Churna contains Agaru (Aquillaria agallocha),

Vacha (Acorus calamus), Nimba (Azadiracta indica) etc.[4] A study on household plants had proved that these plants are beneficial to maintain O2 and CO2 balance. Plants like Aloe vera, Lilly, Snake plant, Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) decreases the CO2 concentration in environment.[5]

In this study on Agnihotra (fire ritual), which is part of rituals has proven that it is a non-conventional solution to air pollution 324 Ahuties Yagya with cow’s desi ghee, Pipal wood (Ficus religiosa), Havan Samagri a mixture of Kapurkachari, Guggulu, Nagarmotha, Balchhaar or Jatamansi, Narkachura, Sugandhbela, Illayachi, Jayphal, Lavang and Dalchini etc. has shown 51% reduction in SO2 and 60% reduction in NO.[6]

If WHO recommendation is seen, then ninety percent population is living in bad air quality. The one and the only Air pollution management way is to reduce the release of toxic substance in the air through the combustion, vehicle and industries.

Jala Janapadodhwamsa (Water Pollution)

Water is the 75% parts of the earth and considered to give life to living being when it is pure. Water becomes impure because of decomposed dead bodies of aquatic animals, decomposed unexposed plants, unexposed water to sun, moon, and air, growth of micro-organisms and water when mixed with rainwater. The quality and potency of water are diminished and is confirmed by sight, smell, consistency, odour, taste, chemical transformation. The major problems that arise out of water pollution are vomiting, diarrhoea, anaemia, loss of appetite, liver and kidney impairment, hepatitis A, hepatitis E, typhoid like fevers, GIT issues, skin disorders, and metal poisoning.[1]

Recent researches on water pollution in Ayurveda

Copper utensil is told to be the best for storage of water. The research was carried out on storing of water in copper utensil and it shows the result that it kills diarrheagenic bacteria. E. coli was completely killed[7] from this study, some researches has been carried out on herbs like Krishna Thulsi (Ocimum sanctum Linn.), Karpoora Thulsi (Ocimum kilimandscharium Guerke), Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) and Asoka (Saraca indica Linn.), Krishna Thulsi (Ocimum sanctum). in these herbs, Krishana Tulsi has shown antibacterial activity.[8]


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Acharya Vagbhatta has explained Jala Nirvishikarana Yoga in which one researches was carried out. Water was treated with this Yoga and kept for one year at room temperature. This Yoga shows the antimicrobial effect.

Desha Janapadodhwamsa (Soil Pollution)

Due to solid and liquid waste are deposit in land which result physical, chemical, and biological deterioration. Construction material, pesticide, deforestation, urbanisation is the main reason for soil quality degradation. This also contribute in other factor like animal species extinction, climate changes, landslides etc. in Ayurveda literature features of soil pollution are- unusual smell, colour, touch, taste, extreme humidity, abounding in serpents, beasts of prey, mosquitoes, locusts, flies, mice, and owls, abounding in jungles of weeds and grass, abundance of excessively branched creepers, fallen, destroyed crops, smoky wind, constant wild cries of birds and baying of dogs, bewilderment and painful disposition of different kinds of birds and animals, constant agitation and overflow of water reservoirs, frequent affliction with thunderbolts, meteorites, and earth quakes, appearance of the atmosphere as if there is confusion, excitement, apprehension and darkness.[9] If one person came in contact with polluted land may cause swelling, burning sensation, falling of hairs and nails.[10]

Recent researches on land pollution in Ayurveda

Many studies have been done for detection of metal contamination in soil and its management through plantation of different herbs. Neem (Azadiracta indica), wild Neem (Melia azadirach), and river tamarind subabool (Leucaena luecocephala) has been proved in lowering the Chromium concentration in soil.[11]

Kaala Janapadodhwamsa (Season)

In modern, the season variation is not explained as separate but as a feature of other pollution. In Ayurveda, Kaala Janapadodhwamsa is explained as change in climate changes and features not according to season. It is told to be the most dangerous situation because in case of Air, water, and Soil, one can change the place but cannot change the season. Feature will not be according to Ritu (Season), it can be or just opposite to season.

Noise pollution: This modern era is being

referred as era of noise because of vehicle sound, industrial sound, the city construction and indoor. Due to noise pollution, people are suffering from hearing loss, high Blood pressure, headache, depression, fatigue, anxiety, and even cardiac arrest. Noise pollution also affect the ability to focus on study and work. For the management of noise pollution, first, the reduction in cause and Pranayama helps in reduce the effect of noise pollution. Yoga and Mantra recitation is the best way to reduce the negative effect.

Discussion

Janapadodhwamsa management are explained through Panchakarma (Detoxification therapy) and Sadvritta & Achar Rasayana (Right moral conduct). It can be curative and preventive also. Panchakarma is explained in disease as well for the healthy one. To maintain the health, one specific season has been told for Panchakarma procedure according to Dosha Prakopa (vitiation) for eg- in summer season, Basti should be planned as in the summer season, naturally Vata become vitiated. If a person is suffering from disease, then according to the condition Panchakarma procedure should be done, it can be Vaman, Virechan, Basti, Raktamokshana, Nasya. Researches has been proved that Panchakarma eliminate the toxin from the body. The Panchakarma loose the lipid soluble toxicant from the deposited site and helps in their excretion. These toxins are the metabolite which increase the free radicals in body. When person is exposed to toxin, it gets absorbed through oral route of contact to skin it reaches to blood and plasma and get distributed in tissues. After biotransformation, the metabolite is excreted or deposit in body. when it is deposited, they act as cumulative toxicity.[1] so Panchakarma helps in excretion of theses free radicals and metabolite which are deposited in body due to frequent exposure.

After the Panchakarma, Rasayana should be given to patient as it helps in rejuvenating the cell and provide strength. For eg- Aamlaki Rasayana which is the best immune-modulator and anti-oxidant.[12] Ashwagandha possess the aphrodisiac property, rejuvenating, neuro-regenerative and it helps in dendrite formation by GABA mimetic effect and maintain the mitochondrial healthy status.[13] Apart from these, so many Rasayana has been explained in Ayurveda.


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Simultaneously the Lifestyle change and Yoga is important one to prevent the effect of environmental toxicity. Yoga is the ideal approach in increasing lung capacity and it also keeps toxins from entering our body. So, yoga should be done to avoid these toxins from harming our various systems of body.

Conclusion

The modern era is era of urbanisation, so environmental toxicity will be in flow but one can do effort to minimise this effect by doing some changes in the treating nature like by doing more plantation, by reducing the combustion, by reducing the quantity of waste in water and soil by searching the alternative method. Person should adopt right and moral things in daily life. To maintain health, Panchakarma therapy would be proved very beneficial and it lead to minimise the toxin in body, so that it cannot produce any disease. Use of Rasayana drug helps in maintain the strength of body and act as immunomodulator. Ayurveda has the potency to maintain and prevent the men as well as environment from the exogenous impact. But the thing is to explore more and to adopt in daily life.

Reference

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2. Yadav et al., An ayurvedic review on janapadodhwamsa, Innovare Journol of Ayurvedic Science, Vol 9, Issue 6, 2021, 1-5

3. Sharma RK, Das VB. Charaka Samhita by Agnivesa, Vimanasthana, Chapter 3: Janapadhodhwamsaneeyam Vimanam, Verse (1)6, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Series Office, Varanasi, India, Reprint. 2008;142.

4. Celine C, Sindhu A, Muraleedharn MP. Microbial growth inhibition by aparajitha dhooma choornam. Anc Sci Life. 2007;26(3):4-8.

5. Kulkarni KA, Zambare MS. Impact of house plant in the purification of environment using wireless sensor network. Scientific Res Open Access. 2018;10(3):59- 69.

6. Sharma PK, et al, Agnihotra – a non-conventional solution to air pollution. Int J Innovative Res Sci Amp Eng. 2014;2.

7. Sudha VB, Ganesan S, Pazhani GP, Ramamurthy T, Nair GB, Venkatasubramanian P. Storing drinkingwater in copper pots kills contaminating diarrhoeagenic bacteria. J Health Popul Nutr. 2012;30(1):17-21

8. Harikumar PS, Manjusha CM. Study on the Antibacterial activity of selected Natural Herbs and its application in Water Treatment. Drinking water Engineering and Science Discussions. 2013;6:199- 231.

9. Acharya VJT. Susruta, Sushruta Samhita, Kalpasthana, Chapter 3: Jangamavishakalpa Vijnaneeya, Verse 10-11, Chaukhambha Sanskrit Samsthan, Varanasi, India. 2014;568.

10. Acharya VJT. Charaka Samhita by Agnivesa, Vimanasthana Chapter 3 Janapadhodhwamsaneeyam Vimanam, Verse (3) 6, Chaukhambha Prakashan, Varanasi, India. 2007;241.

11. Saktivel V, Vivekanandan M. Springer Reclamation of tannery polluted soil for phytoremediation. Physio Mol Biol Plants. 2009;15(2):175-80

12. Rege NN et al., Adaptogenic Properties of Six Rasayanaa Herbs Used in Ayurvedic Medicine. Phytotherapy Research Phytother Res. 1999;13:275-91.

13. Singh N et al., An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayanaa (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011;8(5):208-13.


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