Role of Swasthavritta in Ayurveda for healthy life : A Review

Abstract

The objective of preventive medicine is to oppose the disease in order to preserve the health, promote the health, prolong the life and to minimize sufferings.  Food is said to be cause of stability for all the living beings. There is nothing except diet for sustaining the life of living beings. The Srotas which carries “Anna” (food) are called as Annavaha Srotas. Annavaha Srotas can be correlated with gastrointestinal tract. According to Ayurveda consumption of Apathya and Ahitkara Ahara is the main cause of Annavaha Srotas Dushti. Commonly Mahastrotas is the term applicable to Annavaha Strotas. The Ahara/Aushadhi which is not causing any harm to Srotas and is wholesome to the body and mind is Pathya. Ayurveda specially expresses the importance of food in maintaining & promoting good health as well as in curing diseases. We observe mainly individual suffering from deficiency disease, even after consumption of the so-called balanced diet. Ideal diet means just not only the consumption of carbohydrate, protein, fat etc. The diet should have the qualities like Hita Ahara, Satmya-Ahara, Aviruddha Ahara, Sarva-Rasa-Sannivishta-Ahara. To obtain maximum benefit from the diet we take, it is necessary to follow certain dietetics rules like Asta Ahara Vidhi Visheshayatanani, Ahara Vidhi Vidhan, Dwadashashana Pravichara etc. By adopting these rules regulations related to Ahara Sevana one can prevent the Annavahastrotao Dushti, which in turn helps to avoid diseases