Concept of viruddha Aahara in ayurvedic science

Concept of Viruddha Ahara, incompatible food combinations, Ayurveda

1. Concept of Viruddha  Ahara  By : Dr . ANAND  P. V IBHUTE   3rd year PG Sch. BLDEA’S AVS AYURVEDA MAHAVIDYALAYA, BIJAPUR Dept. Of Dravyaguna   Guided by :           Dr. Shashidhar Naik   Dr . D.N. Dhari   Dr. Vidya Pujari     Dr . Gurudevi Patil

2. Introduction  In Ayurvedic classics, Ahara is mentioned as one among the three Upasthambas  . The difference of proper health and disease is based on the difference between wholesome and unwholesome food .  Viruddha Ahara is a unique and important concept described in Ayurveda. The diet, which disturbs the balance among the body elements, is called as Viruddha Ahara. . Therefore Ayurveda have given keen attention on concept of wholesome  ahara and unwholesome ahara . Correspondingly intake of incompatibility food is much increases in present era. 

3.   देहधातुप्रत्यनीकभूतानि   द्रव्याणि देहधातुभिर्विरोधमापद्यन्ते ;   परस्परगुणविरुद्धानि कानिचित् , कानिचित् संयोगात्   संस्कारादपराणि   देशकालमात्रादिभिश्चापराणि तथा स्वभावादपराणि ॥ cha . Su . 26  One should not consume the substance in following manner.  Deha Dhatu refer to the  Doshadi  Dhatu present in equilibrium state. The Dravya which are opposite to Deha Dhatu is called as Deha Dhatu  Pratyanika   Dravya. The substances which are unwholesome to normal Dhatus and Doshas are known as Viruddhahara .  Viruddhahara is of several types viz.   Paraspara Guna  Viruddhani  : incompatibility due to opposite guna"s     Samyoga Viruddha  : incompatibility due to the combination of two (though, as individual substances, they may not be opposite to each other in qualities).

4.  Samskara Virudha : (incompatibility due to method of preparation or processing).  Des h a  Viruddha  (incompatibility due to habitat or Some substance by virtue of the place (land and body)  Kala  Viruddha  (incompatibility due to time).  Matra  Viruddha  (incompatibility due to dosage).   Svabhava   Viruddha  (incompatibility by their inherent nature).

5. यत्   किञ्चिद्दोषमास्त्राव्य  न  निर्हरति   कायतः  । आहारजातं   तत्   सर्वमहितायोपपद्यते  || All food and drugs which dislodge the various Doshas from their proper place,   but cannot eliminate them or pacify to their normal status and also contradicts with Doshas, Dhatus; yet remains inside the body are termed as  Viruddha  Dravya.  are to be regarded as Ahita (unwholesome). Those substances which aggravate Doshas The food which is wrong in combination, has undergone wrong processing, consumed in incorrect dose & consumed in incorrect time of the day in wrong season can be termed as  Viruddha   Aahara .  Chakrapani Datta Ayurveda Dipika आहियत   इत्याहारो   भेषजमपि   The substance which is swallowed is called Ahara Dravya &  is classified as Ahara and  Aushadha ,  Viruddha  Ahara does the increase the Dosha in Sharir but it does not eliminate out from  Sharira . The Vaman,  Virechana  Dravya does not falls in this category because they  eliminte  dosha's out from sharira .

6. Desha Viruddha - विरुद्धं देशतस्तावद्रूक्षतीक्ष्णादि धन्वनि  |       आनूपे स्निग्धशीतादि भेषजं यन्निषेव्यते  ||   The food items having similar properties to that of Desha is called as Desha Viruddha . Intake of Ruksha and Tikshna substance in  Jangala  Desha and Sheeta and Snigdha substance in Anupa Desha is Desha  Viruddha . Jangala  Desha is dry with less water, so all human in that area are Vata predominant in nature, if a person consume Ruksha, Tikshna ahara it leads aggravation of Vata. In Anupa  desh  Snigdha Guna is more, people are of  Kapha  predominance, so afflicted with  kapha  disorders. If they consume more of  snigdha  , sheet ahara , it leads to aggrevation  of Kapha .  It is stated that one should take food hav i ng properties opposite to corresponding Desha.  Charakacharya considered only Bhumi Desha as Desha Viruddha whereas Gangadhara has explained Desha Viruddha as Bhumi Desha as well as Sharira Desha Viruddha . 

7. Kaala Viruddha कालतोऽपि विरुद्धं यच्छीतरूक्षादिसेवनम् ।        शीते काले, तथोष्णे च कटुकोष्णादिसेवनम् ॥ Consuming food items having similar properties to that of Kaal i.e. Season is called as kaal viruddha  .       e.g.: a.Sheeta (cold) and Ruksha (dry) substances in Sheeta Kala (Hemanta, Shishira & Vasanta  Ritus ).     b.Intake of  Katu  (Pungent) and Ushna (hot) substances in Ushna kala (Grishma, Sharada  Ritus )   c.Consuming curd at night d. Sushruta mentioned that food substances having opposite Rasa and Guna are beneficial in that respective season. Therefore similar qualities of food substances are harmful to respective season and it may be cause for disease after a long period. 

8. Agni Viruddha विरुद्धमनले तद्वदन्नपानं चतुर्विधे ।  Food taken without knowledge of individual’s Agni which may be either of 4 types Mrudu, Madhyama, Tikshna and Vishama .  e.g.:-   a. Intake of Guru food (foods which are heavy to digest) when there is Mandagni (low digestion power) and  b. Intake of Laghu (light) food when the power of digestion is Tikshnagni (sharp) and intake of food at variance with irregular and normal power of digestion.

9. Matra Viruddha : - मधुसर्पिः समधृतं मात्रया तद्विरुध्यते ॥    There are some food items which act as Viruddha Aahara when mixed in equal proportion.  e.g.:- Ghee + Honey in equal proportion.

10. Saatmya Viruddha :- कटुकोष्णादिसात्म्यस्य स्वादुशीतादिसेवनम् । यत्तत् सात्म्यविरुद्धं तु Consuming such food items for which that individual is not used to.  e.g.:-Madhura and Sheeta aahar by a person who is used to Katu and Ushna aahara .

11. Dosha Viruddha विरुद्धं त्वनिलादिभिः ।। या समानगुणाभ्यासविरुद्धान्नीषधक्रिया । Food items having similar properties to that of Doshas, which causes Dosha dushti are called as Dosha Viruddha .  Gangadhara has elaborated this term  1. Dosha Viruddha according to Rasa – Katu Rasa for Vata.  2. Vyadhi Virruddha -Curd mixed with rice for Kushtha .

12. Sanskara Viruddha   संस्कारतो विरुद्धं तद्यद्भोज्यं विषवद्भवेत् ॥  एरण्डसीसकासक्तं शिखिमांसं यथैव हि । Consumption of those substances which are against mode of preparation. Food prepared by wrong method is Sanskara Viruddha .  e.g :-  a. Heated Madhu (Honey) b. Meat of peacock roasted on a castor spit c. Meat of parrot placed inside a faggot of eranda ( Ricinis communis) and then cooked. d. Meat of sparrow and peacock roasted on castor spit.

13. Veerya Viruddha विरुद्धं वीर्यतो ज्ञेयं वीर्यतः शीतलात्मकम् ॥ तत् संयोज्योष्णवीर्येण द्रव्येण सह सेव्यते ।  Consuming food items having opposite Veerya at the same time termed as Veerya Viruddha . e.g.:- Fish of Ushna Veerya consumed with Sheeta Veerya Milk. 

14. Kr a ma  Viruddha यच्चानुत्सृज्य विण्मूत्रं भुङ्क्ते यश्चाबुभुक्षितः । तच्च क्रमविरुद्धं स्याद्यच्चातिक्षुद्वशानुगः ॥ Intake of the diet without excreting the stools and urine; and consumption of   food when there is no appetite or when   the hunger is too much aggravated are the examples for Krama Viruddha . Food Consumed by wrong sequence is considered as Krama Viruddha .  e.g.:- Sweet Dishes after meal. 

15. Koshtha Viruddha क्रूरकोष्ठस्य चात्यल्पं मन्दवीर्यमभेदनम् ॥ मृदकोष्ठस्य गुरु च भेदनीयं तथा बहु । एतत् कोष्ठविरुद्धं तु , Here Chakrapani and Gangadhara said that any drug or food item taken  without proper knowledge of individuals Koshtha termed as Koshtha Viruddha .  Consumption of those substances which are against nature of bowels. For example – a. Administration of less quantity of mrudu rechak to a person of Krura koshta (Constipated bowel). b. Administration of more quantity tikshna rechaka to a person having mrudu   kostha . e.g.:-  Barbeque food and baked food consumed by person who is habitual to Constipation i.e. Krura Koshtha person.

16. Awastha Viruddha विरुद्धं स्यादवस्थया ॥   श्रमव्यवायव्यायामसक्तस्यानिलकोपनम् । निद्रालसस्यालसस्य भोजनं श्लेष्मकोपनम् ॥  Consuming food without exact knowledge of own health and bodily conditions.  Or Consumption of those substances which are against States or condition. For example – a. Intake of Vata aggravating food by a person after exertion, sexual act or physical exertion. b. Intake of Kapha aggravating food by a person after sleep or drowsiness

17. Parihara Viruddha   परिहारविरुद्धं तु वराहादीनिषेव्य यत् ।  सेवेतोष्णं घृतादींश्च पीत्वा शीतं निषेवते ॥ Consuming cold food items after hot and spicy food is Parihara Viruddha .  For example – a. Intake of hot potency food after taking meat of boar etc. b. cold substances after taking ghee.

18. Upachaara Viruddha   Consuming food items which are not supposed to consume after specific  treatment is Upachaara Viruddha .  e.g.:- Drinking cold water after snehapana or after steam bath.   Drinking of hot water after consumption of madhu .

19. Paak Viruddha विरुद्धं पाकतश्चापि दुष्टदुर्दारुसाधितम् । अपक्वतण्डुलात्यर्थ पक्वदग्धं च यद्भवेत् । Preparation of food with bad or damaged firewood; grains being not properly cooked, or excessively cooked or burnt are the examples for Paka Viruddha .  e.g.:- Half fried egg .

20. Samyoga Viruddha संयोगतो विरुद्धं तद्यथाऽम्लं पयसा सह ॥   Consuming food items which are not supposed to combine with each other is Samyoga Viruddha . Especially Amla rasa fruits with milk. For example a. Intake of sour substances with milk e.g :- Amla Rasa with Madhura Rasa - Strawberry milkshake, Banana milkshake. Only the combination of Mango fruit with milk is advised in Ayurveda.

21. Hrut Viruddha   अमनोरुचितं यच्च हृद्विरुद्धं तदुच्यते । Consuming food items which are not pleasant to consumer is Hrut Viruddha .  e.g. :- Bitter melon, Decoctions for Children. 

22. Sampat Viruddha संपद्विरुद्धं तद्विद्यादसंजातरसं तु यत् ॥ अतिक्रान्तरसं वाऽपि विपन्नरसमेव वा । Intake of the substances which are yet to be ripened; over ripened or putrefied are called Sampat Viruddha . e.g :- Sheera prepared in vegetable Oil., Food substance /fruits which haven’t fulfilled their original taste or damaged taste or over ripped.

23. Vidhi Viruddha ज्ञेयं विधिविरुद्धं तु भुज्यते निभृते न यत् ।   तदेवंविधमन्नं स्याद्विरुद्धमुपयोजितम् ॥ ch.su.26 In Ayurveda there is detail explanation of rules for food consumption under Aahara Vidhividhana concept. Consuming food without considering those rules is Vidhi Viruddha .  प्रकृतिकरण  संयोग राशि देश काल उपयोग संस्था  उपयोक्ता   अष्टमानि   भवन्ति  ।  ch.vi

24. Complications Of  Viruddhahaara षाण्ड्यान्ध्यवीसर्पदकोदराणांविस्फोटकोन्मादभगन्दराणाम् ।  मूर्च्छामदाध्मानगलग्रहाणां पाण्ड्वामयस्यामविषस्य चैव ॥ किलासकुष्ठग्रहणीगदानां शोधाम्लपित्त-ज्वरपीनसानाम्   सन्तानदोषस्य तथैव   मृत्योर्विरुद्धमन्नं प्रवदन्ति हेतुम् ॥   The following are the complications arise due to intake of Viruddhahara . > Shandhyatva , Andhya , Visarpa , Dakodar , Visphota , Unmada, Bhagandara ,  Murccha , Mada,  Adhmana ,  Galagraha ,  Panduroga , Amavişa , Kilasa , Kustha ,  Grahani , Sotha,  Amlapitta , Jvara , Pinasa , Santana- Doşa , Mrtyu  

25. Chikitsa   विरुद्धंशुद्धिरत्रेष्टा शमो वा तद्विरोधिभिः । द्रव्यैस्तैरेव वा पूर्वं शरीरस्याभिसंस्कृतिः || A.Hr.Su.7 एषां खल्वपरेषां च वैरोधिकनिमित्तानां व्याधीनामिमे भावाः प्रतिकारा भवन्ति | तद्यथा - वमनं विरेचनं च, तद्विरोधिनां च द्रव्याणां संशमनार्थमुपयोगः , तथाविधैश्च द्रव्यैः पूर्वमभिसंस्कारः शरीरस्येति || ch.su.26 Along with types and disease pathogenesis caused by Viruddha Aahara , Acharya Charaka has also stated treatment for it. Using this plan of treatment one can overcome the hazardous effects of Viruddha Aahara . 

26. Charaka has described 3 different ways to treat the patient. 1. Shodhana -  Shodhana  means to exclude all the  Vigunita  / Dushta  Doshas from body with the help of Vamana and  Virechana . For  Viruddha   Aahara ;   Virechana  is preferably used treatment than  Vamana.But   Shodhana  can be useful only when there is long term history of regular consumption of  Viruddha   Aahara . 2. Shamana- When person is not a regular consumer of  Viruddha   Aahara  and  Sharira  Doshas are not much aggravated; then by using drugs having exactly opposite properties to that of  Viruddha   Aahara  can settle down the  Vikruta  Doshas.  3.  Nidanaparivarjana  - Prevention is always better than cure. By consuming healthy and  Pathyakara   Aahara  and avoiding consumption of  Viruddha   Aahara  one can prevent himself from all the hazardous effects of  Viruddha   Aahara . This is actually the first step towards the treatment of diseases caused by  Viruddha   Aahara .

27. Viruddhahara doesn't cause any ill effects in the following cases   सात्म्यतोऽल्पतया वाऽपि दीप्ताग्नेस्तरुणस्य च।   स्निग्धव्यायामबलिनां विरुद्धं वितथं भवेत् ॥ ch.su.26   व्यायामस्निग्धदीप्ताग्निवयःस्थबलशालिनाम् ।   विरोध्यपि न पीडायै सात्म्यमल्पं च भोजनम् ॥ A.hr.su.7 Who are habituated to take virrudha ahara ( Satmyata ). Intake of less quantity of virrudha ahara   ( Alpatayā ). Whoever has strong digestive fire( Diptāgni ) In the young age (Taruna).  Whoever has undergone oleation therapy (Snigdha). Whoever has strong due to exercises ( Vyāyāma Balinām ).

28. DISCUSSION As per Ayurvedic text certain food products or there combinations act as Viruddha Aahara which deteriorate Sharirastha Dhatus.  There are total 18 types of Viruddha Aahara explained by Charaka and their commentators Chakrapani and Gangadhara.  Consumption of Viruddha Aahara leads to several diseases by aggravating Sharirastha Prakruta Doshas and deteriorating Prakruta Dhatus. So, one should have proper understanding of all the types of Viruddha Aahara to avoid consumption of Incom-patible dietary articles of today’s fast food era. 

29. CONCLUSION Viruddha Ahara can lead to disorders up to impotency and infertility, thus it has an impact up to Shukra Dhatu Dushti . This unknowingly can lead to several hazardous diseases even death in the patients.  Therefore, it is important to enlist the causative incompatible dietary factors and advise the patients to avoid such etiological factors (Nidana Parivarjana ) . By chance if any disease occurs Shodhana and Shamana type of chikitsa can be given to eradicate that disease. Similarly patients of food poisoning can  be treated with same line of treatment. Therefore in Ayurvedic system, the dietary guidance and restrictions have been elaborately described by all the Ayurvedacharyas .  Moreover, Acharya Charaka emphasizes that if a man controls his mind and senses and consumes good and restricted diet, he can live up to the very ripe age of one hundred years without any diseases. 

30.           Thank You