Retrospective survey study of charakokta ashtadasha types of viruddhaahar factors as hetu of amlapitta with special reference to garavisha.

About Author

Correspondence Address

Dr. Nayak Jayati,
Assistant professor, Department of Agadtantra, Bharati Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be university), College of Ayurveda, Pune
Contact No. : 8989460243,, Email : nayak.jayati@gmail.com

Date of Acceptance : 14 Jun 2025

Date of Publication : 29 Jun 2025

Article ID : SD-IJAY_131

How to cite this article : http://doi.org/10.55552/SDNJAY.2025.3201

Abstract

Ayurveda has a unique treatment method which involves medicine and food regimens both for the complete healing. Amlapitta is a common complication due to current lifestyle and food habits. It may indicate a severe gastric complication and may cause gastric and esophageal ulcers or achalasia cardia. Common causes of Amlapitta depend upon food habits, amount, composition, combination and time of food. In Charaka Samhita, the ashtadasha types of viruddhaahar are mentioned as a hetu (causative factor) which will cause Amlapitta. In the current scenario, a balanced food regimen is essential to maintain proper digestion and nutrition; otherwise, it will affect the whole system of the body, while the digestive system will be more affected. Gara visha can be considered an artificial poison, and it is formed by a combination of two or more than two poisonous or non-poisonous substances which vitiates all the doshas, dhatus and srotas in the body and produces dangerous effects. It is also a kind of samyogaj visha where, when two compounds/foods/drugs are given together, they will react to each other's properties, and it may form toxins and produce many diseases.

KEY WORDS:-   viruddhaahar, Amlapitta, Gara visha

Introduction

A unique subset of Ayurveda that has been practised for ages is 'Agad Tantra'. Agad tantra emphasises artificial toxins in addition to explaining natural toxins (Jangamavisha and Sthavara). One kind of Kritrimavisha (manufactured poison) that sheds light on the evolving lifestyle and potential for toxin exposure is Garavisha. Combining two or more poisonous or non-poisonous substances results in garavisha, which vitiates the body's doshas, dhatus, and srotas and has harmful repercussions. Garavisha is kind of samyogajvisha where when two compounds/ food/drug are given together, they will react to each other properties and it may form toxins and produces many diseases.²

Ayurveda mentioned 'ahara' in the three supporting pillars.³ Food has been extremely important since the Vedic period. According to Ayurveda, the unwholesome or harmful food is termed 'ahitaahara' or 'viruddahara'. The entire diet which vitiates the doshas but does not eliminate them out of the body becomes harmful and is known as Viruddhaahara.⁴ Viruddhaahara is one potent causative factor for several diseases, as it converts into garavisha.⁵ Charakacharya stated that antagonistic food or incompatible food is the cause of several diseases, including Amlapitta.⁶ Amlapittai is one of the diseases in the present era due to irregular eating habits and an undisciplined lifestyle.⁷ Virudhhaahara (incompatible food) is a very important concept of Ayurveda; ignoring it results in the manifestation of various diseases. People are least aware of toxins they are exposing themselves to in day-to-day life, so we haveto understand properly all the toxins which we are exposing unknowingly, as we know “prevention is better than cure”_.⁸

Discussion

This survey clearly proved that all of the patients were following nearly all 18 of the virudhas listed in the texts that were taken into account in this study. Among these virudhas, samyoga virudha constituted the major virudha, followed by 87% of all virudhas in the urban areas,

and was found to be Samskara virudha in 68% of urban areas, respectively. This explains why the majority of virudhas are observed as a result of improper combinations or cooking techniques that result in incompatibility.

Among the other virudhas, Agnivirudha was 59%, Dosavirudha was 26%, Kala virudha was 51%, Vidhi virudha was 24%, Pakavirudha was 50%, Sampad virudha was 32%, Desavirudha was 8%, Pariahara virudha was 67%, Hridayavirudha was 30%, Veerya virudha was 66%, Krama virudha was 26%, Upacharavirudha was 15%, Avsathavirudha was 39%, Matra virudha was 4%, Koshthavirudha was 23%, and Satmyavirudha was 21% in urban areas, respectively.

The data was analysed to elicit any relation between the effects of virudha ahara as garavisha in the manifestation of amlapitta. The results show that only two charakokta virudhhaahara factors, i.e., Desha virudha and Matra virudha, are not significant in this studied population, and the other 16 virudhaahara factors are significant in the studied population.

It is obvious from the data that there is a considerable relation between the virudhaharas and garavisha lakshana in urban locations, and that as the number of virudha increases, the likelihood of garavisha formation also increases. The cause for virudhaahara's widespread use may be attributed to carelessness or a lack of understanding of correct combinations and their beneficial and adverse effects. The above data is based on 100 diagnosed patients of amlapitta. It may vary if the study is conducted on the generalised population. As the result shows a connection between Virudha Ahara as garavisha in the manifestation of amlapitta.

Conclusion

Viruddha Ahara is a significant contributor to Amlapitta. A balanced diet should include ahara since it is essential for proper nutrition, helps the body digest and metabolise nutrients, and promotes a healthy lifestyle. Viruddha Dravyas remain antagonistic to the Dhatus, and Viruddhahara plays an important role in causing a number of diseases; hence, proper BhojanaVidhi and Annarakshana Vidhi have to be adopted. "AharaDravyas" do not act in a contradictory manner on their own, but they do so when Desha, Kala, Matra, Samskara, etc. are present. To avoid illnesses, everyone needs to be aware of the many Viruddha Aharas.

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