Concept of Airborne Infectious Disease in Ayurveda

Abstract

Life of any living thing starts with the breath and ends with breathlessness. Health is defined as a state of equilibrium of normal functions of Dosha, Dhatu, and Agni with body, mind and soul. Health has not given importance until someone becomes sick. Due to intake of improper diet, lack of exercise, stress, & global warming, pollution the health status of an individual is decreasing day by day & they are getting easily prone to infectious disease. It comes with significant challenges & creating a burden over medical & health care system. Ayurveda is an ancient science which has already described such communicable disease with their causes, mode of transmission, prevention as well as treatment. Charak has explained about Janapadodhwansa & its four reasons (Air, water, time, and region). Sushruta has already mentioned Aupsargikarogas that are infectious diseases. By adopting Ayurvedic measures such as following proper Dincharaya, Rutucharya, Sadvritta, Panchakarma, Shaman Cikitsa & Rasayana, both physical and mental health, can be maintained. This review has been done by compiling information from classic Ayurvedic texts – Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Astanga Hirdaya. Apart from this, modern books, journals & websites on preventive & social medicine were also searched for this study. After extensive search, specific causative factors, pathology, symptoms & various treatment regime has been narrated in scattered form by our Ancient Acharyas. The different Ayurvedic Samhitas serves as a source of getting knowledge about the airborne disease and ways to prevent it and cure it. By using these basic principles in this ancient science in a rational way, we can avoid & overcome many clinical conditions described in contemporary science which has its self-limitations in treatment modalities.