Recent approaches of Ayurveda for karshya: A review

Recent approaches of Ayurveda for

International Archives of Integrated Medicine, Vol.

Copy right © 2015, IAIM, All Rights Reserved.

Review Article


1Dept. of Kaumarbhritya, Govt. Ayurved College, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India

2Dept. of Shalakya Tantra, Govt. Ayurvedic College, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India

*Corresponding author email:

How to cite this article: Lokesh, Nisha

2015; 2(1): 141-144.

Available online at

Received on: 31-12-2014

Abstract

Ayurveda believe that many health problems can be prevented through nutritious diet. Food is

important as a nutritional source also having much therapeutic importance. Lack of sufficient food

intake leads conditions like nutritional deficiency termed as Ma

developing country like India, malnutrition is the major cause of deaths during childhood period.

Karshya is disease described in Ayurveda anciently and disease such as

Balashosha, and Shuska Revati

Karshya. It is the conditions responsible for many other health related problems thus a great

consideration must be required to overcome this global health related crisis

the Ayurvedic consideration of Karshya

Key words

Malnutrition, Karshya, Aahara, Balashosha.

Introduction

Karshya is a condition which involves insufficient

supply of nutrient in any stage of ages. Growing

children are most vulnerable to its

consequences. The nutritional requirements of

growing children are more since their energy

requirements is high due to the fas

growth in early age. Food (Aahara

Recent approaches of Ayurveda for karshya

International Archives of Integrated Medicine, Vol. 2, Issue 1, January, 2015.

, IAIM, All Rights Reserved.


A review

Lokesh1*

, Nisha2

Dept. of Kaumarbhritya, Govt. Ayurved College, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India

Dept. of Shalakya Tantra, Govt. Ayurvedic College, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India

*Corresponding author email: [email protected]

Lokesh, Nisha. Recent approaches of Ayurveda for karshya

Available online at www.iaimjournal.com

2014 Accepted on:



intake leads conditions like nutritional deficiency termed as Malnutrition (


is disease described in Ayurveda anciently and disease such as Parigarbhika

Shuska Revati describe by various author of Ayurveda can also be co

is the conditions responsible for many other health related problems thus a great

consideration must be required to overcome this global health related crisis. This article highlights

Karshya.

Balashosha.

is a condition which involves insufficient

supply of nutrient in any stage of ages. Growing

children are most vulnerable to its

consequences. The nutritional requirements of

growing children are more since their energy

requirements is high due to the fast tissue

Aahara) is one of the

three sub-pillars of life as per Ayurveda. Indian

traditional medicine has incorporated various

explanations regarding this vital pillar of life. The

Aahara converted into nutrition through process

of Agni and these all makes building blocks of

growing body. There are many nutritional

requirements described in ancient text including

supplements related to carbohydrates and

protein. The supply of these nutrients when

becomes less than their requiremen

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Page 141

Recent approaches of Ayurveda for karshya:

Dept. of Kaumarbhritya, Govt. Ayurved College, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India

Dept. of Shalakya Tantra, Govt. Ayurvedic College, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India

karshya: A review. IAIM,

Accepted on: 05-01-2015



lnutrition (Karshya). In the


Parigarbhika, Phakka,

be by various author of Ayurveda can also be co-related to

is the conditions responsible for many other health related problems thus a great

. This article highlights

pillars of life as per Ayurveda. Indian

traditional medicine has incorporated various

explanations regarding this vital pillar of life. The

converted into nutrition through process

and these all makes building blocks of

growing body. There are many nutritional

requirements described in ancient text including

supplements related to carbohydrates and

protein. The supply of these nutrients when

becomes less than their requirements then




malnutrition (Karshya) may occurs. Recently

World Health Organization (W.H.O.

attentions towards the problem since

malnutrition may have some severe

consequences like; mental and physical

weakness, weight loss, retardation of tissue

growth and fatigue as per Chart

discusses some Ayurvedic consideration of

Karshya towards the needful requirements of

prevention rather than treatment

Approaches as per Ayurveda for

• Counseling

• Liver boosting

• Nutritional supplements

Counseling

The first line of treatment of Karshya

educative counseling of peoples of area where

the chances and incidents of malnutrition are

common. Adequate and balance diet are

suggested by various ayurvedic text for growing

age children. In our classics, the properties of

Aahara are described in the term of

Virya and Vipaka of the food material. It

considers each and every food material (

enrich of these properties play an important role

for proper development of body especially in

early ages; simultaneously ayurveda also

prescribed the therapeutics importance of

various Aahara i.e. supply of nutritional diet to

prevent malnutrition instead of treatment. Thus

counseling is primary approach to overcome

malnutrition.

Liver boosting

In many cases of malnutrition may occur due the

poor absorption and digestion; this function

mainly depends on liver activity thus poor liver

functioning may cause conditions like

malnutrition. Liver also incorporated with the




) may occurs. Recently

W.H.O.) pays great

attentions towards the problem since

malnutrition may have some severe

consequences like; mental and physical

weakness, weight loss, retardation of tissue

Chart - 1. This article

discusses some Ayurvedic consideration of

towards the needful requirements of

prevention rather than treatment [1, 2, 3, 4].

Approaches as per Ayurveda for Karshya

upplements through herbs

Karshya involves

educative counseling of peoples of area where

the chances and incidents of malnutrition are

common. Adequate and balance diet are

edic text for growing

the properties of

described in the term of Rasa, Guna,

of the food material. It

considers each and every food material (Aahara)

enrich of these properties play an important role

for proper development of body especially in

early ages; simultaneously ayurveda also

prescribed the therapeutics importance of

supply of nutritional diet to

ad of treatment. Thus

is primary approach to overcome

In many cases of malnutrition may occur due the

poor absorption and digestion; this function

mainly depends on liver activity thus poor liver

functioning may cause conditions like

malnutrition. Liver also incorporated with the

metabolism of carbohydrate, f

Excretion and detoxification of drugs and other

toxins also proceed by liver. Thus liver boosting

impacts normal human growth and retard

chances of malnutrition which may occur due to

the poor digestion.

Liver boosting can be done are as

Ayurvedic herbs:

� Chicory Seed (Cichorium intybus

Traditionally used for hepatic conditions

and liver rejuvenation.

� Spreading Hog Weed whole p

(Boerhaavia diffusa

for hepatic disorders and for poor

digestions of food.

� Phylanthus Aerial p

niruri): The fresh root is tr

given in jaundice and a

liver for rejuvenating from

� Hellebore root (Picrorhiz

traditionally in Ayurveda for centuries as

a general liver tonic.

� Trailing Eclipta leaf and r

alba): Traditionally used as a cholagogue

(aids bile secretion) and deobstruent

(removes functional obstructions in the

body) in hepatic enlargement [5

Nutritional supplements through

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera)

Seeds of lotus (Nelumbo nucifera

medicinally versatile and used as an important

raw material in folk medicine. Tender rhizomes,

stems and leaves of lotus are edible and its

seeds are rich in protein as well as minerals.

Nelumbo nucifera belongs to the family of

Nelumbonaceae, which has several common

names (e.g. Indian lotus, Chinese water lilly and

sacred lotus) and synonyms (

nelumbo, N. speciosa, N. speciosum

Nymphaea nelumbo). Rhizomes consist of 1.7%

protein, 0.1% fat, 9.7% carbohydrate, seeds

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Page 142

metabolism of carbohydrate, fat and protein.

Excretion and detoxification of drugs and other

toxins also proceed by liver. Thus liver boosting

impacts normal human growth and retard

chances of malnutrition which may occur due to

Liver boosting can be done are as follows using

Cichorium intybus):

Traditionally used for hepatic conditions

and liver rejuvenation.

Spreading Hog Weed whole plant

Boerhaavia diffusa): Traditionally used

for hepatic disorders and for poor

Phylanthus Aerial parts (Phyllanthus

The fresh root is traditionally

given in jaundice and also used to boost

liver for rejuvenating from Karshya.

Picrorhiza kurroa): Used

traditionally in Ayurveda for centuries as

a general liver tonic.

leaf and root (Eclipta

Traditionally used as a cholagogue

(aids bile secretion) and deobstruent

(removes functional obstructions in the

tic enlargement [5, 6, 7].

utritional supplements through herbs

Nelumbo nucifera) are edible,

medicinally versatile and used as an important

raw material in folk medicine. Tender rhizomes,

stems and leaves of lotus are edible and its

seeds are rich in protein as well as minerals.

belongs to the family of

, which has several common

names (e.g. Indian lotus, Chinese water lilly and

sacred lotus) and synonyms (Nelumbium

N. speciosum and

). Rhizomes consist of 1.7%

protein, 0.1% fat, 9.7% carbohydrate, seeds




possess saponins, phenolics and carbohydrates

in appreciable quantities also contains protein,

carbohydrate, 2.7% energy 348.45 cal/100 g,

chromium (0.0042%), sodium (1%), potassium

(28.5%), calcium (22.1%), magnesium (9.2%),

copper (0.0463%), zinc , etc. Thus in the c

malnutrition lotus rhizomes and seeds can be

used as remedy constituents to supply deficient

nutrient especially protein [8].

Vidarikanda ( Pueraria tuberosa)

It belongs to the family of Papilionatae

commonly known as Swadukanda, Ikshugandha,

Gajavajipriya, Kandapalash, Bhumikushmanda,

Bilaikanda, Surala, Patalkohara

plant contains carbohydrates

fibres 28.4%, crude proteins 10.9%, isoflavone

(glycoside-4’, 6’’- diacetyl

polyphenol, gluconic acid, malic ac

pterocarpan, tuberosin. It poses Brimhaniya,

Balya, Rasayana, Jivaniya, Vatahara Karma and

hence commonly used in Daurbalya, Kshaya,

Shosha [9, 10].

Bala (Sida)

The plant belongs to the genus known in

Ayurved by the general name Bala

Bala are mentioned in our classics as

bala, Mahabala, Atibala, Rajabala

the different species of Sida

astringent, tonic. It is placed under

Brimhana, Madhura skandha, Prajasthapana

Vata Samshamana Gana. The root of Bala

contains cellulose 84.32%, lignin 14.70%, fat

and wax 1.16%, nitrogen 0.227% & ash 1.37%.

It poses Balakrita, Kantitrita, Ojovardhaka,

Vrishya, Rasayana karma and hence commonly

used in Kshaya, Sarva- Vatavikara

Conclusion

Malnutrition (Karshya) is a major problem

globally. This problem is mainly related with

routine intake of nutritional supplements




ns, phenolics and carbohydrates

in appreciable quantities also contains protein,

carbohydrate, 2.7% energy 348.45 cal/100 g,

chromium (0.0042%), sodium (1%), potassium

(28.5%), calcium (22.1%), magnesium (9.2%),

copper (0.0463%), zinc , etc. Thus in the case of

malnutrition lotus rhizomes and seeds can be

used as remedy constituents to supply deficient

darikanda ( Pueraria tuberosa)

Papilionatae and

Swadukanda, Ikshugandha,

Gajavajipriya, Kandapalash, Bhumikushmanda,

Bilaikanda, Surala, Patalkohara. Tuber of this

85.1%, crude

fibres 28.4%, crude proteins 10.9%, isoflavone

diacetyl- puerarin),

polyphenol, gluconic acid, malic acid,

poses Brimhaniya,

Balya, Rasayana, Jivaniya, Vatahara Karma and

Daurbalya, Kshaya,

to the genus known in

Bala. Five kinds of

are mentioned in our classics as Bala, Nag

bala, Mahabala, Atibala, Rajabala. The root of

the different species of Sida acts as cooling,

gent, tonic. It is placed under Balya,

ra skandha, Prajasthapana

. The root of Bala

e 84.32%, lignin 14.70%, fat

wax 1.16%, nitrogen 0.227% & ash 1.37%.

Balakrita, Kantitrita, Ojovardhaka,

and hence commonly

Vatavikara etc. [11, 12].

) is a major problem

. This problem is mainly related with

routine intake of nutritional supplements

through food. Ayurveda suggest balance intake

of Aahara to fulfill the various nutritional

requirements of body (like protein and

carbohydrates) which are essential for proper

growth & development of children in early age

There are many herbs described in traditional

ayurvedic text as nutritional herbs to boost the

nutritional deficiency. Counseling regarding

nutritional diet & its proper intake is a primary

line of treatment of malnutrition.

References

1. Caraka Samhita of Agnivesa, Revised by

Caraka and Drdhabal with elaborated

vidyotini Hindi commentary by P

Kasinatha and

Gorakhanatha, edited by Pt. Rajeswara

Datta Sastri, Chaukhambha

Academy, Varanasi, Reprint; 2007. Part

II, p. 452-453.

2. Rao VG, Yadav R, Dolla CK, Kumar S,

Bhondeley, Ukey M. Under

childhood morbidities among tribal

preschool children. Indian J

2005; 122: 43-47.

3. Sharma PV. Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita.

Reprint edition.

Chaukhamba Orientalia Varanasi

,Sutrasthana, 11/35,

4. Pravin Masram, KS Pat

Rajagopala S. Review o

(Nutritional Disorder i

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Physiology. 4th

edition

Wm. C. Brown Publishers; 1993.

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Krause’s Food, Nutrition, and Diet

Therapy. 9th

edition

Saunders, Company; 1996.

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ISSN: 2394-0034 (O)

Page 143

through food. Ayurveda suggest balance intake

the various nutritional

requirements of body (like protein and

carbohydrates) which are essential for proper

growth & development of children in early age.

There are many herbs described in traditional

ayurvedic text as nutritional herbs to boost the

itional deficiency. Counseling regarding

nutritional diet & its proper intake is a primary

line of treatment of malnutrition.

Caraka Samhita of Agnivesa, Revised by

Caraka and Drdhabal with elaborated

mmentary by Pt. Sastri

Kasinatha and Chaturvedi

Gorakhanatha, edited by Pt. Rajeswara

Datta Sastri, Chaukhambha Bharti

Academy, Varanasi, Reprint; 2007. Part

Rao VG, Yadav R, Dolla CK, Kumar S,

Bhondeley, Ukey M. Under nutrition and

childhood morbidities among tribal

preschool children. Indian J Med Res.,

a PV. Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita.

2011, part 1,

Orientalia Varanasi

11/35, p. 75.

KS Patel, VK Kori,

Review on Karshya

(Nutritional Disorder in Ayurveda)

Pharma Science Monitor,

223.

Fox SI. The Digestive System. In: Human

ition. Dubuque (IA):

Wm. C. Brown Publishers; 1993.

Stump S. Nutritional

Care in Diseases of the, Liver, Biliary

System, and Exocrine Pancreas. In:

Krause’s Food, Nutrition, and Diet

ition. Philadelphia: W.B.

Saunders, Company; 1996.




7. Vaidya AB, Antarkar DS, Doshi JC, et al.

Picrorhiza kurroa (kutaki), Royle ex

Benth as hepatoprotective agent

experimental and clinical, studies.

Postgrad Med, 1996; 42:

8. K.R. Sridhar, Rajeev Bhat.

potential nutraceutical source.

of Agricultural Technology, 2007; 3: 144

155.

9. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia Part

Volume 2, p. 173.

Source of support: Nil

Chart – 1: Consequences of Karshya

Weakness




Vaidya AB, Antarkar DS, Doshi JC, et al.

(kutaki), Royle ex

Benth as hepatoprotective agent–

experimental and clinical, studies. J

1996; 42: 105-08.

K.R. Sridhar, Rajeev Bhat. Lotus – A

potential nutraceutical source. Journal

of Agricultural Technology, 2007; 3: 144-

c Pharmacopeia Part-I,

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11. Wealth of India, Volume

12. William Dymock, C.J.H. Warden, David

Hooper. Pharmacographia Indica.

London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner &

Co., p. 206-207.

Nil Conflict of interest:

Karshya.

KARSHYA

Mental Problems

Fatigue

Weight Loss

Weakness

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Page 144

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India.

I, Volume 2, 1st

edition, 2008, p.

Volume – 10, p. 360.

C.J.H. Warden, David

Hooper. Pharmacographia Indica.

: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner &

Conflict of interest: None declared.

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Recent approaches of Ayurveda for karshya: A review