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=== Introduction ===

=== Introduction ===

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Food is the most important source to achieve health and disease according to Ayurveda, and is even considered as a source of life as well as diseases. Wholesome diet is considered not just to be nourishing, but also to be therapeutic. It has also been given importance in other vedic texts. For instance, Maharshi Kashyapa considered food as ''mahabheshaja'' (great medicine) (Ka.S.Khil-4/5-6). However, there are some differences between ''ahara'' (food) and ''bheshaja'' (medicine) - the former is ''rasa pradhana'' (taste-centric) while the latter is ''veerya pradhana'' (potency centric).   

Food is the most important source to achieve health and disease according to [[Ayurveda]], and is even considered as a source of life as well as diseases. Wholesome diet is considered not just to be nourishing, but also to be therapeutic. It has also been given importance in other vedic texts. For instance, Maharshi Kashyapa considered food as ''mahabheshaja'' (great medicine) (Ka.S.Khil-4/5-6). However, there are some differences between ''ahara'' (food) and ''bheshaja'' (medicine) - the former is ''rasa pradhana'' (taste-centric) while the latter is ''veerya pradhana'' (potency centric).   

The etymological meaning of ''ahara'' (food) is to collect (''ahiyate'') for the nutritional purpose of the body. ''Ahara'' is a generic term that can mean ''anna'' (literally, cereals, but also mean solid food) and ''pana'' (beverages or anything drinkable). ''Ahara'' can be classified into twelve categories and should be balanced, consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, salts, water, vitamins and essential micronutrients available from ''shashtika'' (rice), ''shali'' paddy, ''mudga'' (pulses), ''ghrita'' (clarified butter), ''saindhava lavana'' (rock salt), ''antariksha'' (rain water), ''amalaki'' (Indian gooseberry), ''madhu'' (honey) and ''payas'' (milk). According to Ayurveda, balanced diet besides nourishing the body, maintains the equilibrium of ''doshas, dhatus'' and ''malas''.  

The etymological meaning of ''ahara'' (food) is to collect (''ahiyate'') for the nutritional purpose of the body. ''Ahara'' is a generic term that can mean ''anna'' (literally, cereals, but also mean solid food) and ''pana'' (beverages or anything drinkable). ''Ahara'' can be classified into twelve categories and should be balanced, consisting of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, salts, water, vitamins and essential micronutrients available from ''shashtika'' (rice), ''shali'' paddy, ''mudga'' (pulses), ''ghrita'' (clarified butter), ''saindhava lavana'' (rock salt), ''antariksha'' (rain water), ''amalaki'' (Indian gooseberry), ''madhu'' (honey) and ''payas'' (milk). According to [[Ayurveda]], balanced diet besides nourishing the body, maintains the equilibrium of ''doshas, dhatus'' and ''malas''.  

There are many substances in ''shaka varga'' (greens or green vegetables) that are used as diet and  medicine, like ''kakamachi'' (Solanum nigrum Linn.), ''patha'' (Cissampelos pareira Linn.), ''shatishaka'' (Hedychium spicaticum Buch-Ham), ''changeri'' (Oxalis corniculata Linn.), ''shakuladani'' (Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth.), ''vrishapushpa'' (Adhatoda vasika Nees), ''gojihva'' (Launea asplenifolia Hook.f.), ''tilaparnika'' (Gynandropsis gynanndra Linn.), ''prapunnada'' (Cassia tora Linn.), ''triparni'' (Adiantum lunulatum Burm.), ''parpatakam'' (Fumaria vaillantti Loisel) etc.

There are many substances in ''shaka varga'' (greens or green vegetables) that are used as diet and  medicine, like ''kakamachi'' (Solanum nigrum Linn.), ''patha'' (Cissampelos pareira Linn.), ''shatishaka'' (Hedychium spicaticum Buch-Ham), ''changeri'' (Oxalis corniculata Linn.), ''shakuladani'' (Picrorhiza kurroa Royle ex Benth.), ''vrishapushpa'' (Adhatoda vasika Nees), ''gojihva'' (Launea asplenifolia Hook.f.), ''tilaparnika'' (Gynandropsis gynanndra Linn.), ''prapunnada'' (Cassia tora Linn.), ''triparni'' (Adiantum lunulatum Burm.), ''parpatakam'' (Fumaria vaillantti Loisel) etc.

''Chayam'' (tea):

''Chayam'' (tea):

In the modern society tea is one of the most common beverage. It has pungent ''rasa'', hot in potency, constipating and stimulant. In the text ''Ayurvedavijshana'' it is mentioned as ''shyamaparni'', and in ''shaligrama nighantu'', it is called ''chaya''.

In the modern society tea is one of the most common beverage. It has pungent ''rasa'', hot in potency, constipating and stimulant. In the text ''[[Ayurveda]]vijshana'' it is mentioned as ''shyamaparni'', and in ''shaligrama nighantu'', it is called ''chaya''.

''Kapha'' (coffee):

''Kapha'' (coffee):