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=== Introduction ===

=== Introduction ===

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A wholesome diet is essential for good health and prevention of disease. Considering the importance of quantity of diet, this tetrad dealing with health commences with this chapter. Two topics are explained here: - the concept of proper quantity of diet and the details of daily regimen. Charaka dedicated an entire tetrad (''Annapana chatushkam'') for explaining dietetics later in this section of [[Sutra Sthana]]. Important aspects of food have also been dealt with in the first and the second chapters of [[Vimana Sthana]]. Diet is the only factor which is responsible for normal health as well as disease[ ]. How and what food should be taken is assessed by eight factors. These factors are collectively designated as ''aharavidhiviseshayatana''[ ]( considerations for diet and dietary habits).  

A wholesome diet is essential for good health and prevention of disease. Considering the importance of quantity of diet, this tetrad dealing with health commences with this chapter. Two topics are explained here: - the concept of proper quantity of diet and the details of daily regimen. Charak dedicated an entire tetrad (''Annapana chatushkam'') for explaining dietetics later in this section of [[Sutra Sthana]]. Important aspects of food have also been dealt with in the first and the second chapters of [[Vimana Sthana]]. Diet is the only factor which is responsible for normal health as well as disease[ ]. How and what food should be taken is assessed by eight factors. These factors are collectively designated as ''aharavidhiviseshayatana''[ ]( considerations for diet and dietary habits).  

In relation to food, the present chapter explains the ideal quantity of food articles and determination of measurement of food articles with reference to their heaviness and lightness. Such food articles whose habitual use is recommended and/or prohibited include eye-salves, herbal cigar smoking, and three varieties of medicated cigars. The chapter also enumerates the advantages of herbal smoking, frequency and time of smoking, dosage, proper method, details about preparation of smoking pipe, complications, its remedies and contra-indications. The benefits of ''nasya'' (nasal drug administration), their procedures, types, time of administration, and methods are explained.  The details of tooth-cleaning twig, properties and use of different twigs, the list of mouthwash liquids and their benefits, and advantages of oil gargling are mentioned for oral health. The benefits of applying oil on the head, applying oil into the ears, anointing the feet, body-massage, bath, wearing clean clothes, perfumes and jewel-ornaments, ablutions, clipping and trimming of hair, wearing footwear, and to carry umbrella and staff are described in this chapter.

In relation to food, the present chapter explains the ideal quantity of food articles and determination of measurement of food articles with reference to their heaviness and lightness. Such food articles whose habitual use is recommended and/or prohibited include eye-salves, herbal cigar smoking, and three varieties of medicated cigars. The chapter also enumerates the advantages of herbal smoking, frequency and time of smoking, dosage, proper method, details about preparation of smoking pipe, complications, its remedies and contra-indications. The benefits of ''nasya'' (nasal drug administration), their procedures, types, time of administration, and methods are explained.  The details of tooth-cleaning twig, properties and use of different twigs, the list of mouthwash liquids and their benefits, and advantages of oil gargling are mentioned for oral health. The benefits of applying oil on the head, applying oil into the ears, anointing the feet, body-massage, bath, wearing clean clothes, perfumes and jewel-ornaments, ablutions, clipping and trimming of hair, wearing footwear, and to carry umbrella and staff are described in this chapter.

=== ''Vidhi vimarsha'' ===

=== ''Vidhi vimarsha'' ===

The proper quantity and quality of diet is not uniform for all the individuals. It varies from person to person, because, it depends primarily on the digestive power of an individual which in turn is influenced by the strength of ''agni''. The strength of ''agni'' varies according to age, sex, season etc. In the same person diurnal and seasonal variations occur. The diurnal variations are minimal, but seasonal variations are significant. So, Charaka has described the seasonal diets and regimen in the next chapter named ''Tasyasitiyam'' ([[Tasyashiteeya Adhyaya]]). One can prevent diseases due to seasonal variations (''parinamajanya vyadhi'') by adhering to the instructions given in this chapter.   

The proper quantity and quality of diet is not uniform for all the individuals. It varies from person to person, because, it depends primarily on the digestive power of an individual which in turn is influenced by the strength of ''agni''. The strength of ''agni'' varies according to age, sex, season etc. In the same person diurnal and seasonal variations occur. The diurnal variations are minimal, but seasonal variations are significant. So, Charak has described the seasonal diets and regimen in the next chapter named ''Tasyasitiyam'' ([[Tasyashiteeya Adhyaya]]). One can prevent diseases due to seasonal variations (''parinamajanya vyadhi'') by adhering to the instructions given in this chapter.   

Dried meat and vegetables (and lotus roots) are not advisable for all while meat for lean and thin persons are contraindicated. Curdled milk, pork, beef, buffalo meat, fish, curd, black gram, and small barley should not be used regularly. ''Shashtika'' rice, ''shali'' rice, ''moong'', ''saindhav'' salt, ''amalaki'', rain water, milk, ghee and honey, etc should be taken regularly.

Dried meat and vegetables (and lotus roots) are not advisable for all while meat for lean and thin persons are contraindicated. Curdled milk, pork, beef, buffalo meat, fish, curd, black gram, and small barley should not be used regularly. ''Shashtika'' rice, ''shali'' rice, ''moong'', ''saindhav'' salt, ''amalaki'', rain water, milk, ghee and honey, etc should be taken regularly.

In the morning, after evacuation of the bowels and cleaning, start with eye salve, ''nasya'' (oil or medicated drops instillation in nose), teeth cleaning, tongue scraping, mouth fresheners such as clove, betel, ''jaiphala'', cardamom etc., keeping oil in mouth for few minutes, shaving, massaging head, body and feet with oil, oil in ears, rubbing medicated powder on body before bathing, wearing clean clothes and ornaments (jewelry, etc.), shoes and using cane or umbrella before going out are recommended.

In the morning, after evacuation of the bowels and cleaning, start with eye salve, ''nasya'' (oil or medicated drops instillation in nose), teeth cleaning, tongue scraping, mouth fresheners such as clove, betel, ''jaiphala'', cardamom etc., keeping oil in mouth for few minutes, shaving, massaging head, body and feet with oil, oil in ears, rubbing medicated powder on body before bathing, wearing clean clothes and ornaments (jewelry, etc.), shoes and using cane or umbrella before going out are recommended.

Charaka has concluded by saying that ''sukhayu'' (happy and healthy life) is achieved by taking care of the body just as a competent town administrator would take care of his city.

Charak has concluded by saying that ''sukhayu'' (happy and healthy life) is achieved by taking care of the body just as a competent town administrator would take care of his city.

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