Abstract

CONCEPT OF GENETICS IN AYURVEDA

Kumar Arvind* and Singh Vineeta

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Abstract

Ayurveda is accepted as an oldest written medical system and it came into existence at least three thousand years before Christ. Though the present understanding of human genetics owes much to the work of Gregor Mendel but the first scientific theme on genetics had been emphasized in ancient Indian literatures. Although the technical term Genetics does not feature in Ayurveda but the theme of genetics is vibrant repeatedly all classical text of Ayurveda especially in Samhitas. It is an outstanding contribution of Ayurveda on genetics is being described on the following heads i.e., concept of basic unit of genetics like Beeja –Beejabhag –Beejabhgavaya, concept of mutation, inheriting factors, concept of fertilization and sex determination, description of congenital diseases like Madhumeha, Arsha, Kustha etc. Prakriti and its clinical applications, therapy applied for Pumsavan kriya, how to prevent birth of a physically and mentally handicapped child. The review focuses on the various literary concept and clinical applications of genetics in Ayurveda.

Keywords: Beeja-Beejabhaag-Bheejbhagavaya, Genetics, Ayurveda.