Abstract

GENETIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BASIS OF DISEASES: AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE

Dr. Gupta Shilpy* and Kumar Vijendra

Abstract

At the time of fertilization male and female gametes fuse to form the zygote and then embroyonic deveoplment takes place followed by fetal deveoplment. These gametes or its part responsible for production of particular body part of fetus, if get afflicted give rise to defective body part of that particular counter part in deveopling fetus. Genetic makeup and evironmetal influences determines phenotype of individual in physiological as well as pathological state both. Various regimens and code of conduct is mentioned in classical text of Ayurveda prior to conception, during pregnancy and even in reproductive life for attainment of best quality of gametes which later produces healthy progeny. Description of different charyas has been quoted to establish the relation between genetics and environmental condtion in causation of disease. These charyas are rajaswala charya (regimen to be followed by menstruating women), ritumaticharya (regimen to be followed by women during fertile period of menstrual cycle), atulyagotriya vivaha (avoiding marriage between close relaives), garbhadhana sanskar (regimen to be followed during impregnation), punsavan sanskar (act to achieve the best progeny), samanya garbhini paricharya (avoidance of gabhopghatkar bhava i.e., hazardous conducts, diet and drugs and adoption of garbhkara bhava opposite to garbhopghatkara bhava), vishishta garbhini paricharya (monthwise specific dietary regimen), and raksha vidhana (to prevent the neonate from grahaavesha i.e, invisible microbial infection).

Keywords: Genetic, Environmental, Ayurvedic, Diseases, Consanguinity, Garbhadhana.