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Anupana is the exclusive concept from pharmacology and dietetics in Ayurveda. The term anupana refers to adjuvant or vehicle or carrier or a drug/food. It is usually a liquid which is given just after or along with some drug/food. Ahara anupana thus refers to the adjuvant of a food article which is deliberately introduced in order to get maximum benefits from that food and reduce its unwanted effects on one's health.  

Anupana is the exclusive concept from pharmacology and dietetics in Ayurveda. The term anupana refers to adjuvant or vehicle or carrier or a drug/food. It is usually a liquid which is given just after or along with some drug/food. Ahara anupana thus refers to the adjuvant of a food article which is deliberately introduced in order to get maximum benefits from that food and reduce its unwanted effects on one's health.  

In charaka Samhita, the right anupana of ahara is said to be opposite in properties of that food. Such anupana is believed to increase energy levels, nourishment and strength in body after taking that food. It helps in proper digestion and transformation of that food in one's body so that one can get maximum benefits from it. <ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 27 Sutra 319-26)</ref> Subsequently it helps to fulfill the nutritional requirements of the body through the particular diet.   

In charaka Samhita, the right anupana of ahara is said to be opposite in properties of that food but at the same time it should not be opposite (incompatible) to the [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatus]]. Such anupana is believed to increase energy levels, provide nourishment and strength in body on taking that food. It helps in proper digestion and transformation of that food in one's body so that one can get maximum benefits from it. <ref>Charaka Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 27 Sutra 319-26)</ref> Subsequently it helps to fulfill the nutritional requirements of the body through the particular diet.   

अनुपानं हितं युक्तं तर्पयत्याशु मानवम्|

अनुपानं हितं युक्तं तर्पयत्याशु मानवम्|

सुखं पचति चाहारमायुषे च बलाय च||३२६||

सुखं पचति चाहारमायुषे च बलाय च||३२६||

Meaning: The right anupana of ahara energizes the person. It helps in smooth digestion of the food taken and ultimately increases strength and longevity.

Meaning: The right anupana of ahara energizes the person. It helps in smooth digestion of the food and ultimately increases strength and longevity.

 

Few examples of aharanupana are given in the classical literature. Selection of these anupanas are based on the properties of that food, the health condition or desired health effect for that person etc. For vata dominant conditions and food, anupana that is snigdha (unctuous) and ushna (hot) in properties is chosen. Various types of fermented preparations made from herbs can prove to be good choice of anupana. However this is to be started under the guidance a qualified [[Vaidya (वैद्यः)|Vaidya]] in order to avoid untoward side effects.  

== Aharashakti ==

== Aharashakti ==

आहारशक्तितश्चेति आहारशक्तिरभ्यवहरणशक्त्या जरणशक्तया च परीक्ष्या; बलायुषी ह्याहारायत्ते||१२०|| cha vi 8.120

Ayurveda believes that, Bala (Strength) and Ayu (longevity) of a person are dependent on one's ahara. Therefore assessing one's food (intake) capacity could be a good criterion to assess one's strength and longevity as well. Thus, assessment of this parameter is one part of clinical examination of a patient which a Ayurveda practitioner performs.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutra 94)</ref> It is believed that, not just the food intake capacity but also the capacity to digest the consumed food is also equally important to get rough idea of one's strength and longevity.<ref>Charaka Samhita (Vimanasthanam Adhyaya 8 sutra 120)</ref> Ayurveda gives high importance to the digestion and transformation of ingested food and therefore is is considered as the integral part of examination of a patient.

 

To assess level of balam of an individual it is one of the parameters/assessment criteria

 

== Metal for vessel to store specific aharadravyas ==

== Metal for vessel to store specific aharadravyas ==