Gramya Ahara (ग्राम्य आहारः)

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Gramya Ahara is a special category of such dietary habits and food stuffs, that adversely and directly affect one's strength, immunity, health and well-being. Ayurveda scholars were able to identify those dietary factors as well as lifestyle components which when consumed and practiced over time, can lead to all types of illnesses due to their direct effect of Dhatus (vital body tissues). such dietary factors are known as Gramya Ahara while such lifestyle factors are called as Gramya vihara. Ayurveda acharyas have advised each and every individual to refrain from such practices if one wants to achieve the best possible life.

परिचयः ॥ Introduction

Gramya Ahara refers to such dietary factors which are responsible for making individual prone to diseases and reduce one’s fitness as well as wellness. This specific term ‘Gramya’ has been used in association with diet as well as lifestyle factors that produce the similar effect on one’s life. This concept has been described while describing Rasayana treatment in Ayurveda. Thus, it implies the specific dietary and lifestyle components in individual’s life which necessitate use of Rasayanas in order to bring back the natural state of equilibrium of life forces and strength of physical body.

व्युत्पत्तिः ॥ Etymology

Gramya is the term derived from root word Grama. In ancient times Grama was considered as the civilized domestic part of area where people started residing in a group to form community in order to achieve the stability of life. Today, the term 'Grama' also refers to village.

Ahara denotes Food

Vihara refers to all types of activities other than diet which form the part of one's lifestyle.

Thus, when the term Gramya is used in conjunction with Ahara and Vihara, it suggests the specific type of diet and lifestyle that is prevalent or found predominantly in individuals residing in Grama. Domestic food and lifestyle is another alternative term used to explain Gramya ahara and vihara.

Significance of Gramya Ahara and Gramya vihara

These factors play important role as causative agents in making one’s life weak on the front of energy, strength, vigor, vitality and other wellness parameters. Diet and lifestyle of this type render Dhatus weak and fragile which are the building blocks of the body, thus reducing immunity and increasing the chances of easy capture of various diseases.

Acharya Charaka has made a clear statement that, any type of ill health can be rooted in use of Gramya ahara and vihara.

सर्वे शरीरदोषा भवन्ति ग्राम्याहारात्। (Char. Samh. 1.2.3)

sarve śarīradoṣā bhavanti grāmyāhārāt।

Meaning: Gramya Ahara can be responsible for all types of detrimental effects in body.

Gramya Ahara (List of unwholesome diet)

After highlighting its significance and serious nature Ayurveda samhitas have described properties and examples of food stuffs that are included under the category of Gramya Ahara. Listed following are such food stuffs and practices that are considered to be Gramya aharas according to Acharya Charaka,

1. Food stuffs that are sour, salty, pungent and highly alkaline in nature.
2. Dried vegetables
3. Dried meat
4. Sesame paste
5. Preparations of (rice) flour, processed food
6. Germinated (sprouted) or fresh, awned or leguminous cereals,
7. Incompatible,
8. Unsuitable,
9. Dry and rough in attributes,
10. Excessively Alkaline in nature
11. Regular and excessive intake of substances having peculiar channel blocking substances (e.g Curd, pickles)
12. Putrefied or decomposed during processing or at the time of consumption
13. Substances that are heavy
14. Staled food items
15. Indulging in irregular diet or over-eating while the previous food is undigested

Lifestyle factors included under Gramya Vihara

Acharya Charaka has also stated the lifestyle factors that can cause similar damage as Gramya ahara in one's body, making one prone to various diseases and low in life energies.

1. Daytime sleep
2. Overindulgence in women and alcohol (One should abide by the rules and follow the guidelines given regarding how, what, when, where and when of carnal pleasures and use of alcohol described in Ayurveda)
3. Performing irregular and excessive physical exercise causing agitation in the body,
4. Loss of control over emotions of fear, anger, grief, greed, indecisiveness and
5. Indulging in activities leading to over exhaustion

Effects of Gramya Ahara and Gramya Vihara

Gramya Ahara and vihara i.e this type of unhealthy dietary and lifestyle factors are believed to vitiate almost all the Dhatus (Body tissues) required to achieve optimum health and wellness. Once vitiated by external factors these tissues become liable for further damage, degeneration and become host for vriety of diseases owing to their poor immunity. In this phase such individual may complain of variety of symptoms that are commonly observed these days.

• Experiences general feeling of Malaise and lassitude
• Feeling of constant Fatigue and depressed mood
• Untimely and excessive sleepiness, sluggishness and lethargy
• lack of enthusiasm
• Expresses incapacity of physical activities and also finds oneself unable to perform activities that involve mental strength
• Complains of memory loss
• Intellectual weakness
• loss of luster
• Easily gets tired
• Becomes prone to various diseases due to lack of immunity

Thus, ultimately such individual can not enjoy the normal life with health, well-being and satisfaction. Those individuals who resort to such unhealthy practices can not achieve the maximum life span with fulfillment of life goals.