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Dinacharya refers to the ideal daily regime of the person which can maintain his health and wellness. The daily routine explained by Ayurveda scholars includes diet as an integral part of it. The right time of having food is mentioned after having explained all the cleansing process right up to the bath. Thus most importantly food is to be taken only after the wastes generated from previous day's metabolism are removed, body is cleansed and good appetite is observed.  

Dinacharya refers to the ideal daily regime of the person which can maintain his health and wellness. The daily routine explained by Ayurveda scholars includes diet as an integral part of it. The right time of having food is mentioned after having explained all the cleansing process right up to the bath. Thus most importantly food is to be taken only after the wastes generated from previous day's metabolism are removed, body is cleansed and good appetite is observed.  

== Panchakarmas after ahara ==

== Ahara Parinamana Digestion and transformation of food ==

[[Panchakarmas (पञ्चकर्माणि)|Panchakarmas]] are the shodhana karmas (cleansing therapies) described in Ayurveda. They are used in specific dosha dominant illnesses where the basic dosha pacifying medicines wont prove effective enough to manage the illness. Also these procedures are implemented under medical supervision in specific health conditions in eligible individuals at appropriate time. There are stringent rules regarding their implementation. In almost all the panchakarmas and associates procedures, there are specific rules regarding ahara. Usually the chief panchakarmas are not done after the intake of food. Also there exists a specific diet plan which should be followed before and after panchakarmas. However, there exists one type of minor procedure under upakarmas (minor cleansing therapies) which is advised to be carried out after having food and it is known as Dhumapana. Dhumapana involves inhaling and exhaling the medicated smoke for cleansing excess kapha and vata accumulated in upper body. One of the type of it is Madhyama (moderate) Dhumapana. It is advised that one can take this kind of dhumapana after having food.<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 21 Sutra 6)</ref> There are other suitable times for dhumpana mentioned also.  

Parinamana means digestion and transformation. It is also called as Pachanam. Ahara taken by a person is processed by Agni (Jatharagni) located in koshta (equivalent to gastrointestinal tract or gut). After this process, the processed part is divided into 2 parts. One part is known as sara i.e. essence and the other part is known as kitta i.e. waste. The rasa dhatu formed after the digestion process is called as sara of Ahara. On the other hand, vit (feces) and mutram (Urine) are formed as kitta (wastes) of ahara according to the Ayurveda. Thus Rasa is known as sara while vit and mutra are known as kitta of ahara.<blockquote>विण्मूत्रमाहारमलः सारः प्रागीरितो रसः ॥ (Sush. Samh. 46.528)<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 46 Sutra 528)</ref> </blockquote>All this transformation of food occurs in 3 steps. These are the transient phases of food during digestion inside the koshtha (Gut). The entire process in discussed in depth in ayurveda treatises. At the end of 3 phases the digestion is supposed to be complete. In a nutshell, ahara after digestion becomes rasa dhatu which is then circulated all over the body and performs the function of nourishment. The wastes generated in formation of rasa dhatu are feces and urine which are excreted out of the body through proper channels. Agni plays the vital role in this entire process. Any disturbances in agni result in alteration in quality of rasa dhatu and wastes like vit and mutram. Changes in quality of these components lay foundation for development of any illness. Thus parinamana or pachanam of ahara has been given tremendous importance in Ayurveda.

== Ahara parinaman kala ==

=== Ahara parinaman kala ===

Ahara parinaman kala means the time required for complete digestion and transformation of the food. In Ashtanga Hrudayam , acharya Vagbhata has explained that there are varied opinions of scholars about this time. Few scholars suggest that the food is transformed completely in a ahoratra (24 hours/ 1 daytime+ 1 night-time) while some opine that it takes 6 days to get transformed. There are other scholars of opinion that the food gets transformed completely and reaches upto the last [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatu]] in the sequence i.e. [[Shukra Dhatu (शुक्र धातुः)|Shukra]] after a period of a month (28 days).<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 3 Sutra 65-66)</ref> Thus Ahara is transformed into Rasa dhatu in a period of a day while it takes a period of almost a week or a month to show its effect on the last Shukra dhatu. This knowledge is applied while deciding a timeline for treatment, diet and planning other treatment modalities.  

Ahara parinaman kala means the time required for complete digestion and transformation of the food. In Ashtanga Hrudayam , acharya Vagbhata has explained that there are varied opinions of scholars about this time. Few scholars suggest that the food is transformed completely in a ahoratra (24 hours/ 1 daytime+ 1 night-time) while some opine that it takes 6 days to get transformed. There are other scholars of opinion that the food gets transformed completely and reaches upto the last [[Dhatus (धातवः)|dhatu]] in the sequence i.e. [[Shukra Dhatu (शुक्र धातुः)|Shukra]] after a period of a month (28 days).<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sharirasthanam Adhyaya 3 Sutra 65-66)</ref> Thus Ahara is transformed into Rasa dhatu in a period of a day while it takes a period of almost a week or a month to show its effect on the last Shukra dhatu. This knowledge is applied while deciding a timeline for treatment, diet and planning other treatment modalities.  

== Ahara sara and mala ==

=== Factors that affect proper digestion of food ===

 

Ahara parinamana refers to the digestion of food and its transformation into rasa dhatu which then further provides nutrition to entire body. If the digestion and transformation of food is not proper, the undigested form of food in the rasa dhatu can cause multiple diseases. [[Aharparinamakara Bhavas (आहारपरिणामकराः भावाः)|Aharaparinamkara Bhavas]] are the factors responsible for transformation of food into bio-available nutrients which are capable of building and repairing body tissues. These factors are responsible for proper digestion of food so that most of the nutrients from that food required by body are absorbed and utilized. If function of any one of these factors is disturbed, the food undergoing the process of digestion is not processed well and instead of fulfilling the nutritional requirements of body, the improperly digested food becomes the cause for multiple ailments. Therefore Ayurveda lays high importance on well regulated functioning of all these food transforming factors to achieve health and well-being. <blockquote>आहारपरिणामकरास्त्विमे भावा भवन्ति| तद्यथा- ऊष्मा, वायुः, क्लेदः, स्नेहः, कालः, समयोगश्चेति  ||१४|| (Cha.Sha.6.14)</blockquote>Meaning: Factors responsible for transformation of the food are, Ushma (Heat), Vayu (Air), Kleda (Moisture), Sneha (oiliness or lubrication), Kala (time) and Samayoga (appropriate combination of all these factors for every individual).

 

 

=== Significance of proper digestion of food to obtain good health, strength and long life ===

 

Ahara taken by a person is processed by Agni (Jatharagni) located in koshta (equivalent to gastrointestinal tract or gut). After this process, the processed part is divided into 2 parts. On epart is known as sara i.e. essence and the other part is known as kitta i.e. waste. The rasa dhatu formed after the digestion process is called as sara of Ahara. On the other hand, vit (feces) and mutram (Urine) are formed as kitta (wastes) of ahara according to the Ayurveda. Thus Rasa is known as sara while vit and mutra are known as kitta of ahara. <blockquote>विण्मूत्रमाहारमलः सारः प्रागीरितो रसः ॥ (Sush. Samh. 46.528)<ref>Sushruta Samhita (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 46 Sutra 528)</ref> </blockquote>

तत्र मलभूतास्ते ये शरीरस्याबाधकराः स्युः| cha sha 6.17

== Ahara matra ==

== Ahara matra ==

In this way the food articles should be arranged and served on plate.  

In this way the food articles should be arranged and served on plate.  

== Factors that affect proper digestion of food ==

== Panchakarmas after ahara ==

[[Panchakarmas (पञ्चकर्माणि)|Panchakarmas]] are the shodhana karmas (cleansing therapies) described in Ayurveda. They are used in specific dosha dominant illnesses where the basic dosha pacifying medicines wont prove effective enough to manage the illness. Also these procedures are implemented under medical supervision in specific health conditions in eligible individuals at appropriate time. There are stringent rules regarding their implementation. In almost all the panchakarmas and associates procedures, there are specific rules regarding ahara. Usually the chief panchakarmas are not done after the intake of food. Also there exists a specific diet plan which should be followed before and after panchakarmas. However, there exists one type of minor procedure under upakarmas (minor cleansing therapies) which is advised to be carried out after having food and it is known as Dhumapana. Dhumapana involves inhaling and exhaling the medicated smoke for cleansing excess kapha and vata accumulated in upper body. One of the type of it is Madhyama (moderate) Dhumapana. It is advised that one can take this kind of dhumapana after having food.<ref>Ashtanga Hrudayam (Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 21 Sutra 6)</ref> There are other suitable times for dhumpana mentioned also.  

 

 

 

 

 

=== Aharaparinamakara bhava ===

Ahara parinamana refers to the digestion of food and its transformation into rasa dhatu which then further provides nutrition to entire body. If the digestion and transformation of food is not proper, the undigested form of food in the rasa dhatu can cause multiple diseases. [[Aharparinamakara Bhavas (आहारपरिणामकराः भावाः)|Aharaparinamkara Bhavas]] are the factors responsible for transformation of food into bio-available nutrients which are capable of building and repairing body tissues. These factors are responsible for proper digestion of food so that most of the nutrients from that food required by body are absorbed and utilized. If function of any one of these factors is disturbed, the food undergoing the process of digestion is not processed well and instead of fulfilling the nutritional requirements of body, the improperly digested food becomes the cause for multiple ailments. Therefore Ayurveda lays high importance on well regulated functioning of all these food transforming factors to achieve health and well-being. <blockquote>आहारपरिणामकरास्त्विमे भावा भवन्ति| तद्यथा- ऊष्मा, वायुः, क्लेदः, स्नेहः, कालः, समयोगश्चेति  ||१४|| (Cha.Sha.6.14)</blockquote>Meaning: Factors responsible for transformation of the food are, Ushma (Heat), Vayu (Air), Kleda (Moisture), Sneha (oiliness or lubrication), Kala (time) and Samayoga (appropriate combination of all these factors for every individual).

 

Ushma means heat is responsible for digestion, Vayu helps move the food forward in digestive system, kleda helps in loosening the bulk of food, sneha softens the food consumed, kala is required to complete this process and produce the desirable outcome from it, samayoga means appropriate combination of these factors helps to establish equilibrium in the formed Dhatus.

 

=== Significance of proper digestion of food to obtain good health, strength and long life ===

परिणमतस्त्वाहारस्य [१] गुणाः शरीरगुणभावमापद्यन्ते यथास्वमविरुद्धाः; विरुद्धाश्च विहन्युर्विहताश्च विरोधिभिः शरीरम्||१६|| (cha.Sha.6.16)

 

 

तत्र मलभूतास्ते ये शरीरस्याबाधकराः स्युः| cha sha 6.17

== Ahara as medicine ==

== Ahara as medicine ==