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Pathya (Samskrit : पथ्यम्) refers to the food regimen to be practiced for a healthy living directed by principles laid down in Ayurveda shashtra for samagra jivana vidhana (holistic lifestyle). Our science which stresses more on prevention rather than cure of diseases, obviously emphasizes on the ideal food to be consumed to attain and sustain good health. If consumed inappropriately food becomes the root cause of many diseases. So, proper knowledge about various foods and their importance should be known by all human beings to have a healthy life. Food itself is said to be Mahabheshaja (महाभेषजम् । great drug) by Acharya Kashyapa.  

Pathya (Samskrit : पथ्यम्) refers to the food regimen to be practiced for a healthy living directed by principles laid down in Ayurveda shashtra for samagra jivana vidhana (holistic lifestyle). Our science which stresses more on prevention rather than cure of diseases, obviously emphasizes on the ideal food to be consumed to attain and sustain good health. If consumed inappropriately food becomes the root cause of many diseases. So, proper knowledge about various foods and their importance should be known by all human beings to have a healthy life. Food itself is said to be Mahabheshaja (महाभेषजम्। great drug) by Acharya Kashyapa.  

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine has been making a healthy resurgence over the last few decades. This holistic ancient science has two objectives, viz., to maintain the health of healthy person, and to treat the sick person. As a holistic health practice, Ayurveda seeks to maintain a balance between a person's physical, mental and spiritual aspects. When this balance is disturbed the person gets afflicted with diseases and health disorders.

Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine has been making a healthy resurgence over the last few decades. This holistic ancient science has two objectives, viz., to maintain the health of healthy person, and to treat the sick person. As a holistic health practice, Ayurveda seeks to maintain a balance between a person's physical, mental and adhyatmik aspects. When this balance is disturbed the person gets afflicted with diseases and health disorders.

In spite of recent advancements of science, in this world, man is unable to sail himself in the boat of happy, healthy and prosperous life. Our deep rooted traditions and customs have loosened their hold with the emergence of globalization. It has left back its footprints at every sphere of life. Changed life style, increased population and moreover world of machines has created unlimited desires in human mind on the one hand, while on the other hand, it has originated anxiety, anger, hostility and grief directly or indirectly leading to many diseases. When we analyze this rich culture with the globalization point of view, we can find many punch holes of westernization and mixing of other traits and cultures into our beautifully woven ayurvedic blanket. As a result, “Health is spent to gain some Wealth, afterwards they would like to share their wealth with you to regain their Health” which is not always possible.

In spite of recent advancements of science, in this world, man is unable to sail himself in the boat of happy, healthy and prosperous life. Our deep rooted traditions and customs have loosened their hold with the emergence of globalization. It has left back its footprints at every sphere of life. Changed life style, increased population and moreover world of machines has created unlimited desires in human mind on the one hand, while on the other hand, it has originated anxiety, anger, hostility and grief directly or indirectly leading to many diseases. When we analyze this rich culture with the globalization point of view, we can find many punch holes of westernization and mixing of other traits and cultures into our beautifully woven ayurvedic blanket. As a result, “Health is spent to gain some Wealth, afterwards they would like to share their wealth with you to regain their Health” which is not always possible.

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

In M. Monier-Williams:"पथ्य"=Belonging to Way-Suitable Fit-Proper Wholesome.

Apte defines पथ्य as wholesome diet, suitable, fit, proper. Shabdakalpadruma explains it as चिकित्सादौ हित-कारकम् meaning useful in treatment. <blockquote>पथ्यं-पथो अनपेतं यध्यच्चोक्तं मनसःप्रियम॥ [च.सू.२५/४५]</blockquote><blockquote>pathyaṁ pathō'napētaṁ yadyaccōktaṁ manasaḥ priyam|</blockquote>Meaning: The dietary articles and activities that do not adversely affect the body systems and are liked by the mind are regarded as ''pathya'' (wholesome).

पथ्यं-पथो अनपेतं यध्यच्चोक्तं मनसःप्रियम॥ -[च.सू.२५/४५]

The root term for Pathya is ‘Patha’ which means various channels in the body & ‘Anapetam’ means not causing any harm to the human body and mind. So, any food which is not harmful for body channels and on the contrary which is wholesome - soothing for body can be labelled as Pathya. Which is basic but most important concept in Ayurveda which seems to be practical and must be practiced clinically in today’s era.

The root term for Pathya is ‘Patha’ which means various channels in the body & ‘Anapetam’ means not causing any harm to the human body and mind. So, any food which is not harmful for body channels and on the contrary which is wholesome - soothing for body can be labelled as Pathya- Which is basic but most important concept in Ayurveda which seems to be practical and must be practiced clinically in today’s era.

== Pathya ==

Art and science of preparing and dispensing food as medicine in the practice of healing is Pathya. “Nidan parivarjan=Treatment” which means removal of cause by Pathya-Apathya regarding disease is considered as first step towards treatment.  

== Regulation of Food Intake ==

It is possible if one uses diet considering the tridosa, prakriti, satmya of person as well as panchabhautika penta composition of dietary substances. It covers all the nutritive values as it provides healthy food having all the six tastes thus help in maintaining the Panchabhautika (penta elemental) constitution of body along with mind. The equilibrium of these five elements in the body denotes health while their imbalance or disturbance denotes disease. Panchabhautik Chikitsa is a branch of Ayurveda which bases the analysis and treatment based upon this principle. It is also quoted that “No amount of medication can do any good to patient who does not observe Pathya, likewise no amount of medication is needed to a patient if he follows Pathya". {{Citation needed|reason=reliable source needed for the whole sentence}}

It is also quoted that “No amount of medication can do any good to patient who does not observe Pathya, likewise no amount of medication is needed to a patient if he follows Pathya”. Pathya used in Panchakarma to boost the fatigued Annavaha Srotas and Purishavaha Srotas to regain the healthy stage from weakened one (happened during purification).

* Pathya used in Panchakarma to boost the fatigued Annavaha Srotas (digestive system) and Purishavaha Srotas (excretory system) to regain the healthy stage from weakened one.

* Pathya helps the patients maintain their dhatus (basic elements) in a healthy state preventing fluctuations due to doshas.

* Pathya in healthy individuals allows them to stay fit, and in the patients it is prescribed to keep their channels in a healthy stage.

What is Pathya to one person may not be Pathya to another person. Even it changes in the same person depending upon various components like –Age-psychological status etc. So considering and elaborating the diet plan need a lot of attention from the physician.

An important step in the preparation of Pathya is Samskara. It involves the processing of raw food to a suitable form (cooked etc) to alter its properties and make it suitable for acceptance inside the patients body. Pathya prescribed to one person may not be the same for another person. It changes in individuals also depending upon various components (Age-season, disease, psychological status, habits, dominance of doshas). Sometimes the change in a process changes the properties to a completely opposite nature.

‘in healthy individuals’=to let them stay fit,

So incorporation of “Pathya” makes our food healthy and pleasurable with accomplishing basic objective of Ayurveda. It stresses Ayurveda’s approach that the digestive capability of the patients is equally important to that of the properties of the drugs. Acharya Sushruta has dealt with four major preparations of Pathya{{Citation needed|reason=reliable source needed for the whole sentence}}

‘to the patients =to keep their channels in a healthy stage.

=== Apathya ===

There are many foods mentioned many centuries ago in Ayurveda which require patenting as a part food therapeutics. All these food recipes are even though practiced by the practitioners, the ideal methodology is still obscure, it remains one of the baffling enigmas for dietetics.

So incorporation of “Pathya” makes our food healthy and pleasurable with accomplishing basic objective of Ayurveda. It stresses Ayurveda’s approach that the digestive capability of the patients is equally important to that of the properties of the drugs. It covers all the nutritive values as it provides healthy food having all the six tastes thus help in maintaining the penta elemental body along with mind. “Art and science of preparing and dispensing food as medicine in the practice of healing” is Pathya.

Ayurveda is based on the principle "Let your food be your medicine and not to make medicine be your food." Ayurveda emphasizes much more on diet, regimen which is beneficial to the body and gives the happiness to the mind. Any eating habits known to produce results harmful to the body is known as Apathya. '''(Add a proper sloka and explanation of it for Apathya). Vaidya Lolimbraj in his book "Vaidya-jeevanam" has given a very important principal regarding pathya-apathya'''

 

'''Pathye Sati Gadartasya Kimaushadh Nishevanaihi \\'''<blockquote>यच्चाप्रियमपथ्यं च नियतं तन्न लक्षयेत्||४५||</blockquote><blockquote>yaccāpriyamapathyaṁ ca niyataṁ tanna lakṣayēt||45||</blockquote>Meaning: Likewise, dietary articles and activities that adversely affect the body system and are disliked by the mind are regarded as unwholesome.  

 

=== Pathya and Apathya Foods ===

The following table describes different foods and their suitability for Pathya. Their names according to Ayurveda and english references are given for easy understanding. {{Citation needed|reason=reliable source needed for the whole sentence}}

{| class="wikitable"

{| class="wikitable"

|''Varga''

!''Varga''

|''Pathya''

!''Pathya''

|''Apathya''

!''Apathya''

|-

|-

|''ShukaDhanya''

|''ShukaDhanya''

|

|

|}

|}

1.Regimen of Winter Seasoni

Pathya kalpana is suggested both for use in Dinacharya (daily routine) and as Rutucharya (6 seasonal routines). Rutucharya constitutes the general Pathya regimen to be followed during different seasons and is briefly described below. However, these are guidelines and should be followed based on the constitution (vata, pitta, khapha) while the things to be avoided are to be as per the consultation of the physician.<ref name=":0">Bhagawat, Bhalchandra Krishnaji. (1987) Ph. D Thesis Titled : [http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/146045 Patya apatya vichar in ayurveda.] Savitribai Phule Pune University. See Chapter 11 Comparision of the old ( Ayurvedic ) and modern behaviour - Daily and Seasonal for Pathya Regimens</ref>

Take the unctuous, sour, salty juices of meat of aquatic and marshy which are fatty.

Hemanta rutu is the time between October to December. In this rutu the atmosphere is cold, the days are chilly, nights are longer than the days. To prevent heat loss of the body, the blood vessals get constricted and so the internal body heat increases. This results in increase in appetite, digestion and thereby the strength and power of the body. As the nights are longer, persons get hungry early in the morning.  

Avoid vata vitiating food.

* Avoid vata vitiating food. For example : The meat of burrow-dwelling animals and bhrushta prepared of animals of prasaha.

* Fomentations of jentaka process may be applied as required.

The meat of burrow-dwelling animals and bhrushta prepared of animals of prasaha.

Shishira rutu corresponds to the cold winter time of January and February months. Climate is similar to that of Hemanta rutu with an important difference being 'rooksha (dryness)' guna increases greatly due to cold. Vata and Kapha doshas increase during this time. One must follow a regimen similar to that of the winter regimen with a few additions

* Avoid taking foods possessed of tikta (bitter) rasa, kashaya (astringent) , laghu (small diet) and cold diets.

One should not expose himself to cold wave.

Charming due to natural beauty this season has great attraction corresponding to the months of March and April. Air is clean, sunshine is ample causing the melting of 'kapha' dosha which has increased during hemanta rutu. This causes decrease in appetite and poor digestive power (Agni-mandya). At the advent of spring one should habitually resort to exercise, unction, smoking and gargling.<ref name=":0" />

Drink madira, sidhu, honey.

* Cereals such as barley and old wheat, jowar, pulses, meat of goat, and chicken (sharabha, shasha, ena lava and kapinjala).

* Consume plenty of honey, Katu, tikta and Kashaya rasas are accepted freely.

* Hard work and gymnastics is prescribed. Normal sexual activity.  

Underfeeding and intake of gruel are also to be avoided.

Hottest season of the year, corresponds to May and June months, the sun is nearer to the earth, the rays are sharp and hot. Loss of water due to sweat, energy and power. Kapha dosha decreases and vata dosha increases. The atmosphere is dry, stagnant. <ref name=":0" />

Take preparations of cow milk, cane juice, fat, oil, new rice, hit water.

* Cereals, pulses, a number of vegetables, all watery fruits (water melons, kharbhooj, mangoes, bananas, aamlaki, lemons etc).

* Curds, milk, buttermilk and ghee are to be consumed.

* Honey, go-mutra, madhura (sweet), drava (liquidy) and laghu quality of food is to be taken.

* Avoid Lavana, Amla and Katu rasas in food.

* Bathing with cold water and swimming, after bath application of lepa (paste) of chandana, agaru, udshira (vetiver) and other cool substances.

* One decorated with pearls should be comfortably seated on a chair enjoying fans and the touch of tender hand.

Massage, application of oil on the head.

Rainy season starts with the onset of monsoons corresponding to the months of July and August. Due to rains, water bodies are full and muddy. Greenery everywhere, the atmosphere is damp and cool. Agni mandya is seen even during this season with an increase in vata dosha due to sheeta guna. The new rain water is muddy and cool and is 'Amla vipaki' which is responsible for accumulation of Pitta dosha. Diseases are more during this season and hence there is an absolute necessity of keeping the Agni normal at any cost.<ref name=":0" />

Fomentations of jentaka process.

* Meats of goat, sheep, rabbits and fish without or little spices. Soups to be preferred.

* Exercise, indulgence in sexual intercourse should be minimal.

Wear heavy and warm clothes.

During the Sharad rutu, the sun is very hot during the day and nights are cooler and skies are clearer. Pitta dosha which is high in Varsha rutu is provoked by the hot and penetrating sun leading to a further Pitta prakopa (increase). Agni mandya is also seen. With the winds of damp nature increasing the vata vyadhi, one should use sweet, astringent and bitter rasas in diet.

Excessive sexual intercourse during winter.

* Avoid excessive exercise, higher sexual activity is advised.  

2.Regimen of Dewy Season

Most of the health problems develop due to the faulty eating habits, regimen. Ayurveda deals with the pathya in a very scientific way.  

Similar to winter

      ‘'''We are what we eat’''' is the well known fact which clearly indicates the importance of food in every aspect of our health. Everyone is conscious about what should eat and what should not. But beyond this, there is another factor which also affects the health is '''‘how we eat’'''. The method of eating also makes a huge effect on the body. All Ayurvedic samhitas explain the scientific methods regarding how to eat. In charaka samhita, He explains the ahara vidhi vidhan (Cha.Vi.1/24) which gives the guideline about how to eat

Avoid taking the cold, light diet and drinks.

'''Ushna(hot)-'''In the era of preserved and packed food, One should always eat fresh and completely cooked,hot food.Ushna guna increases the jatharagni by samanya-vishesh nyay(A.H.Su 1/14).It helps in opening of strotasa(channels) which accelerates the process of digestion and absorption. Hot and fresh food will maintain the gati and function of vaat and destroys the excessive kapha in the strotasas, as it reduces sheeta guna.

Cold caused by the cloud, wind, and rains prevail.

'''Snigdha'''-Every meal should contain snigdha guna.Snigdha guna is one of the important guna required for maintaining the agni.In our daily practice,we all use oil or ghee in order to maintain the bonfire, Similarly the snigdha guna helps in the digestion. This snigdha guna lubricates strotasas.Lubriation plays an important role in maintaining the strength to body parts and empowers all indriyas too. Gati of the vaat dosha is easily get maintained in the lubricated body and thus it prevents the provocation of vaat (Cha.Su.12/7).

Avoid taking are possessed of pungent, bitter and astringent taste.

'''Matra(Quantity)-''' Quantity of food differs from person to person and it also differs as prakruti,rutu,disease,mental stress,profession etc.The quantity also depend on the food.This  food which is heavy to digest should be taken half of the appetite while the light  food should be taken as per your appetite. In this contest our acharya given a guideline which says that one should divide his stomach into 4 parts

3.Regimen of Spring Season

In those parts 2 parts should be filled with the solid food and 1 part should be filled with fluid and the remaining 1 should keep empty for the doshas to perform their function(A.H.Su.8/46).so basically one should consciously observe their appetite and eat slight less than his actual appetite.

At the advent of spring one should habitually resort to exercise, unction, smoking and gargling.

One should always eat only when the '''previous meal is''' '''completely get digested'''. Now days, we eat according to our convenient and not according to convenience of the body. You can assess whether the previous meal is digested or not by following symptoms (A.H.Su-8/55, Yogratnakar).

During the night, after having besmeared the body with chandan paste, one should sleep on the open airy roof of the house which is cooled by the ray of moon.

Once you feel these symptoms then only u can have the next meal.

One should either drink alcohol in little quantity or should not drink at all and even if one drinks, he should drink along with plenty of water.

'''Veerya-Aviruddha-''' Veerya is the most important characteristic of the dravya through which it works. All dravyas are divided into 2 groups according to Veerya i.e. Ushna and sheeta. One should not eat the food containing dravyas of opposite veerya.Sanskaar (process on the ingredient in order to make a food) plays important role in order to bring them together without having any harmful effects. This will cause effects which are similar to virrudha ahara.

During day time one should sleep in an air-cooled place.

One should always eat food at '''proper, clean place and''' '''utensils too'''. This inhibits the contamination of the food by dust or insects. Ayurvedic samhitas also mention utensils from various metals, leaves in which particular food should be taken (Yogratnakar-nitya pravrutti prakar-116)

Avoid taking diets which are salty, sour, pungent or hot.

One should neither eat '''slowly nor fast'''. Eating should be conscious process. One should only focus on what he is eating and enjoy every bite of the food.

One decorated with pearls should be comfortably seated on a chair enjoying fans and the touch of tender hand.

              Rapid eating will cause nausea and discomfort in the abdomen which hampers the process of digestion. And slow eating will delay the process of digestion and also it does not satisfy appetite.

Avoid exercise.

One should not '''speak/laugh/check there phone while''' '''having the meal'''. It will distract the mind too. One should always treat food just like god as it is maintaining our life cycle so one should pray that the food he is eating became the most useful for his/her body and mind too.

5.Regimen of Rainy Season

Along with that samhitas also give the order of the food according to guna and rasa (taste) of food (A.H.Su-8/45)

One should generally use honey in preparing diets, drinks and other.

·     One should eat '''heavy, sweet, solid''' food in the '''beginning''' of the meal.

Avoid the taking mantha diluted in excess.

·     '''Light,bitter,liquid''' food should be taken at the '''end''' of the meal

Take such of diets as are conspicuously sour, salty and unctuous.

·     '''Salty and sour''' items should taken '''in between.'''

In Short we can summarise the dos and don’ts while eating as follow-

 

 

 

|Fresh, Hot food

It is advisable to rub the body, apply unction, take bath and wear fragrant garlands during the season.

 

 

|Laughing/crying/speaking/watching phone or T.V.  

|-

 

In this season sweet, light, cold and bitter foods and drinks which have potentialities to alleviate pitta.

|Eating before the previous food is digested

 

 

|-

 

Vasa, Tail, Meat of aquatic and marshy land animals.

 

Intake of ghee prepared with bitter medicines, purgation and bloodletting.

These are some basic rules and regulations that one should follow while eating the food

 

 

 

 

 

imbalance or disturbance denotes disease. Panchabhautik Chikitsa is a branch of Ay-

 

urveda which bases the analysis and treatment based upon this principle.

 

There are many foods mentioned many centuries ago in Ayurveda require patenting as a part food therapeutics

 

All these food recipes are even though practiced by the practitioners, ideal methodology is still obscure, it remains one of the baffling enigmas for dietetics.

 

 

 

Vaidya Lolimbraj in his book "Vaidya-jeevanam" has given a very important principal regarding pathya-apathya

 

 

Ayurveda has holistic, scientific approach in health management. It emphasizes much more on diet, regimen which is beneficial to the body and gives the happiness to the mind = Pathya and opposite to that is known as Apathya.

 

Most of the health problems develop due to the faulty eating habits, regimen. Ayurveda deals with the pathya in a very scientific way. The planning of diet mentioned in our classical literature is very rational and based on certain principles. Lot of importance is given to the diet with regard to its processing, quality, quantity and so on. Due consideration is given to the atmosphere, psychological condition, status of health, digestion etc. of the person while dealing with this issue. The diet should also be planned according to the age, season, habitat and the preference of the person. Proper use of diet not only prevents the diseases but plays major role in the management of the diseases. As said,

 

Pathya regimen wherever discussed in detail Ayurveda, dietetics, etc. plays an important role in prevention as well as cure of different diseases and acquire sufficient wealth to mankind.

These are some basic rules and regulations that one should follow while eating the food.

== References ==

== References ==

1. Charaka samhita. Commentary by Chakrapanidatta. Hindi commentary by kashinath shastry. 8th Edition. Varanasi:Chaukambha Sanskrit Samsthana;2004.

<references />1. Charaka samhita. Commentary by Chakrapanidatta. Hindi commentary by kashinath shastry. 8th Edition. Varanasi:Chaukambha Sanskrit Samsthana;2004.

2. Acharya Kashyapa. Kashyapa samhita.Edited by P.V.Tewari.1st Edition. Varanasi: Chaukambha Vishwabharati;1996.

2. Acharya Kashyapa. Kashyapa samhita.Edited by P.V.Tewari.1st Edition. Varanasi: Chaukambha Vishwabharati;1996.