Har Ghar Ayurveda Ahara
Har Ghar Swasthya
Har Ghar Udhyan
Har Ghar Santhi
Har Ghar Rasayana
Ayurveda, a science with a history of more than 5000 years, is not a mere medical science. The very aim of Ayurveda is not only to treat the disease but also to promote health status. This preventive aspect of Ayurveda is rather the age-old tradition which was in practice during the period of the sages and scholars who penned down the Ayurveda literature. Their observations and experiences about what promote health and what precipitates a disease is the background for the description of practices of Swasthavrutta by the Acharyas. By focusing on the healthpromotive aspects, the medical expenditure including direct and indirect costs can be minimized which may be directed towards the development of the nation. Imbibing the principles of Ayurveda in the day-to-day life of every household can meet this purpose.
ACHIEVING HAR GHAR AYURVED
The three supportive pillars as mentioned in Ayurveda, viz, Aahaaram (Diet), Nidra (Sleep), and Brahmacharyam (lifestyle activities) are the most exploited entities in the current scenario. No doubt the disease statistics are flaring all around!!! Junk foods, improper timings of eating, unhealthy food preparation methods, irregular sleep patterns, night outs, addictions, and other mental stressors are a part and parcel of the society today.
- Har Ghar Ayurveda Ahaara
According to Ayurveda, the human body is created from food, so also disease.
“Aahaarasambhavam vastu, rogaascha
aahaarasambhavam” (Charaka Samhita)
That is why so much emphasis had been laid down on the dietetic principles in Ayurveda discussing at large from the selection of ingredients to the post-drinks. Educating the mass about the dietary guidelines related to niyta sevaneeya and varjya aahaara, pathya apathyas of common lifestyle diseases, ashta aahaara vidhi visheshaayatanam, aahaara vidhi vidhaanam, anupaanam etc can reduce the burden of metabolic disorders. Adopting a nutritious diet and healthy eating habits can contribute greatly towards improving the immunity, thereby, cutting down the incidence of infectious diseases.
- Har Ghar Swaasthya
Practices of Dinacharya must be trained in schools to inculcate such healthy regimes from childhood itself. Children can be an instrument of reaching out with such Dinacharya practices to each household. The practices of dantadhaavanam, anjanam, nasya, dhumapaanam, gandusham, abhyangam, udwarthanam, and snaanam will promotenot only personal hygiene but also ensure a good immune status. Further, adopting such safe and effective modes of cosmetics can help prevent the eyes and skinrelated irritations and disorders due to the use of chemical-based cosmetics. Further, Yoga must be propagated as a mode of vyaayaamam because it helps in improving not only physical but also mental health. It has the proven ability to minimize stress and improve the quality of life. Yoga also has an impact on psychoneurological immunity.
Similarly, the concept of Ritucarya- the need to modify diet and regimens according to season must be communicated to the common public. Also, the concept of Ritusodhanam, the purification of the body at least once in a year based on individual sareera prakruthy must be advised to minimize the onset of diseases particularly the lifestyle diseases.
This can be achieved by rigorous IEC activities through PHC programs.
Apart from diet, irregular sleep patterns are the main reason for hormonal imbalances affecting health. The importance of healthy sleep must be educated to the parents by the School Medical Officers so that the “early to bed, early to rise” training can be given right from childhood.
- Har Ghar Udyaan
The practice of kitchen gardens must be promoted. Along with vegetables, the propagation of common herbs which have proven single drug actions on common ailments must be focused like tulasi, ajamoda, pipplai, maricha, haridra, satavari, etc. This can be achieved by implementing projects collaborating with AYUSH and Agricultural universities.
- Har Ghar Santhi
Stress is an inevitable part of day-to-day life today. However, when the stress is not adequately addressed it can lead to psychological disorders and addictions. The principles of Sadvruttam explained in Ayurveda can train an individual to handle stressful situations. Ayurveda Mental Health Clinics must be promoted under PHC with specialist ayurveda psychologists to impart such life skill training based on Sadvruttam.
- Har Ghar Rasayanam
However healthy the diet and lifestyle be, the exposure to the environmental risk factors will expose to diseases. The only solution is to build up individual immunity. For this the general awareness about the Vaata aatapika mode of Rasaayanam must be propagated.
Further, the vulnerable age groups must be especially considered like the children, pregnant ladies, and geriatric groups. Special diet and care for these categories as advised in Ayurveda must be made available to every nook and corner of the society. So also, the methods of fumigation of households with formulations like Aparaajita dhumam etc. can effectively improve the quality of air.
CONCLUSION
Ayurveda is a storehouse of health promotion and disease preventive measures which when routinely followed can minimize the vulnerability to diseases. Spreading the message of AYURVEDA to every common man by active involvement of Ayurveda experts in PHC and CHC can work wonders. Beside the steps by the government, every ayurveda medical institution, in public as well as private sector, must pledge to involve in community-based programs as mentioned above by adopting a village or a community.
