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ANVESHANA
AYURVEDA MEDICAL JOURNAL
Review Article
ISSN: 2395-4159
ROLE OF AHARA AND VIHARA IN PRENATAL CARE: AN
AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE
Singh Neelam Kumari1, Sengar Alok Singh2
1
Clinical Registrar of Stree Roga &Prasuti Tantra,
CBP Ayurved Charak Sansthan, New Delhi, India
2
Lecturer of Samhita, Sidhant & Sanskrit, Govt. Ayurved College, Varanasi (UP), India
Corresponding Author: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Good care during pregnancy is important for the health of the mother and the
development of the unborn baby. Systematic supervision (examination and advice) of a woman
during pregnancy is called antenatal care. According to Ayurvedic perspective garbhini
paricharya refers to antenatal care which recommends ahara (specific dietary regimen), vihara
(normal daily activities) and modification in psychological behavior. In this article garbhini
paricharya has been discussed in stepwise manner regarding nutritional supplementation to
meet increased calorie requirement of pregnant women and behavioral alterations to enhance
spiritual and mental status. Proper antenatal care during pregnancy reduces the complication
for both mother and fetus.
Key words: Garbhini, Pregnancy, Antenatal care, Garbhini Paricharya, Ahara, Vihara
INTRODUCTION
Antenatal care is the planned
examination, observation and guidance
given to the pregnant women from
conception till the time of labour to reduce
the maternal and perinatal mortality and
morbitity rates and to improve the physical
and mental health of women and children.1
Ayurveda has given great emphasis on
garbhini paricharya (prenatal care) which has
dual goal of easy parturition and healthy
progeny. There is specific food regimen
prescribed for pregnant women throughout
nine months. The diet during pregnancy
should be adequate to provide the needs of
the growing fetus, the maintenance of
maternal health, the strength and vitality
required during labour and for successful
lactation.2, 3
Month wise dietary regimen for pregnant
woman:
Dietary regimen described by different
ancient texts has been compiled in table 1: 4, 5,
6, 7
Dietary regimen in first trimester:
The most important event during 1st
trimester is embryogenesis.8 The vata dosha
is responsible for cell division during
embryogenesis.9 Most women experience
nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite during
this period. So madhura, sheeta, dravapraya
ahara (sweet, cold and liquid diet) are
advised.10 These foods is easy to digest, agni
deepak (appetizers), prevents dehydration
and supply required optimum nourishment.
Neelam and Alok: Role of Ahara and Vihara in Prenatal Care
Milk is one of the best one among them as
milk is vatapittashamak and kaphavardhak.11
Milk is natural source of folic acid and it is
also a good source of carbohydrate, fat,
proteins (almost all amino acids), calcium,
minerals and enzyme which is essential for
fetal and mother nourishment.12 Milk is
prithvi and jala mahabhuta predominant
which helps in moistening and shaping of an
embryo.13
At 3rd month Acharya Charaka
advised honey and ghee. Honey is the rich
source of fructose sugar, which is the rich
source of energy. Ghee and honey also
provides immunity. During this period
organogenesis occurs and most of the tissue
and organs of the body are formed.14 This
period is very much crucial; hence no drugs
should be given during this period because
drugs disturb the organogenesis and may
lead to teratogenecity. Acharya Kashyapa has
explained that fetus is not stable before 4th
months, so no medicine should be given.15
Dietary regimen in second trimester:
According to Ayurveda rakta and
mansa dhatu development mostly occurs in
second trimester.16 Fetal growth in second
trimester occurs by cellular hyperplasia and
cellular hypertrophy.17 Milk, butter, ghritha
and Jangala mansa rasa (meat) are advised
during this period. Because most protein
should be supplied from these items and
they furnish amino acids in optimal
combinations. Jangala mansa (meat) is the
excellent source of proteins, vitamins, fat,
minerals (iron and other minerals) and
source of a range of endogenous
antioxidants.
It also supplies good amount of
calories.18 The high protein contents of meat
helps in musculature tissue formation of the
fetus and iron, B complex vitamins helps in
blood formation. In the 6th month ghee or
yavagu prepared with gokshura are advised.19
As gokshura (Tribulus terestris) have diuretic
AAMJ / Vol. 1 / Issue 2 / Mar – Apr 2015
and nephroprotective properties which in
turns reduces the pedal oedema.20
Dietary regimen in third trimester:
In the 7th month ghrita medicated
with prithakparnyadi (vidarigandhadi) group
are advised to the garbhini.21 These group of
drugs having a diuretic, anti-inflammatory,
balya, brihana (anabolic), vata and pitta dosha
pacifying properties.22, 23 Snigdha yavagu gives
strength to the body, nourishes the body
tissue and pacifies the vata dosha.24 Most
women
experience
constipation
in
pregnancy due to pressure of gravid uterus
over the bowel and effect of progesterone.
Aasthapana basti (administration of drugs
through anus) cleared the retained faces and
is responsible for anuloman gati of apana vayu.
This is followed by anuvasana basti which
helps vata to move in right direction. Thus
facilitates the easy delivery without
complication. Vaginal tampooning with oil
provides lubricative, antibacterial and
ripening properties.
Contraindicated diet for pregnant woman:
Consumption of excessive heavy, hot and
pungent substance like wine,25 vishtambhi
food (hard to digest).26
Normal vihara (Lifestyle) for pregnant
woman:
Woman should remain in high spirit,
pious, decorated with ornaments, wear clean
white garments and perform religious rites,
do auspicious deeds and worship deity,
brahmanas and priest. Her sitting or sleeping
place should be covered with soft cushion or
mattress, not be very high, possess elevated
upper portion for head rest and should be
perfect and very comfortable.27 The husband
and other family members are advised to
take care of the pregnant woman diet and
encourage those activities that are dear to
her and beneficial to the fetus.28 The living
place of garbhini should be fumigated and
spiritual atmosphere should be maintained
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Neelam and Alok: Role of Ahara and Vihara in Prenatal Care
by performing daily worships vedic hymns
and holy songs.29
Contraindicated vihara (Lifestyle) for
pregnant woman:
Excessive coitus, exercise such as
carrying of heavy weight, squatting position,
abnormal
sitting
posture,
obnoxious
garments, peeping in a well or pit, sleeping
in supine position etc.30 vehicle ride, misdeed
by indriya.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
In pregnancy there is increase in
calorie requirement by 300 Kcal/day. In
garbhini paricharya the concept behind using
food
articles
having
madhura
rasa
predominance might be helpful in meeting
with increased calorie needs during
pregnancy. After going through garbhini
paricharya suggested by various acharya it is
observed that use of milk and madhura drug
Table 1: Dietary regimen described by different ancient texts
Sushruta
Vagbhata
Months
Charaka
1st
Sheeta ksheera and
satmya bhojana
2nd
Madhura aushadhi
sidhha ksheera
Madhu sarpi sidhha
ksheera
3rd
4th
Ksheera and ten
gram navaneeta
5th
Ksheera and ghrita
6th
7th
8th
9
th
has been advised in each month. Madhura
rasa is congenial since birth, excellent for
formation of dhatus, vata shamaka and
anabolic in nature which help in
maintenance of proper health of mother and
growth and development of the fetus.31 Milk
is a whole diet, it is also congenial, increases
intellectual level (medhya), strength (bala)
and lactogenic.32 Iodine is found in milk and
dairy product which is essential for
producing hormones made by thyroid gland
which has direct effect on development of
fetal brain.33 Ayurveda considers food to be
the best source of nourishment as well as
medicine for the pregnant woman. The
month wise dietary regimen is unique to
Ayurveda. It changes in accordance with
fetus in the womb and at the same time
ensure health of the mother. Thus the
approach towards pregnancy is a holistic
one.
Madhura aushadhi
sidhha ksheera and
sarpi
Madhura aushadhi
sidhha ksheera and
sarpi
Madhura, sheeta, drava ahara
Madhura, sheeta, drava ahara
Madhura, sheeta, drava ahara
Shastika odana with dadhi and
dugdha navneeta sidhha jangal
mansayukta hridya anna
Shastika odana with dugdha,
Ksheera sarpi yukta jangal
mansayukta hridya anna
Shwadanshtra (Tribulus
terestris) sidhha sarpi or
yavagu
Vidarigandhadi sidhha sarpi
Ksheerayavagu and
sarpi
Aasthapana basti followed by
anuvasana basti
Madhura aushadhi
sidhha taila
anuvasana and
yonipichu
Snigdha yavagu and jangal
mansarasa till delivery
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Upsanskrita ksheera
Madhura aushadhi
sidhha ksheera
Madhu sarpi sidhha
ksheera
Harita
Yashtimadhu (Glycerrhiza
glabra) or parusaka
(Grewia asiatica) or
madhupuspa with navneeta
with madhura payo anupana
Kakoli (Roscoea procera)
sidhha ksheera
Krishara
Ksheera and ten
gram navaneeta
Sanskrita odana
Ksheera and ghrita
Paayasa
Madhura aushadhi
sidhha ksheera and
sarpi
Madhura aushadhi
sidhha ksheera and
sarpi
Ksheerayavagu and
sarpi Aasthapana
basti followed by
anuvasana basti
Madhura aushadhi
sidhha taila yonipichu
Madhura dadhi
Ghritakhanda
Ghritapuraka
Vividha anna
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Neelam and Alok: Role of Ahara and Vihara in Prenatal Care
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How to cite this article: Neelam Singh and Alok Singh: Role of
Ahara and Vihara in Prenatal Care – An Ayurvedic Perspective,
AAMJ 2015; 1 (2): 92-6
Source of Support: Nil. Conflict of Interest: None declared
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