Ayurveda defines health holistically as a state of equilibrium of the body's systems and a blissful state of the soul, senses and mind. This includes physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Some key aspects of health according to Ayurveda include proper digestion, metabolism, and elimination; strong tissues; and a balanced mind. Disease results from derangement of these systems due to improper diet, lifestyle, intellectual errors or changes over time. Ayurveda emphasizes lifestyle factors like diet, sleep, celibacy and daily/seasonal routines to support health and prevent disease.

1. Concept of Health, Wellness and Disease in Ayurveda
Dr. Mangalagowri V Rao
Assistant Professor (Stage 3),
Department of Swasthavritta
Faculty of Ayurveda, IMS, BHU

2.  Ayurveda gives a holistic definition of health, including, physical, mental and spiritual
domains. The components mentioned in WHO definition of health were already
described in Sushruta Samhita in the definition of swastha. Further, there is striking
similarities mentioned in dimensions of health elaborated in modern texts and
features of health described by Acharya Kashyapa.
Introduction

3. • Equilibrium state of body humors (Doshas)
• Factor responsible for digestion Assimilation and metabolism (Agni),tissues(Dhatus)
Physical
Domain
• Proper expulsion of excreta (Malas) i.e. morbid matter accumulated in the body
during digestion or metabolism in the form of excretory product.
Physical Domain
• Blissful state of soul, senses and mindMental and
Spiritual Domain
• सम दोषः समाग्निश्च समधातु मलक्रियाःI
• प्रसन्िात्मेद्रिय मिाः स्वस्थ इत्यभिधीयते II
Susruta Samhita,
Sutra Sthana,
15/41

4. Features of
positive
health
Desire for
food and Easy
digestion of
ingested food
Proper
formation and
expulsion of
excreta
Lightness in body
and normal
sensory and
motor functions
Comfortable onset
of sleep and
waking up easily
with feeling of
wellness
Strength,
complexion
and longevity
Pleasant
state of mind
and proper
Agni
अन्िाभिलाषो िुक्तस्य परिपाकः सुखेि च I
सृष्टववण्मूत्र वातत्वं शिीिस्य च लाघववम II
सुप्रसन्िेग्न्ियत्वं च सुखस्वप्ि प्रबोधिम I
बलवर्ाायुषो लािः सौमिस्यं समाग्निता II
ववद्यादािोनय भलंगानि I
Kashyapa Samhita, Khila sthana,

5. Features of
strong body
Proportionate Body
and Strong Sensory
and motor organs
Immunity against
diseases or
occurrence of
diseases in mild
form
Nourishment
Proper through
proper
digestion,
Assimilation and
metabolism
With stand
impacts of
natural urges
and
environmental
adversities
,
सम मांस प्रमार्स्तु समसंहििो ििः
दृढेग्न्िय ववकािार्ां ि बलेिाभििुयते I
क्षुग्त्पपासातपसहः शीतव्यायामसंसहः
समपक्ता समजिः सममांस चयो मतःII
Charaka Samhita

6. Relation between
Skin and Health
Strongperceptie
power
Healthy skin
State of
excellence of
body tissues
(Dhatus)
Good
Complexion

7. Ahara (Food)
Nidra (Sleep)
Brahmacharya
(Celibacy)
 Body strength
 Complexion
 Nourishment
THREE SECONDARY VITAL SUPPORTS (TRAYOPASTHAMBHA)
IN THE BODY FOR HEALTH

8. THREE SECONDARY VITAL SUPPORTS (TRAYOPASTAMBHA)
Diet (Ahara)
Nourishes, provides strength
instanteneously, and makes
body sturdy
Enhances longevity, lusture,
complexion, clarity in skin
enthusiasm, memory and Agni
Sleep (Nidra)
Nourishment, strength, viriliy,
longevity are produced by
proper sleep
Improper sleep result in variety of
disorders Headache, heaviness of
body, dizziness, itching, urticaria,
pimples etc.
Sexual act in moderation
(Abrahmacharya)
Absolute refrainment from
sexual activity is Celibacy
(Brahmacharya), but is not
suited for present world. The
sexual act in moderation is
more practicable
(Abrahmacharya)
Longevity, Lusture, strength,
energy, knwledge, success,
attractiveness

9. DIET (AHARA)
*Most important secondary
vital support essential for
supporting the body tissues
through providing proper
nourishment.
*Bring about vitality hence
prevent diseases
*Maintains digestive fire
(Agni) resulting inproper
digestion, assimilation and
formation of body tissues.
*Brings about longevity
SLEEP (NIDRA)
*Brings about strength
and nourishment by
bringing about relaxation,
providing rest to the tired
body and mind due to the
activities of entire day.
*Provides rest to the
heart and brings about
calmness and peace of
mind
SEXUAL ACT INMODERATION
(ABRAHMACHARYA)
*During the sexual act the
semen (Shukra) is lost which
results in loss of strength to
some extent.
*Sexual act in moderation
helps to conserve energy
*Ojas the factor responsible for
prevention of diseases is
preserved as it is produced
from semen (Shukra)

10. नित्यं द्रहताहाि ववहाि सेवी
समीक्ष्यकािी ववषयेष्वसक्तः I
दातासमः सत्यपिः क्षमावाि
आप्तोपसेवी िवत्यिोगः II
IIअष्टांगहृदय सूत्र स्थाि II

11.  An individual should take proper food giving due importance to body constitution,
condition of digestive fire, body condition, strength, mode of work,
seasons, age, conduciveness to the body (Satmya), food combinations etc.
Diet (Ahara)

12. द्रहताशी स्याग्न्मताशी स्यात
कालिोजी ग्जतेग्न्ियः I
पश्यि िोगाि बहूि कष्टाि
बुद्धधमाि ववषमाशिात II
Charaka Samhita Nidana Sthana
6/11 II

13. • Daily Regimen
(Dinacharya)
• Night Regimen (Nisha
charya)
• Seasonal Regimen
(Ritucharya)
द्रदिचयाां निशाचयाां ऋतुचयाां
यथोद्रदता I आचिि पुरुषः
स्वस्थः सदा नतष्ठनत
िान्यथा II Bhavaprakasha
1/5/
िोगाः सवेवप जायन्ते
वेगोदीिर् धािर्ःII
Ashtanga Hridara, Sutra
Sthana
Non-suppression of
natural urges
AYURVEDIC LIFESTYLE FOR HEALTH PROMOTION

14. Ethical conduct (Sadvritta)
Control over extreme emotions to leading to disturbances
in all domains of health (Dharaniya Vegadharana)
Rejuvenation through physical, mental and spiritual
disciplined lifestyle (Achara Rasayana)
Regular Practice of Pranayama and Meditation
MENTAL MAKEUP (VICHARA)

15. CONCEPT OF DISEASE IN AYURVEDA
Obstruction
/constriction in
the channels
produces
diseases
Derangement of
Digestion,
assimilation and
metabolism (Agni),
vitiation of body
humours (Doshas)
and tissues (Dhatus)
Erreneous food and lifestyle
habits (Mithyahara Vihara)
Intellectual errors
(Prajnaparadha)
Effect of time (Parinama)

16. • Definition of Health in Ayurveda: Equilibrium state of body humours, Agni,
tissues, proper expulsion of excretory products and blissful state of soul,
senses, and mind.
• Features of positive health
• Three secondary vital supports for health: Diet (Ahara), sleep (Nidra), Sexual
act in moderation (Abrahmacharya)
• Keys for Health: Diet (Ahara), Lifestyle (Vihara) and Mental makeup (Vichara)
SUMMARY

17. THANK YOU