INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTICS AND RESEARCH

ISSN No. : xxxx-xxxx

Volume : 01

Issue : 01

DOI : 10.5281/zenodo.8156920

Abstract

Introduction

Corresponding author : Dr. Prajkta Kulkarni,

Article Info : Published on : 14/07/2023

Cite this article as : - Dr. Prajkta Kulkarni, Conceptual study of excessive Lavana rasa intake and its effects in Ayurved Inter.J.Dignostics

and Research1(1) 33-36.https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8156920

033

Conceptual study of excessive Lavana rasa intake and its effects in Ayurveda

Dr. Prajkta Kulkarni

Assistant Professor, Tilak Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Pune

prajktakulkarni2005@gmail.com

The modern day lifestyle comes with a package of hectic schedules at work place; time bound activities, work stress,

inadequate sleep, improper and unhealthy diet and irregular, meal timings and many more. Apart from all this above

things, the present day lifestyle includes excessive intake of salt through food, sometimes directly and sometimes

through various sources like preserved food, marinated food, sauces, salted food stuff like cheese, butter, dry fruits. The

daily consumption of unnecessary and many times excessive salty food gradually leads to lifestyle disorders such as

hypertension, obesity, diabetes, kidney diseases. In Ayurved samhitas, special concept of Rasa has been described and

whole chapter is dedicated to it. The various tastes of food like sweet, sour, bitter have been described which are 6 in

number and they have specific function and specific ill effects if consumed excessively. In this paper, an effort has been

made to elaborate the concept of excessive salty food intake and their ill effects which are evident in present time.

Keywords : Lavana Rasa, Excessive, Atiyog, Food, Indriyopaghat, Sense organ

The excessive salt intake and associated diseases are a matter of concern in this era. They are not only affecting

elderly age group, but also young and middle age group. According to PAHO (Pan American Health

Organization), largest number of diet related deaths are due to excessive salt intake.3 WHO (World Health

Organization) recommends maximum of 5gm /day salt intake in adults. Excessive salt intake more than this,

would result into various metabolic and lifestyle disorders. Ayurved Samhita contains special mention of Lavana

rasa atiyog1 (Excessive salt intake) and related symptoms. Modern day lifestyle includes such excessive salty

food intake frequently and this is a very serious issue as it leads to increase in burden of non communicable

diseases.

Aim and objective

1. To study the Lavana rasa concept in Ayurveda

2. To study the ill effects of the Lavana Rasa described in samhita on Indriya (sense organ).

Materials and methods

Primary data is collected from Ayurvedic samhitas, journals and articles.

Publisher

ROGANIDAN VIKRUTIVIGYAN PG ASSOCIATION

FOR PATHOLOGY AND RADIODIGNOSIS

Year of Establishment – 2016

Reg. No. : MAHA-703/16(NAG)

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTICS AND RESEARCH

Volume : 01 Issue : 01 DOI :

Review of literature

Ayurved samhita describes 6 rasas or tastes, which are

Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), Lavana (salty), Katu

(pungent), Tikta (bitter) and Kashaya (astringent).2

Among these 6 Rasas, Lavana Rasa (salty taste) is

essential for enhancing the taste of the food. It liquefies

and clears the channels of the body that are called a

srtotas. Though the constitution is panchbhautika (with

5 elements –Prithvi, Teja, Aapa, Vayu, Aakasha), it

mainly comprised of Teja (fire) and Aapa (water)

element in it. Saindhava is said to be the best Lavana to

be consumed according to Ayurved. 1 The excessive

intake of Lavana Rasa results into excessive thirst, heat,

penetrating swelling, fainting, teeth falling, emulsifying

Mans, wrinkling of skin, hair fall, hair graying,

Observations

The below mentioned health hazards of excessive intake of Lavana Rasa has been described in Ayurveda. WHO (world

Health Organization) considered this issue as a major health concern.

Images 1 and Image 2 showing daily foods served or prepared with use of salt causing excess salt intake in daily diet.

Image 1 - French fries

Image 2- Processed cheese

Mahabhoota

constitution

Function Atiyog Lakshana

Aapa

Mahabhoota

And

Teja

Mahabhoota

Deepana (Improves hunger) Premature graying of hair, baldness

Pachana (Improves digestion) skin wrinkles, Lacerations

Bhedana (separating character) Raktapitta, Amlapitta, Vatarakta,

Chhedana (Breaking of bonds) Vicharchika

Kledana (keeping the site soggy) Visarpa and other Rakta vikaras

(Various types skin diseases from

acute to chronic)

Shukraghna (Anaphrodisiac and

or oligospermia)

Raktapitta, Vatarakta, Vicharchika (skin disorder),

alopecia, obstructing function of male genital tract,

Indriyopaghat means disability or impairment of sense

organs. It may be in terms of hampering normal

functions of sense organs. Special mention of avoiding

over consumption of 3 elements is found in

Vimansthana in Charaka samhita. Those 3 elements are

Pippali (piper longum), Kshara (alkaline extract) and

Lavana Rasa (salty element).1 It is mentioned that

excessive use of these above elements should be

avoided. It is said that excessive Lavana Rasa

consumption results in weakness, inability to work,

fatigue. It results in loosening of tissues. By above

mentioned literature it is clear that Lavana Rasa has

many serious effects on body.

Table 1: Lavana Rasa – Mahabhoota constitution, function and excess use

WHO has declared World Salt Awareness Day or World Non Communicable Disease Day on 22 May. Increased consumption of

salt is associated with hypertension, increased risk of heart diseases and other non communicable diseases. Globally there is

need to establish national salt control program to create awareness against excessive salt intake.

034

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTICS AND RESEARCH

Volume : 01 Issue : 01 DOI :

Discussion

The lifestyle nowadays consists of high amounts of

consumption of food stuff which contains higher

amounts of salt, sodium in it. These food items like

marinated food, salted dry fruits, salted bakery products,

preservative based products etc. have excess amount of

salt. Their consumption on large level over a

consistently long period has huge impact on health and it

would lead to serious health issues like non

communicable diseases. Ayurveda has significant

reference of excessive salt consumption and its ill effect

on health quoting many symptoms like untimely hair

graying, wrinkles on skin, rakta related diseases like

Vatarakta, Raktapitta, skin diseases like Vicharchika,

Mansa bhedana, Chhhedana are the symptoms

presenting through skin disorders and Indriyopaghata

(Dis functioning of senses).The meaning of the word

Indriyopaghata in dictionary in Lavana rasa Atiyoga leads

to obstruction in indriya karma. Indriya is a unique

Ayurvedic concept. There are 5 Indriyas (sense organs)

mentioned in Ayurveda. They are Jivha, Twacha, Shrotra,

Netra and Nasa (toungue, skin, ears, eyes and nose

respectively).

The indriya is responsible for the artha graham prakriya

i.e. it helps in understanding the expected meaning of the

subject or situation. Excessive salt intake results in

producing impairment or obstruction in normal

functioning of indriya. It may lead to skin diseases, vision

impairment, ear related problems like deafness and nose

related issues.

Table 2 : Indriya, element, Aadhisthana, Indriya artha and Indriya buddhi

Indriyas

(Name of 5

Indriyas)

Dravya

(Basic ele-

ment)

Adhshthana

(Location)

Indriya Arthas

(Sense objects)

Indriya Buddhi

(Knowledge)

Shrotra Aakasha Karnas

(2 Ears)

Shabada

(sound)

Shrotra Buddhi

(Knowledge of sund)

Sparsha Vayu Twak (Skin) Sparsha (Touch) Sparsha Buddhi

(Knowledge of Touch)

Chakshu Agni Netra

(2 Eyes)

Roopa (Sight) Roopa Buddhi

(Knowledge of Vision)

Rasana Jala Jiwha

(Tongue)

Rasa (Taste) Rasa Buddhi

(Knowledge of Taste)

Ghrasana Prithvi Ghrana

(Nose)

Gandha (Smell) Gandha Buddhi

(Knowledge of smell)

The Charaka samhita has also mentioned 3 substances Pippli, Kshara and Lavana are not to be consumed in excess. It

creates serious health issues and should be consumed in appropriate quantity.

Conclusion

From the above mentioned discussion, it is clear that there are significant health issues due to excess salt intake, which results

in various non- communicable diseases. It is described in Ayurveda in detail and again same can be evident in today’s lifestyle

related issues. It can be managed by creating awareness and setting guidelines for monitoring use of salt in diet.

035

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DIAGNOSTICS AND RESEARCH

Volume : 01 Issue : 01 DOI :

Bibliography

1.Yadavaji TK, Commentary: Chakrapani commentery

of Charaka Samhita ,sutra sthana, 26,42 ,2011 Edition

Reprint, Varanasi, Chaukhamba Prakashan, 2007, 299

2.Dr. Ganesh Krishna Garde, Saartha Vagbhat, Reprint,

Pune, Anmol Prakashan, 1994, 49.12,13

3.https://www.paho.org

4.https://ijam.co.in/index.php/ijam/article/download/

2302/821/4838

5.https://www.google.com

https://ijdrindia.com

Benefits of Publishing with us

Fast peer review process

Global archiving of the articles

Unrestricted open online access

Author retains copyright

Unique DOI for all articles

ISSN No. : xxxx-xxxx

DOI : 10.5281/zenodo.8156920

Submission Link : http://www.ijdrindia.com

Dr. Prajkta Kulkarni Inter. J.Digno. and Research

This work is licensed under Creative

Commons Attribution 4.0 License

036