ANATOMICAL AND ETIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON CONGENITAL DISORDERS AS PER AYURVEDA

Dr. Poonam Vitthal Jadhavar*

ABSTRACT

Ayurveda is a science that accounts for all possible aspects of human health, disease preventive measures, and treatments. It gives many diseases descriptions and classifications based on the reasons and symptoms of its manifestation. Ayurveda also gives special attention to Garbhajanya Vikriti (congenital disorders) and fetal developmental process. Ayurveda claims that wrong nutrition of the mother, bad living conditions, and disruptions in quality of Beeja and Beejabhaga are the main causes of congenital birth defects. Ayurveda describes how a healthy child is born with the help of Shadgarbhakara Bhavas including Matrija, Pitrija, Atmaja, Rasaja, Satmyaja and Sattvaja factors. Ayurveda recognized congenital disorders as being influenced by both genetic and hereditary factors, along with offering preventive and therapeutic modalities for tackling these problems. These conditions are associated with Kularaja Vikara, and viewed as Asadhya disorders in general terms. As per Ayurveda, Beeja Dosha and Matrija Vikriti are the major causes for Garbhaja Vikriti in babies. Any abnormalities can affect the normal development of fetus and lead to problems in shape, size and structure of fetus. The classical texts talk about various kinds of abnormalities including excessive body proportions and snake or scorpion-like shape of fetus. Considering importance of this problem present article explores Anatomical and etiological perspectives on congenital disorders as per Ayurvedic view.

Keywords: Ayurveda, Garbhaja Vikriti, Congenital Disorders, Beeja Dosha, Matrija Vikriti.