ISHS Acta Horticulturae 680: III WOCMAP Congress on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - Volume 6: Traditional Medicine and Nutraceuticals
NUTRACEUTICALS: AYURVEDA’S PERSPECTIVE |
| Authors: | Y. Rani, N.K. Sharma |
| Keywords: | Chyawanprash, phytomedicine, rasayana, traditional medicine |
| Abstract:
Nutraceuticals are natural bioactive materials that provide demonstrated physiological benefits or reduce the risk of chronic diseases, above and beyond their basic nutritional function. Consumers’ demand for quality of life has fueled the ‘nutraceutical revolution’ and seeking complementary or alternative beneficial products. The association of nutraceuticals with traditional medicine brings the long-standing consumer acceptance. Although the concept of nutraceuticals is gaining more popularity more recently, its roots can be traced to the ancient Indian system of medicine, ‘Ayurveda’. It is clearly stated that food, which besides providing nutrition helps to maintain the healthy state and prevents the occurrence of diseases should be consumed. The classical texts of Ayurveda are filled with scattered references of implication of food products in various disease entities. The concept of ‘Aajasrik Rasayana’ (general rejuvenation) deals with food products that can be consumed daily for improving quality of life by offering protection from external and internal stressors. Commonly used nutraceuticals of Ayurveda include Chyavanprash (for general health and prevention of respiratory disorders); Brahma Rasayana (for protection from mental stress); Phala Ghrita (for reproductive health); Arjuna Ksheerpaka (for cardioprotection); Shatavari Ghrita (for general health of women during various physiological states) and Rasona Ksheerpaka (for cardioprotection). Implication of certain nutraceuticals mentioned in various conditions and their merits will be elaborately discussed in this paper. | |
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