Role of Pathya-Apathya and its impact on common neurological disorders in children

Abstract

Ayurveda is an age-old practice of ancient Indian medicine methodology. A profuse number of
varying neurological disorders are cited throughout the Charak indriyasthana in a dispersed
manner. The present study attempts to screen various references pertaining to the study of pathya
apathya and its role in neurological disorders. The concept of pathya and apathya itself
emphasizes the treatment of various disorders. It has been mentioned in the Samhitas that vata
dosh plays a crucial role in these disorders and various neurological disorders come under the
group of vata vyadhis. Among the tridoshas, the supremacy of vata dosha is explained by Acharyas
as vata plays a vital role in various neurological disorders. No medicine is needed if pathya
apathya is followed properly and also there is no use of medicine if pathya-apathya is not followed
properly. Various neurological disorders include cerebral palsy, autism, ADHD, epilepsy,
dyslexia, etc. and the healing science of Ayurveda with the impact of pathya and apathya for
improvement of these disorders becomes more important. Therefore, with the help of this paper, the
scientific evaluation of pathya-apathya ahar-vihar mentioned in Ayurvedic literature for
neurological disorders in children is discussed in detail.