Role of Viruddha Ahara in the Genesis of Amavata

Those substances that cause an unnatural increase in the humors but do not expel them out of body are called Viruddha ahara. Hence, they are more antagonistic than nourishing to the tissues. Many of food materials mentioned in this context in treatises cannot be identified. The interaction is more important. There is concept of drug-drug or food-drug interaction in modern medicine also. In today’s era most of these incompatibilities can be explained chemically and ultimately, leading to ama formation in body. Amavata develops due to conglomeration of ama and vata. According to Ayurveda, ama plays an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease, which is formed mainly due to decrease in digestive power. Acharya Madhava has described various types of nidana responsible for the development of Amavata and viruddha ahara is one of them which plays the most crucial point in today’s era. Viruddha ahara causes vitiation in agni causing vitiation in doshas and vice-versa.