Ethical aspects of Langhana - A review

Abstract

Ayurveda has a holistic concept of health. The ayurvedic approach to diagnose the illness is very systemic and scientific. The changing lifestyle of dietic and behavioral ways leads to the impairment of jatharagni which causes the formation of aama. This aama may lead to severe chronic non – communicable diseases. Ancient acharyas have explained that langhana is the first and best treatment for aama. Langhana is also included in six basic principles of treatment in Ayurveda that is shat upakrama. The ten different types of langhana should be administered according to the dosha avastha, vyadhi avastha, rugna bala and his prakruti. Upavasa rupi langhana or fasting that is complete voluntary abstinence from diet for particular period of time is practiced in both therapeutic and non-therapeutic manner. While doing fasting for religious or spiritual purpose in unhealthy manner, there may be serious ill effects about which a person should be made aware. In case of therapeutic fasting, patient should be convinced about the ideal ways of fasting, do’s and don’ts during the fasting and healthy diet to be followed during and after breaking the fast. In both the cases, it is ethical responsibility of a physician to educate the patient about the scientific approach of concept of langhana to achieve its maximum benefits to maintain the normal health and body functioning. This should be done without hurting any kind of religious and emotional believes. This article explains in detail about the ayurvedic and modern concept of langhana, its religious impact as well as ethical and moral responsibilities of physician while applying it.