#Fasting (Langhana) - #ayurvedic references

Views shared by several ayurveda professionals and non-ayurveda people in discussion group:

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Vd. Sachin Kadlag: लङ्घनं च अल्पदोषाणां प्रशस्तम् अतिसारिणाम्।   charak samhita chikitsa sthana 19/19

Fasting is beneficial in atisaar when doshas are in low quantity.

Vd. Dhruti Kagrana: Langhana consists of Pipasa, Atapa Sevana, Maruta Sevana, Pachana, Upavasa, and Vyayama. Vamana, Virecana, Asthapana Basti and Sirovirecana are also included in it. Thus it is quite clear that from the Ayurvedic point of view, only fasting is not Langhana. Any of the above methods may be prescribed for Langhana, taking into consideration the strength of the patient. Ch.su.22/18

Canada Nitin Shah: Akshi kukshi bhava pratishyay vrana jwarahah panchaiti panchratrat langhnat nasyanti. Means that in the eye disorders, abdominal disorders, wound, cold and fewer- five days langhan provides therapeutic benefits.Fasting is indicated for increased kapha dosha . Fasting is first line of treatment mainly in almost all aama janya  vyadhi (indigestion).  

.........लङ्घनं. ....... कुर्वन्ति अतिकृशं नरम्। charak sutrasthana 21/ 12

Fasting is one of the causes of making person ultraslim.1Vaman 2.virechana 3. Basti, 4.Nasya 5.Pachana

6.Pipasa(controllig thirst) 7.Upvas(fasting) 8.Maruta sevan ( Exposure to wind),

9.Vyayam(Exercise)  10.Atapa Sevan ( Exposure to sun)

1-4. Panchakarma therapy is used to expel out increased Doshas out of the body. It is recommended when the disease and the strength of the patient – both are strong.

Panchakarma therapies as deprivation treatment is useful in

Prabhuta Shleshma, Pitta Asra – person having Kapha Pitta imbalance and blood vitiation, Prabhuta mala – when there is high build up of morbid matter in the body,

Samsrushta Maruta – in person where Vata is obstructed. Brihat shareera – in obesity

Balina – and in strong person, Panchakarma treatment is adopted.

5. Indication for Pachana (digestive) treatment – 

Madhya bala roga – in diseases with moderate strength – when Doshas are moderately vitiated (If they are highly vitiated, then Panchakarma is required).

Kapha Pitta Samutha – diseases with Kapha and Pitta imbalance,

vomiting (Chardi), diarrhea (Atisara), heart diseases (Hrit Roga), cholera (visuchika), severe type of digestive disorder (Alasaka), fever (Jwara), constipation (vibandha), heaviness of the body (gaurava), eructation (udgara), nausea (hrullasa) and anorexia (aruchi).

6,7 – Indication for control of thirst and fasting –

 If the same above diseases are of mild nature, they are to be treated by the control of thirst and hunger (fasting). Note that, under normal circumstances, hunger and thirst should not be suppressed. We should eat and drink whenever there is hunger and thirst. But during diseases, suppression of these is advocated, to balance the Doshas…8-10 – Indication for exercise, sun and wind exposure: 

If strong individuals suffer from diseases of mild nature, such diseases can be cured by physical exercise and Exposure to Sun and Wind.

Ch.su.22/18-23........  उपवासः ........ निद्राप्रसङ्गम् अहितम्  वारयन्ति समुत्थितम्।  एत एव च विज्ञेया निद्रानाशस्य हेतवः।।   

charak sutrasthana 21/  56.Fasting is one of the treatment for oversleeping disorder. It is also one of the causes of insomnia.

USA Gary Yuen: Are there procedures such as what to take during or types such as juice or milk? Or just water for for a certain time? In Chinese taoist yoga, there is a kind of fasting called 'without cereals' veg nuts seeds fruit is allowed but no grains like rice. I am starting to eat sometimes once every two days or skip two days to treat mild kapha. I don't think nutrition is a factor in short fasting like eating only 2 or 3 times a week for a few months. But am not sure maybe there are nutrition concerns and milk or other methods are better. Not exactly fasting. I tried pippalī vardhamāna rasāyana once on my own without a doctor. Stopped after day 9 since it was too warm. Might try again but am also trying to treat hair loss. Are there different fasting methods for different doshas?

Vd. Sachin Kadlag: Fasting is mainly for increased kapha dosha.  For other doshas , if saama conditions are there , mild fasting can be given. There are different types of dieting for different doshas.

Dr. S. K. Rai: Can any one clinically differentiate between "Deepan"and" Pachan"

Since they are considered to be the benchmark before initiating the ""shodhana" procedures.

One play important role in the enhancement of agni and other is helpful in the digestion of "toxic materials" in the body.

How to assess clinically???

Canada Nitin Shah: One of the best way to fast, which can be applicable for most people is concept of intermittent fasting

USA Gary Yuen: Caraka su 25 says nothing worse than fasting for reducing hope of life and recommends under eating for weight loss.

Vd. Sachin Kadlag: Langhan / fasting types

1. Complete : nill by mouth

2.selective  : a ) only for solids b) only for liquids c) only water  d) only laghu / easy to digest solids /liquids.

e) /taking only particular taste  f) limiting quantity of diet

USA Gary Yuen: Yes i am doing intermittent but mixing Ayurveda and Chinese medicine methods.

Dr. Uday H. Hanagal: Refer Astanga Hrudaya Sutra Sthana Doshapakramaneeya Adhyaya & Dvividhopakramaneeya Adhyaya.

Vd. Prerak Shah: Deepana is carminatives - increases Agni or appetite. Pachana is digestives - more works on digestion, after food intake.

So basically you can say that Dipana works above liver and pachana works below liver. This is my clinical understanding and approach.

Vd. Sachin Kadlag: Dieting can be given as  chikitsa /  as preventive measure / as   pathya .

USA Gary Yuen: I only read English and French so only can read caraka and sushruta. Other works might not be translated.

Dr. Jinal Thakkar: Also..  In my observation clinically..  When there is saamta in a patient paachan is hampered..  And when there is kshudha mandya(patient doesn't feel hunger)  that situation is apt for deepan dravyas.Sometimes like in cases of jwara both are hampered which is when we can use dravya like chitraka which is deepan paachan both along with other jwaraghna drugs

USA Gary Yuen: are deepan dravyas mentioned in caraka?

Vd. Neeraj Pooner: Yes,Charak mahaksyam chapater 4 sutra sthana

Bt no pachniya mahaksyam

USA Gary Yuen: Do you know where in sutrasthana 4?Group 1 su 4.9 i think. My translation doesn't say deepan dravya but plants to stimulate appetite.

Vd. Ekta D. Patel: Deepniya mahaksaya-

Pippali

Pippalimul

Chavya

Chitrak

Shrugver

Amlavetas

Marich

Ajmoda

Bhallatkasthi

Hinguniryas.

C.su.4.

USA Gary Yuen: In Su 4, herbs are listed with strongest first? Maybe someone wants to talk about different fasting methods for vata pitta kapha? Maybe vata uses soups, pitta juices etc?

Slovenia Anoop S. Anand: Pachennamam vahni kruccha deepanam tadyata Mishi | Pachatyaamam na vahni kuryadyattaddi pachanam || Naagakesharavadvidyaachitrako deepana pachana | Sharangadhara Samhita.The drug which dose not digests AMA but enhances AGNI is known as Deepana. Example : mishi The drug which digests the AMA but dose not enhances AGNI is known as Pachana.Example : nagakesara.The drugs like chitraka which dose both AMA pachana and AGNI deepana. The deepana and pachana are very essential to start with before the main treatment. These medicines which helps to clear the undigested materials along with increasing metabolic rate of the body. By this the other medicines which are advised in later stage will give the desired result.

Dr. S. K. Rai: Can we evolve the real clinical protocols in regular Ayurveda practice to assess the level of deepan Pachan. I mean to say the tests before and after deepan and paachan procedures. Since we want to see it clinically not on shastra and academically.Shri Minoo parabia: Jains observe intermittent fasting called Varshitap. I am amazed at their will power.

Once I happened to be at Upashray during chaturmas. A sage asked my advise about his health. He had h just finished a two hour lecture. He was on his sixtieth day of fasting! !!!. Lo and behold. Who am I to advise him? I genuflect with veneration excused my self. With all my proud scientific back ground, I am just flabbergasted at this eternal strength.

Shri Minoo parabia: Let me clarify, I am not jain. Not even nearer in any aspect.

USA Gary Yuen: Do they take certain liquids like herbs or other things during fast?

Vd. Dhruti Nirav Bhatt: Maharshi Charka has divided Langhan in three types 1.Aptarpan fasting,2.Langgan 3.Shodhan.Langhan is for malerately strong Doshas incrases vayu and agni this Vayu absorbs excess Dosh and do proper digestion. benificial in Mandagni and Aam janya vyadhi .

It reduces stiffness ,Ajirna,Med(fat),Jwar.Boiled water or Dry ginger dicoction(Sunthi sidh jal) intake have good results

Vd. Dhruti Nirav Bhatt: In Jwar Chikitsa Charaka has  mentioned 'Shdangpaniya'

Dr. Uday H. Hanagal: When Sama Kapha is there give Katu Pachaka --Panchakola, Trikatu etc,  Sama Pitta-- Tikta Pachaka,Tikta gana Dravya, Sama Vata-- Snighdaukta Katu Pachaka (Works as Shamanoushsdhi, part of Langhana), Select the medicines according to the Dashavidha Pareeksha, In some cases Dosha Pramana is more there Shodhana (Part of Langhana) also indicated.

Vd. Dhruti Kagrana: What is the effect of langhana(mode of action of langhana)  in our cellular metabolism?

Dr. Uday H. Hanagal: Langhana means Apatarpana to reduce the Vriddhi, Prakopa Dosha as Gunataha, Karmataha.Every cell contains Vata, Pitta, Kapha.

Dr. Arvind Shahane: 2016-07-14-PHOTO-00000053.jpg <attached>

.Ch. Su 22/10.Guna of langhan dravya

Vd. Binal Jagani: Can we do langhan with starting any food preparation in weak pt.

Dr. Minakshi Kaundal: यत् किञ्चिल्लाघवकरं देहे तल्लङ्घनं स्मृतम्||९||

yat kiñcillāghavakaraṃ dehe tallaṅghanaṃ smṛtam || – Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana 22/9

Whichever Panchakarma therapies / medicines  / lifestyle changes that bring about lightness and thinness to the body is called Langhana – Deprivation treatment. It is also called as de-nourishing treatment.

Tridosha and Langhan –

Usually lightness is a quality of Vata Dosha. Heaviness is due to Kapha Dosha. So, whenever there is Kapha dosha increase, or whenever there is blcokingof body channels by Kapha dosha, whenever Kapha is associated with Pitta Dosha, Langhana treatment principle is adopted.

Dr. Minakshi Kaundal: changes take place in our body when we fast:

The body uses glycogen reserves (stored sugar to help energy supply).

Major detoxification process starts.

Number of white blood cells increase.

Immunity gets boosted.

Inflammation of inner layers of digestive system decreases.Health benefits of fasting:Acne, pimples and other skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis clears up faster when a person fasts.Fasting reduces joint pains in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and gout.

It helps to overcome addictions and help in deaddiction.

Fasting brings glow to skin and makes skin radiant.

Body energy level and Immunity increases when you fast.

Body tissues get rejuvenated.

This Helps in weight reduction and to control obesity.

Australia  Vd. Neerja Ahuja: If I can ask, how do you all type so much esp in Hindi or Sanskrit on phone? Is there a good app  available?

Dr. Bhadresh Naik: Is their any possibility of malnutrition

Also electrolytic imbalanced

Kindly guide.Due to ati ladhan

Shri Minoo parabia: Jains take only boiled water during day  time.

Dr. Jyoti Ashok: Must b careful while giving langhana therapy.must see that vATA is not increased.ati langhana causes vATA vriddi.

Dr. Ghanshyam Varsa: Download "Google Hindi input" from play store to type hindi

Vd. Binal Jagani: Consumption of warm water whole day also do langhan in body. It burn fat in body so pt. Feel lightness in body

Slovenia Anoop S. Anand: From my clinical practice in Slovenia..i had a 55 year old lady patient with Multiple sclerosis, planter fascitis and Lymes disease...Shareerbala was low..I was in a dilemma..if i give langhana may be vata will increase and Multiple sclerosis will also increase..but i had to go with langhan to contain the infection in Lymes disease..i gave her Amruttotaram kashayam, Kaishor guggulu and asked her to have only Moong cooked in excess water with pepper powder and himalayan salt. I also advised her pranayama..to increase oxygen uptake..after 10 days she felt better..then because of shortage of medicines i had to do adjustments in medicines...I had to give her Triphala choorna AND Shatavaryadi kashayam choorna. I asked her to have ginger, cumin and corriander seeds boiled water. She feels good..

Dr. Ravindra Upadhyay: Observe  CHATURMAS  from   15 th J uly  to 12 th Nov.  EAT IN MODERATION ONCE A DAY PREFERABLY WITHOUT ONION AND GARLIC.This is health and religion point of view. I have observed. It does help.

Slovenia Anoop S. Anand: With religion ok..but from vaidyas point of view..how skipping onion garlic will help..can anyone help

Dr. Ravindra Upadhyay: From Agni pt and Tamas pt of view.

Slovenia Anoop S. Anand: Garlic being snigdha ushna..i think it will help in raising metabolism(agni) and increasing secretions...which is expected in langhana

Dr. Bhaskar B Nymathi: Instead of Onion&Garlic may use Hingu gives both taste and beneficial.

Dr. Ravindra Upadhyay: Agreed but without that many more remedies can be  used. Like Dhanyak, Ajwayan,  saunf,  jeera, soova.

Dr Feroz Khan: Langhana helps in navin jwarmeans   acute fever but not useful in chronic fever .lt works as agniwardhak & dhosh pachak.

Dr. Ravindra Upadhyay: Chaturmas helps in natural shodhan, and thereby prevents diseases.

Vd. Prerak Shah: Hindu and Jain religion prescribe charturmas (fasting) during rainy season, Muslims do have fasting in the beginning of rainy season......we all know that there is relation between fasting, Agni or digestive and rainy season. So naturally I say all religions are sugar-coated medicine. Religion suggest changes in daily routine for better health and prevention of health. Fasting is also accepted in other religions too. As a practitioner we have to consider patient's religiosity. We need to make plan to use it for better health of the patient. Many a times, I ask my patient to combine fasting with astrology. Consult yr astrologers and find out which day of the week is good for better health- luck and observe fast on that particular weekday. So that religious + astrology + health --> all health aspects will be there.

USA Gary Yuen: Avoiding garlic and onion during this time could be avoiding pitta foods in hot weather. Greek medicine hippocrates mentions summer cooked soups of barley and cooked vegetables.I also would like to know of possible malnutrition during fasts. Intermittent or limiting foods or under eating is ok but am curious about longer fasts. The book ayurvedic science of food and nutrition, by Indian ayurvedic doctors, has whole chapter on fasting. Lists Indian studies mixed with Western ideas. 1 pound of fat is enough energy for 1 day of hard work. Safest and most effective is lime juice and honey. Says different methods according to patient but no info about vata pitta. I think they maybe do less water fasts but maybe limit kinds of foods.

Dr. Ravindra Upadhyay: During chaturmas your digestive fire is not that strong enough to digest anything you eat. We have to detoxify our body through this. Good many of us even when not hungry.

USA Gary Yuen: To clean all dhatus, seems maybe is needed some long fast combining juice water and raw foods?

Dr. Ravindra Upadhyay: Avoid raw food. It is prohibited as per Ayurved

USA Gary Yuen: I avoid but thought raw might be allowed in some cases or seasons in small amounts? manu smriti is supposed to list procedures for fast.Bones become strong during fast? Indra used strong bones from Dadhichi to make weapons. Can someone explain why fasting helps?

Dr. Ravindra Upadhyay: Natural detoxification done. Bones will become stronger only when Agni is strong

USA Gary Yuen: Manusmriti has many rules for foods to not eat. If eaten, fast for 3 days.

Dr.Yogesh Gorakhnath Patil: अक्षि कुक्षी भव: रोगा : प्रतिश्याय व्रण ज्वरा:| पंञैते पंच रात्रेण विणिवर्तते | यो.र.अक्षि कुक्षी भव: रोगा : प्रतिश्याय व्रण ज्वरा:| पंञैते पंच रात्रेण विणिवर्तते लंघनात | यो.र.

Dr. Bhavesh Modh: In VATVIKAR  given  LAGHAN as a therapy  choose  SHISHIR RUTU  (usually in January ) .

Dr. Arvind Shahane: Which kind langhan?  Only moong or fruit or food once a day

Dr. Bhavesh Modh: LAGHAN  is gateway  of ayurveda treatment.  There are  6 auspices of treatment

लंघन बृहण रूक्षण स्तंभन स्नेहन स्वेदन  but main focus  on LAGHAN  in sahinta.

In Modern  era more important  of LAGHAN.

Keep in mind  fundamental principles of LAGHAN  when given  treatment  of obesity  & it's complications such a H.D or D.M. Charak  clearly mentioned  LAGHAN  is beneficial  in ह्रदरोग (sutra ch. 22)

Dr. Bhavesh Modh: Are  there  similarities between VAT TAPIK RASAYAN Method  & LAGHAN by VATSEVAN & ATAPSEVAN  ??

USA Gary Yuen: Also would like to know methods. If one reference is true that there are procedures to heal all dhatus, please explain or list reference if known.

Dr. Uday H. Hanagal: Refer Astanga Hrudaya, Jvara Chikitsa there u will come to know what r the line of trt, & Choice of drugs according to the Dhatugata Roga's.Like malaria, Dengue, Leptospirosis, Patients are admitted in hospital they are almost on fasting, Landhan may help, But it's not saw on practical, Why

Dr. Bhavesh Modh:

It's may be helpful in your  query  Dr Naik sir 👆

Vd. sandeep Ahirkar: https://www.ayurtimes.com/coenzyme-q10-coq10/

Dr. Bhavesh Modh:

USA Gary Yuen: Can someone please translate the two images of suitable and perfect treatment? Or if is from Caraka, place please.

Dr. Bhavesh Modh:

USA Gary Yuen: I do not know if this comes from classical texts. Ayurvedic Science of Food and Nutrition: Although fasting is not recommended in every situation (cancer of the liver is one instance where fasting is contraindicated), in many other situations fasting is the only known solution. Fasting has been beneficial for arthritis, asthma, high blood pressure, lupus, chronic fatigue, colitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, spastic colon, irritable bowel, paralysis, neuritis, neuralgia, neuroses, and mental illness, as well as many others. Fasting may also lead to the breaking down of tumor cells, and for this reason many people have overcome cancer by fasting.

Dr. Uday H. Hanagal: Langhanam Paramoushadham because Most of Diseases Occured due to Santarpana means Doshas r involved in Shat Kriya Kala.

Mr. Ram Vala: What is correct way of fasting?

Some say during fasting only water should be taken(nirjala). Is it correct?

Vd. Tanuja Gokhale: Fasting only with water is not Nirjala. Nirjala literally means without food n water.The fasting depends on the person's age, disease, condition, season, his strength, appetite, tolerance to fast etc. So fasting cannot be generalised.A healthy person may too fast according to all above factors excluding disease.

USA Gary Yuen: I have heard of fasting w no water. Are there indications for when to use and what conditions are ok?

Mr. Ram Vala: Let say, age 30 -35, male, healthy, 69 kg.

And age 78, male, having blood pressure, all season.At older age is it ok to do nirjala twice in a month?

dr. Tanuja Gokhale: No it is not wise to do nirjala in old age.

Dr. Madhuri Patil Chaudhari: CoQ10 👌. Enzymes are engines of life. Langhan as described in ayurved is beneficial to proper production of enzymes(can we say niram pitta?).

Dr. Madhuri Patil Chaudhari: fasting is not same as langhan done for pathological conditions. A swasth/ healthy  person  never needs fasting...Swasthvrutta takes care of proper functioning of enzymes.

Vd. Tanuja Gokhale: There are daily n seasonal fluctuations in doshas n state of agni ie digestive fire. Hence most of the religious fastings are suggested considering above. A healthy person can or shld follow such fasts whenever possible.

Vd. Tanuja Gokhale: Eg. The 4 months observance in Hindu n Jains is as per the reduced functioning of Agni n increase in Vata in Monsoons. The water is also polluted n heavy to digest. Less mobility. These are the factors which get tackled while fasting.

Dr. Uday H. Hanagal: Always remember whatever we r going to say & giving medicines according to the Ayurveda keep in mind Why, When, Whom, How because within some days r months we r going to change some medicines & Principles because in Dashavidha Pareeksha Acharya Vagbhata clearly explained about  Vividha Avastha (Different stages)of Ahara & Aoushadha.

USA Gary Yuen: Thank you. A future topic about diet might be interesting. Looking thru manusmriti, there are prescriptions that likely come from older common practices, like fasting for 3 days or taking yava for one week if one consumes bad food.

Slovenia Anoop S. Anand: devries.pdf • ‎80 pages <attached>

USA Gary Yuen: If there is info of signs of a good, improper, or excess fast such as fatigue or smell and color of urine, please share.

Dr. Bhadresh Naik: Fasting summary

Easy to digest

Small amount

Nutrition food

Balance electrolytic value

No starvation

According to dosh

Age

Kal

Desh

We cannot do randomly to all personal

Santtarpan and uptarpan must be look

Langhan and fasting may be different according to ayurved

Even according to dosh we have to diet plan like pitta we suggests ghee

No spicy food

Repeted meal in small quantity

Ladhu ahar

We must look about malnutrition

And electrolytic value otherwise it's create kidney failure and neurological disorders

Slovenia Anoop S. Anand: acetone is released through the urine and lungs to produce the “acetone breath” that accompanies prolonged fasting.

USA Gary Yuen: I am curious about malnutrition. If one is not of old age, generally healthy, without excess of any dosha, can there be malnutrition and how long does it take? Some say the body is able to conserve vitamins and minerals but if some are fat soluable and others stored in water, are there signs of malnutrition or prescribed certain foods?

Dr Kusum Pawse: In fast is prolonged it uses all the glucose stored. Than it uses protein storage and after that the fats r broken down forming free fatty acids causing acidosis .which overloads kidneys.

Dr. P. A. Deshpande: About malnutrition in  young age.  The basic cause of untimely degeneration is malnutrition or I can say starvation n dehydration on account of bad food habits... Irregular life style  insufficient deep sleep lack of exercise pranayam etc.. The process may not give immediate health issues but over a period  it shows in various diseases minor medium or serious . bones are reserve sources of energy n immune syste.m  but if not cared exhausts with irreparable losses.

USA Gary Yuen: For instance some vitamins are water soluble like B. I’m not sure what are signs of deficiency and maybe that is why the Chinese taoist fasting method of Bigu (without grain), for prolonged fasts include fruit, nuts/seeds, herbs, honey and egg. If there are general guidelines for slight excess of each dosha, that would help.So it should Pl be not taken for granted that good health in young age do not indicate malnutrition.For assessment there r many modern tests r available like blood urine eloctrolyte  marker tests  utrasound  chest e.X ray.  etc. In fact after 40 yrs  it should be done as compulsory Insurance.

Vd. sandeep Ahirkar: Ayurvedic Fasting

Fasting is an effective way to kindle the digestive fire and burn away accumulated toxins from the body and mind. It also eliminates gas, makes the body light, improves mental clarity, and preserves overall health. Ayurveda favors regular, short-term fasting over infrequent, long-term fasting. This could entail fasting on the same day each week or setting a few days aside each month to fast, depending on your constitution and cleansing requirements. According to Ayurveda, abstaining from food or water for extended periods of time depletes bodily tissues, leading to doshic imbalance.

The primary types of fasting in Ayurveda, include:

- Consuming light foods only (such as Kitchari and Kanjee)

-Consuming fruits, vegetables, or juices only.

-Abstaining from solid foods while drinking water or herbal teas.

-Abstaining from both food and water.

In determining the appropriate type and length of a fast, it’s important to take into account your constitution, digestive strength, level of ama, and overall vitality. It’s never advised to deplete your energy during a fast. If you’re new to fasting or have a chronic illness, we recommend consulting an Ayurvedic practitioner for specifically tailored guidance.

The signs of effective fasting, include:

-Lightness in the body, clarity in the mind, and increased energy.

-Regular bowel movements with no gas or bloating.

-A clean tongue and fresh breath.

It’s best to choose a fasting period in which you’ll be able to follow a peaceful, non-stressful routine. We recommend following the daily and nightly routine recommendations in Chapter 4 of Eat-Taste-Heal. It’s also important always to break your fasts properly. The most important rule to remember is to begin eating again gradually, slowly working your way up to solid foods.

(Note: Eat-Taste-Heal includes fasting recommendations for each constitutional type.)

Simple Detoxifying Tea

Sipping warm teas throughout the day is also a highly effective way to flush out accumulated toxins from the body. Simply place the ingredients in a medium saucepan with 4 cups filtered water, bring the water to a boil for 5 minutes, and then steep for 2 to 5 minutes. Always add the lemon while the tea is steeping. Strain into a tea pot or thermos.

This is an excellent tea for individuals with a Kaphic constitution who are trying to lose weight.

Kapha Tea

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

½ teaspoon coriander seeds

1 cinnamon or licorice stick 

10 fresh basil leaves 

Squeeze lemon juice

For more information, please visit the Kauai Center for Holistic Medicine’s web site. 

USA Gary Yuen: Do you think external symptoms according to ayurveda, if one is skilled in observation, are not enough to monitor fasting progress, malnutrition, or other deficiencies?

Vd. Dhruti Nirav Bhatt: For Obesity i suggest in Langhan greengram soup,Rice yush with blackpepper Yav.

Dr. S. K. Rai: I am of the opinion that hin yog, ati yog and mithya yog are dangerous for the sound health.

I mean to say our body has excess of Jal mahabhoot, since "sneh" are the backbone of health.

Fasting can definitely cause "rookshta" in the body, one should definitely assess the bioidentity of the patient before going for Langham.

Australia Vd. Neerja Ahuja: Yes we look at prakruti n vikruti for langhan

Dr. Bhavesh Modh: लंघन (Fasting):_

उपवास (Fasting) से पिच्युटरि-ग्लैंड ग्रोथ हार्मोन का प्रचुरता से निर्माण करता है। अतः बच्चों को निम्न रीति से यदा-कदा उपवास कराना लाभकारी होता है -

  - उपवास साप्ताहिक (Weekly), पाक्षिक (Fortnightly), अथवा मासिक (Monthly) हो सकता है; तथा अहर्निश (24 घण्टे) अथवा दिवस (12 घण्टे) का हो सकता है।

  - उपवास बच्चे / किशोर की शारीरिक क्षमता के अनुसार ही कराएँ, व उपवास के दौरान आवश्यकतानुसार जल, दुग्धाहार, फलाहार, लघु-अन्न का सेवन कराते रहें।

  - उपवास के दौरान वसायुक्त आहार-द्रव्यों (Fatty foods) का सेवन कम कराएँ।

  - उपवास के दौरान कठिन शारीरिक श्रम निषिद्ध है।

  - रुग्नावस्था व दौर्बल्य की स्थिति में उपवास न कराएँ;

  - बच्चों को उचित समय पर भोजन करने की आदत डालें व अध्यशन (हर समय खाते रहने की आदत) से परहेज कराये ।

 वसायुक्त भोजन (Fatty foods) का कम सेवन कराएँ:_

आहार में वसा (Fats) का उपयोग आवश्यक मात्रा में ही कराएँ। आवश्यकता से अधिक वसा (Fats)  के सेवन से पिच्युटरि-ग्लैंड ग्रोथ हार्मोन का निर्माण कम कर देता करता है।

  फिर, शरीर में स्थूलता आने से बच्चा शारीरिक तौर पर शिथिल व निष्क्रिय हो जाता है जिससे शरीर के अधिकतम विकास में व्यवधान आता है।

Courtesy by dr.vashishth.com

Dr. Ghanshyam Varsa: Diwa shayan ( day dreaming ) is contra indicated in langhan / upwas

How ever weak patients / children may take rest in day but no sleep in day time

Dr. Bhavesh Modh: English version

Fasting

Fasting (Fasting) in abundance from Pichyutri-gland produces growth hormone. So the children following manner with occasional fasting is beneficial to -

   - Fast Weekly (Weekly), biweekly (Fortnightly), or monthly (Monthly) can be; And round the clock (24 hours) or days (12 hours) can be.

   - Fasting child / adolescent's physical capacity according to headlines, and water as needed during fasting, Dugdhahar, Fruits, short-grain intake may offer.

   - Fatty diet during fasting-liquids (Fatty foods) Provide intake.

   - Hard physical labor is forbidden during fasting.

   - Do not make Rugnavstha and fast in the event of infirmity;

   - Children make a habit of eating at the right time and Adhyashn (used to eat all the time) made avoided.

  Fatty food (Fatty foods) intake please: _

Dietary fat (Fats) Please use only the necessary amount. The extra fat (Fats) Pichyutri intake of growth hormone-producing glands is reduced.

   Then, in the body of the child obesity becomes physically impaired and disabling interrupts the body's optimum development.

Dr. Sharmila Kulkarni: How much Ghruta to be consumed during fasting?

Dr. J. T. Contractor: By langhan or fasting one may give the digestive system a break, & a nice break allows to rinse the inner walls of stomach & intestines besides it gives a boost to secret activated enzymes which are called stomach juices responsible for digestion, stomach i.e. entire digestive package is very sensitive & choosy, but most people don't bother it's body language that what to ingest & what not to, on the top of it they actually not eating but gulping half chewed food as if passing material to stores!!

So it's need less to say that along with langhan one must synchronies a disciplined  food habits. Then the langhan & fasting are fruitful I suppose.

Dr. Amiya Bhonsle: Langhan is indicated in alpa doshaouklesh awastha, but where aampachan is needed langan is indicated like aamvat.... Langhanam param aaushadham

Dr. Devesh Kumar: लंघनम परममौषधम

Langhana is considered as best medicine for starting stage of the सम्प्राप्ति  of every रोग....लंघन directly act as आम पाचक its give strenth to जठराग्नि... when agni is thikshana we can give ras aushadhis and rasayana related to diseases.

USA Gary Yuen: If one is doing short fasts such as once a week or two or three days every two weeks or month, and feels not hungry but an urge to eat for comfort or custom, recommendations?

 Perhaps that similar to what to recommend anytime if someone feels need to eat but is not hungry.

Dr. Devesh Kumar: उष्णोउदक

Hot water or light soup is adviseble ...soup should be under go  संस्करण with दीपक पाचक द्रव्या.Sending article on fasting to understand the biochemistry.Fasting:-

what happens to our Body during fasting in Ramazan in 30 days of fasting:-

Detoxification Stage 1 (Day 1 To Day 2)

On the first day of fasting, the blood sugar level drops. The heart slows and blood pressure is reduced. Glycogen is pulled from the muscle causing some weakness. The first wave of cleansing is usually the worst. Headaches, dizzinessnausea, bad breath, and a heavily coated tongue are signs of the first stage of cleansing. Hunger can be the most intense in this period.

Detoxification Stage 2 (Day 3 To Day 7)

Fats, composed of transformed fatty acids, are broken down to release glycerol from the gliceride molecules and are converted to glucose. The skin may become oily as rancid oils are purged from the body. People with problem-free skin may have a few days of pimples or even a boil. The body embraces the fast and the digestive system is able to take a much-needed rest, focusing all of its energies on cleansing and healing. White blood cell and immune system activity increases. You may feel pain in your lungs. The cleansing organs and the lungs are in the process of being repaired. The breath is still foul and the tongue coated. Within the intestine, the colon is being repaired and impacted feces on the intestinal wall start to loosen.

Detoxification Stage 3 (Day 8 to Day 15)

You will experience enhanced energy, clear-mindedness and feel better. On the downside, old injuries may become irritated and painful. This is a result of the body's increased ability to heal during fasting. If you had broken your arm 10 years before, there is scar tissue around the break. At the time of the break, the body's ability to heal was directly related to lifestyle. If you lived on a junk-food diet, the body's natural healing ability was compromised. During fasting, the body's healing process is at optimum efficiency. As the body scours for dead or damaged tissue, the lymphocytes enter the older, damaged tissue secreting substances to dissolve the damaged cells. These substances irritate the nerves in the surrounding region and cause a reoccurrence of aches from previously injured areas that may have disappeared years earlier. The pain is good as the body is completing the healing process. The muscles may become tight and sore due to toxin irritation. The legs can be the worst affected, as toxins accumulate in the legs. Cankers are common in this stage due to the excessive bacteria in the mouth. Daily gargling with salt and water will prevent or heal cankers.

Detoxification Stage 4 (Day 16 to Day 30)

The body is completely adapted to the fasting process. There is more energy and clarity of mind. Cleansing periods can be short with many days of feeling good in between. There are days when the tongue is pink and the breath is fresh. The healing work of the organs is being completed. After the detoxification mechanisms have removed the causative agent or render it harmless, the body works at maximum capacity in tissue proliferation to replace damaged tissue. After day 20, the mind is affected. Heightened clarity and emotional balance are felt at this time. Memory and concentration improve.

USA Gary Yuen: In the body, the first stage of cleansing removes large quantities of waste matter and digestive residues. The first few days of a fast can be rough due to the quantity of waste passing into the bloodstream. The tongue becomes coated and the breath foul as the body excretes waste through every opening. After the third day of the fast, there is little desire for food. The second stage is the cleansing of mucus, fat, and diseased and dying cells, and that more easily removes toxins. As the fast continues, the cleansing process becomes more thorough. The last stage is the cleansing of toxins that have been accumulating in cellular tissues and in the microscopic channels transporting vital elements everywhere in the body. Cleansing of the last layer is only possible through a combination of juice fasting, water fasting, and a healthy diet high in raw foods. To overcome a severe disease like cancer, it is important to continue through a series of fasts, to the point where the full scouring action of catabolism removes the disease from the tissue. - Ayurvedic Science of Food and Nutrition.That book summarizes ayurvedic research on nutrition but includes many Western sources. Above paragraph was quoted from web. http://www.falconblanco.com/health/fasting.htm

Colombia Enrique Jorge Galindo Bogota: What about Ekadasi, fast without grains and derivated, each month during one day, what happen in our body, its the moon important in this case?

USA Gary Yuen: Is that because a long fast is not recommended or the idea of cleaning all dhatus with a long fast is not true?

Dr. Bhavesh Modh: thoughtful question

Dr. Ghanshyam Varsa: In common language

Langhan is clearing the stocked files on the table of a clerk.

Either by increasing the speed of clearing the files ( deepan pachan - by increasing the jathragini) Or by working at the same speed & refusal to accept the new files for consideration ( break in foods or light liquid diet etc)

Dr. Pravin Tirmare: How can we advice Langhan to patients ?  Only ayurvedic views welcome ...How ? patints cant fast for anything

Dr. Bhadresh Naik: To whom require langhan

Those having bad habit of food

Overeating

Irregular diet habit

Lack exercise

Day sleep habit

Excessive water intake

Slovenia Anoop S. Anand: Personal opinion about laghu langhan

1. Drinking Jeera water

2. Honey+ Lemon+ warm water

3. Honey + Corriander powder + Fennel seeds powder

4. Akrut Mudag yush(ginger may be added)

Dr. Pravin Tirmare: I asked patients for langhan by 3 days and he shoked and tell no food for 3 days I will die ,

Dr. Ghanshyam Varsa: Honey + warm water

What all have to say ?( As warm honey should be avoided )

Dr Jaydeep: No one dies due to fasting... Ppl mostly dies due to overeating only..

Dr. Pravin Tirmare: Yes warm honey is poison.But patients in rular donn no that ,

Slovenia Anoop S. Anand: Honey should not be heated(relative)thats true...warm means say sheetoshna water……. Or lukewarm

Dr. Ghanshyam Varsa: It works ( honey + lukewarm water )

But Will it harm in long run ?

Dr. Pravin Tirmare: Then my Guruji give me solution about that as give them any churn specially sunthi and mustha and tell add  1 tsf of this to mudgayusha  and take it bid only and do not eat anything for 3 days. Yes it works !!

I think patients refuse to fast in for long time then this idea is better

Dr. Ghanshyam Varsa: Only Fruits in diet may help a lot

Dr. J. T. Contractor: If one wants to repair any engine it has to be put off the power supply, say if power is food & engine if stomach one can well understand if he/she wants get body in fit condition has to stop food till fitness regained, that's simple as it is

USA Gary Yuen: About warm honey, from same nutrition book. « The scientific evidence does demonstrate that antioxidants in honey do increase with low levels of heating, and NO decreases with heating. But it is not known how this might impact health, and no studies to date have examined phytochemical changes in a mixture of equal parts honey and ghee. Thus there is currently no scientific explanation for Ayurveda’s prohibition on mixing equal parts honey and ghee. »

Dr. Pravin Tirmare: Dr. Langhan is no food at all so fruits not applicable

Dr. Ravindra Upadhyay: During Ekadashi ideally one should be on fruits but definitely not  on Sabudana, potato, fried items, milkshake.

USA Gary Yuen: 'NO' is nitric oxide. Decreased with heating honey.

Dr. Shyamsundar Raithatha: But Ayurveda says not to heat honey

Dr. Pravin Tirmare:

USA Gary Yuen: Yes. Just saying studies found decrease in nitric oxide ('NO') but they don't understand if important. Maybe didn't test other things. Another study tested ghee and heated and unheated honey in non equal amounts in rats. Only tested organ weight and found no difference in that.

Dr. Pravin Tirmare: Warm honey is poison only . Even do not eat hot food tea milk etc. For 1 or 2 hrs after consuming honey

Dr. Ravindra Upadhyay: Scientific reasons found on the net, why not to heat.

USA Gary Yuen: Sometimes long fasts are done with milk. Is there any other substitute if local milk quality is bad? Or do lighter fasts with lighter soups and juices?

Dr. Ghanshyam Varsa: Dr Praveen each & every patient is unique in itself so

some times no food,

some times less food,

some times fruit juices,

Some times soups,

Some times only water

We have to plan like this,

We can not be rigid all the times,

We have to be flexible as per patient.

USA Gary Yuen: For instance many places pasturize milk and that is maybe very different from raw. Easier to notice when relying on milk as only food.

Dr. Ghanshyam Varsa: Soya milk may an option to milk,

It may be prepared at home too.

USA Gary Yuen: But soya milk is just soybean and water. As you say, it is just for me, so if i attempt a long fast everyday i can adjust if i feel i need soup or juice or something else.

Dr. Pravin Tirmare: Yes but for curing disease langhana with only mudgayush and or laja is better in ayurvedic terms

USA Gary Yuen: So milk fasts are not used in Ayurveda? I thought they were. Or maybe not as good?

If using laja, is it healther to use raktashali and maybe cook for many many hours?

Vd. Tanuja Gokhale: Milk diet is suggested in Grahani ~ IBS, Cancer, Tuberculosis

USA Gary Yuen: I think you mean moong and rice. Do you mean together as kitchari or there are separate reasons to use only one?

Vd. Tanuja Gokhale: Any grain used single is easy to digest. Khichari ie combo is heavy.

Dr. Ravindra Upadhyay: Use of Bhaidaku is very much useful. It comprises of moong, jowari, Barli  Nachani.  Easy to digest.It is available in all provision stores in mumbai, gujarat

USA Gary Yuen: In cases

dr. Ghanshyam Varsa: As per my experience Khichri is not heavy.

:Dr. Arvind Shahane: Sir

In pitta +aam

Yukta Pt

What will give for langhan?

If starting langhan his /her pitta increasing and start headache

Vomiting

Dr. Ghanshyam Varsa: Jwar, barle are also light in digestion but may increase vata dosha

Dr. Arvind Shahane: In this case sir

Dr. Ghanshyam Varsa: In such case We can not stop food totally.Yavagu may be given.We should add some herbs also as medicine.Only langhan will take more time

USA Gary Yuen: I know someone with food allergies. Milk sesame and other. Pitta kapha i think. Besides diet and maybe herbs like pippali triphala guduchi. Maybe short safe fasts like one day a week or short fasts of a few days kitchari or rice to see if tolerated? Since i am not doctor, don't want to recommend what i don't understand but small steps and viewing results might be ok.

Dr. Sushant Patil: Allergy is discussed in Ayurved ? Means Satmya asatmya terms can not be equal to allergy

Dr. Jyoti Ashok: Honey must not b consumed with  hot water.it is viruddashana aahara.sushrutha clearly says v should not consume honey in greeshma when temp.is hot,it should not b kept in sun,should not b consumed when body temperature is more.thats the reason that while preparing lehya etc.v add honey in the end when the prepared mixture is completely cooled.

USA Gary Yuen: Does that mean just excess of dosha, ama, lack of agni and malnutrition?

Dr. Yogin Patel: Madh( honey ) with equall quantity water also poison ?

May be in charak s 26/27

Vd. Prerak Shah: Dear all, let's conclude this subject of discussion (Fasting). It was really very interesting. Thank you.

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Compilation courtesy : Vd. Kinshuk Hirpara