Congenital diseases & Ayurveda (Genetics)

Ayurveda had a deep insight into the origin of congenital diseases. It is evident from the following line from a book called Sushruta Samhita (sutra sthana. 24/4)

“Tatra adibalapravritta ye Shukrashonita doshanvayah, Kustarshaprabrutayah, tc api dvividhah"

- Matrujah Pitrujahscha.

Adibalapravritta diseases a groups of illnesses which are attributed to defects inherent in either the shukra (the male reproductive element) and shonita (the female reproductive element) which form the primary factors of being.

Examples are skin disease like vitiligo (leucoderma) , arshas, (Haemarrhoides), meha (diabetes) etc. Even in Charaka Samhita which is regarded as one of the oldest texts in Ayurveda, there is a references about genes. He called it Bijabhagavayava, meaning bija (meaning seed indicating) male sperm & female ovum bijabhaga indicating chromosomes. Bijabhagavayava indicating genes. If parents have certain diseases by the imbalance of vata pitta or kaphas then it is reflected in the bijabhagavayava, and hence can cause illness of the offspring.

Hence ayurveda advises cleansing of the male & female body before planning to have a child and to take rejuvenation therapy to restore health which prevents the appearence of genetic disorders.