In recent days, Ayurveda is more and more being associated with spirituality, hence a notion is there among people that, if you are on Ayurvedic medicines, then you should follow a vegetarian diet. If one is a firm follower of practical spirituality, and if one considers Ayurveda as a serious medical system, then here is the answer with detailed explanation to the question – Is Ayurveda vegetarian? can be explored.
The concept of vegetarian diet: In ancient Indian period, the concept of total vegetarianism was non existent. In Vedas, and Puranas, there is mentioning of non vegetarian diet and its qualities etc. The famous “Vatapi Jeerno bhava” incident in Agastya Maharishi is a classical example for prevalence of non vegetarian diet in those times.
The Hindus adopted the total vegetarian system after Buddhism spread across India. It is the classical nature of the Hindus to be flexible and to adopt any good thing from any other religion.
Is Ayurveda vegetarian ?
Ayurveda is not totally vegetarian by any stretch of imagination. Mamsarasa – the meat soup is explained in all the classical texts as the best medicine for extreme emaciation. It reduces tiredness due to Pitta imbalance (for example working under Sun for long hours), ideal for those who do daily exercise, improves voice strength, skin quality, immunity etc. (Reference: Charaka samhita Sutra sthana 27/312-325).
Aswagandhadi leham, also known as Ajaswagandhadi lehyam conains meat as an ingredient, along with other herbs. [Some companies manufacture it without meat as an ingredient]
Varients of meat soup are explained as Vesavara in Bhavaprakasha, another classical Ayurvedic text.
Conclusion:
Ayurveda does not say that one should follow total vegetarianism.
The non vegetarian diet has its own medicinal significance in Ayurveda.
It does not mean that everybody should have non vegetarian diet. One who is accustomed to it, can have it and one who is not, may not have it.
One of the reasons why total vegetarian diet is encouraged is because non veg is claimed to increase Tamas. Which, according to spirituality, is true.
Following non vegetarian diet will not have any bad effects on herbal Ayurvedic pills that one might be taking. One can have non veg, during his Ayurvedic medication period. There is no rule that non veg should not be taken while one is on Ayurvedic medicines.
P.S: I am a total vegetarian and am not trying to advertise / promote non vegetarianism.
Hello doctor.
It was an interesting read. This would clarify peoples doubt of whether ayurveda is vegetarien.
I would like to write few things , which I think is amiss here.
First of all the diet during intake of medicine is not with regard to the medicine but with respect to the disease. So if the disease condition aggravates with non veg intake then it has to be avoided and there are many diseases which worsens with it.
Secondly some medicines like gugguluthiktakam is usually advised with purely veg diet.
These are only my views on this matter… I understand , this article is about clarifying whether ayurveda is vegetarian or not.
Dear Dr Nimi, Many thanks for your kind comments. Yes. I do concur with you.
hello doctor. i bought ajaaswagandhadi leham a few days back, and then it struck me ‘aja’ and checked ingredients to see ajamamsam. i felt very bad as i am a vegetarian for ethical/moral reasons.
i would like to ask you whether aswagandhaadi leham is as effective as the non veg version. what are the drawbacks of aswagandhaadi leham compared to ajaaswagandhaadi.
also are there other ayurvedic medicines that are nonveg in nature? if so, could you kindly list them so that the patient knows beforehand what he is getting into.
thank you
Hello Vin, Aja ashwagandhadi lehyam is a big embarrassment to many vegetarians.
Please note that some manufacturers label it as ashwagandhadi lehyam, and yet, it contains aja mamsam or chaga mamsam as an ingredient.
So, it is very important to read the ingredients, rather than go with the name of the product.
For easy understanding, let us assume that Aswagandhadi lehyam = veg version
and Aja ashwagandhadi lehyam = non veg version.
both the variants are targetted towards
1. To improve strength of the muscles,
2. To relieve mental fatigue,
3. As a medicine for treating unreasonable tiredness
4. To restore strength of people who have been medicated or who have been ill for quite a long period
5. To improve digestive power.
So, Aja ashwagandhadi lehyam (non veg) has more effect on point number 1, than plain ashwagandhadi lehyam.
From point 2 to point 5, both are equally capable. I would even say that plain version is better in improving digestive power than the non veg version.
I will make a list of non veg Ayurveda medicines and will publish it soon. Thanks for the valuable advice.
Is Zandu Kesari Jivan Vegetarian?
-Amit
Yes it is a vegetarian Ayurvedic product.
Dear Doctor,
I have just started taking medications for Sinusitis after consulting a doctor. I have not used Ayurvedic medicine for a long time although I know the benefits. I checked out the various medicines on the net. I was prescribed eosinophal, 2+2+2 where as I saw the recommended dose everywhere as 1 – 0 – 1. I am not trying to check out on my doctor but just addressing my concerns.
Thanks
JV
Dear JV,
In Ayurvedic medicines, the recommended dosage displayed on the label is just for information. It is the doctor who would decide the dose, his patient needs. So, your doctor is right in fixing the dose by himself. That does not mean that for everyone, dosage of Eosinophal is 2-2-2. It depends on various parameters like age of the patient, seriousness of the disease, season, Dosha imbalance, etc.
Thank you Doctor for the prompt response, much appreciated. So it is safe for me to take the 2-2-2 for Eosino phal right? Sorry for my allopathic reasoning.
Thanks & regards
JV
For you, 2-2-2 is fine for the suggested time period, since it is the decision of your Ayurvedic doctor.
Thank you Doctor, understood.
rgds
JV