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<p style="text-align:justify;">The word ‘langhana’ represents therapeutic fasting, hunger or intentional starving.<ref>Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, Langhana, Page 895</ref> In broader perspective, it includes the therapies intended for reducing or depleting or lightening the body components. This is one among the six basic treatment protocols in Ayurveda. [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 22/4] This therapy is applied to reduce any abnormally increased body component and bring it back to normal level to maintain equilibrium. It is indicated in the abnormal accumulation of [[dosha]] ([[pitta]]/[[kapha]]/[[rakta]]), any waste product, state of [[dosha]] associated with [[ama]], and indigestion. Langhana therapy can be advised with or without any medication. [Chakrapani on Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 22/12-13] <br/>

The word ‘langhana’ represents therapeutic fasting, hunger or intentional starving.<ref>Monier-Williams, Monier-Williams Sanskrit- English Dictionary, 1st edition; Oxford University Press, Langhana, Page 895</ref> In broader perspective, it includes the therapies intended for reducing or depleting or lightening the body components. This is one among the six basic treatment protocols in Ayurveda. [Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 22/4] This therapy is applied to reduce any abnormally increased body component and bring it back to normal level to maintain equilibrium. It is indicated in the abnormal accumulation of [[dosha]] ([[pitta]]/[[kapha]]/[[rakta]]), any waste product, state of [[dosha]] associated with [[ama]], and indigestion. Langhana therapy can be advised with or without any medication. [Chakrapani on Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 22/12-13]  

   

   

Langhana therapy is highly effective and increasingly popular in management of diseases due to overnutrition. The most popular forms of langhana therapy are fasting (upavasa) and exercise ([[vyayama]]). This article deals with various forms of langhana therapy in broader perspectives.

Langhana therapy is highly effective and increasingly popular in management of diseases due to overnutrition. The most popular forms of langhana therapy are fasting (upavasa) and exercise ([[vyayama]]). This article deals with various forms of langhana therapy in broader perspectives.

 

{{Infobox

{{Infobox

|label2 = Authors

|label2 = Authors

|data2 =Aneesh E.G.¹, Chaudhary Sujata ², Deole Yogesh S. ¹

|data2 =Aneesh E.G.¹, Choudhary Sujata ², [[Yogesh Deole|Deole Yogesh S.]]¹

|label3 = Reviewed and Edited by  

|label3 = Reviewed and Edited by  

|data3 = Basisht G.¹

|data3 = [[Gopal Basisht|Basisht G.]]¹

|label4 = Affiliations

|label4 = Affiliations

|data4 = ¹[[Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre]], I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India, ²Assistant professor, Shri Santpal Singh Ayurved Medical College and Hospital, Mirzapur, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India  

|data4 = ¹[[Charak Samhita Research, Training and Development Centre]], I.T.R.A., Jamnagar, India,  

²Assistant professor, Shri Santanpal Singh Ayurved Medical College and Hospital, Mirzapur, Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India  

   

   

|label5 = Correspondence email:

|label5 = Correspondence email:

|data5 = carakasamhita@gmail.com

|data5 = draneesheg@gmail.com,

carakasamhita@gmail.com

 

|label6 = Date of first publication:

|label7 = Date of first publication:

|data6 = April 1, 2021

|data7 = April 1, 2021

|label7 = DOI

|label8 = DOI

|data7 = Awaited

|data8 = 10.47468/CSNE.2021.e01.s09.047

}}

}}

*Roughness (khara): Roughness promotes movement of obstructed sticky body components to cleanse up channels.

*Roughness (khara): Roughness promotes movement of obstructed sticky body components to cleanse up channels.

*Unstable/flowing (sara): Sara property improves flow and proper channelization of body waste for excretion.

*Unstable/flowing (sara): Sara property improves flow and proper channelization of body waste for excretion.

*Hard (kathina): Substances without water or unctuousness are hard in consistency. These are applied in langhana therapy to reduce fat and moisture components.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 22/12-13]

*Hard (kathina): Substances without water or unctuousness are hard in consistency.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 22/12-13]

==[[Panchamahabhuta]] composition==

==[[Panchamahabhuta]] composition==

11.Exposure to sunlight (atapa)

11.Exposure to sunlight (atapa)

12.Exposure to wind/breathing exercises(maruta) [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 14/6-7]<ref name=Hridaya/>

12.Exposure to wind/breathing exercises (maruta) [A.Hr. Sutra Sthana 14/6-7]<ref name=Hridaya/>

Bloodletting (asravisruti) and appetizers ([[deepana]]) are excluded from langhana therapy by Charaka.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 22/18]

Bloodletting (asravisruti) and appetizers ([[deepana]]) are excluded from langhana therapy by Charaka.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] 22/18]

Langhana therapies especially fasting is the first line of therapy in many disorders. It is advocated in the initial stage of following diseases.

Langhana therapies especially fasting is the first line of therapy in many disorders. It is advocated in the initial stage of following diseases.

*[[Jwara]] [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 3/139] can be treated with only fasting (langhana) [Cha.Sa.[[Nidana Sthana]] 8/31] if it is associated with toxic metabolic waste ([[ama]]) or during the predominance of [[kapha]] or [[kapha]] and [[pitta]] [[dosha]]. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 3/284] The [[kapha]] predominant stage of chronic intermittent pattern of [[jwara]] can also be managed through reducing (langhana) therapies. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 3/295] The patients who are unsuitable for oleation and purificatory therapies are treated by langhana therapies.  [Su.Sa.Uttara Sthana 39/99]<ref name=Susruta/>

*[[Jwara]] [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 3/139] can be treated with only fasting (langhana) [Cha.Sa.[[Nidana Sthana]] 8/31] if it is associated with toxic metabolic waste ([[ama]]) or during the predominance of [[kapha]] or [[kapha]] and [[pitta]] [[dosha]]. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 3/284] The [[kapha]] predominant stage of chronic intermittent pattern of [[jwara]] can also be managed through reducing (langhana) therapies. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 3/295] The patients who are unsuitable for oleation and purificatory therapies are treated by langhana therapies.  [Su.Sa.Uttara Sthana 39/99]<ref name=Susruta/>

*Bleeding disorders (raktapitta) especially through the upper orifices (eyes, mouth and nose) as it is associated with [[pitta]] along with toxic biological waste (same [[pitta]]) and [[kapha]][[dosha]]. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 4/30]

*Bleeding disorders (raktapitta) especially through the upper orifices (eyes, mouth and nose) as it is associated with [[pitta]] along with toxic biological waste (sama [[pitta]]) and [[kapha]][[dosha]]. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 4/30]

*Abdominal tumors (gulma) caused due to [[kapha]][[dosha]]. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 5/49]

*Abdominal tumors (gulma) caused due to [[kapha]][[dosha]]. [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 5/49]

*Swelling associated with toxic biological waste ([[ama]]) [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 12/17]

*Swelling associated with toxic biological waste ([[ama]]) [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 12/17]

*Noninfectious gastroenteritis (visuchika). [Cha.Sa.[Vimana Sthana]] 2/13]

*Noninfectious gastroenteritis (visuchika). [Cha.Sa.[[Vimana Sthana]] 2/13]

*Vomiting (chchardi) as it is considered to be originating from the agitations of the [[dosha]]s in the stomach (amashaya). [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 20/20]  

*Vomiting (chchardi) as it is considered to be originating from the agitations of the [[dosha]]s in the stomach (amashaya). [Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] 20/20]  

*All diseases which originates from the stomach (amashaya) can be treated through fasting (langhana). [Cha.Sa.[[Nidana Sthana]] 8/31]

*All diseases which originates from the stomach (amashaya) can be treated through fasting (langhana). [Cha.Sa.[[Nidana Sthana]] 8/31]

===Current strategies of fasting and langhana therapy===

===Current strategies of fasting and langhana therapy===

   

   

In current times, a pattern of intermittent fasting is advised for health benefits and management of metabolic diseases. Intermittent fasting, or intermittent energy restriction, includes various meal timing schedules that cycle between voluntary fasting (or reduced calorie intake) and non-fasting over a given period.<ref>de Cabo, Rafael; Mattson, Mark P. (December 2019). "Effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease". New England Journal of Medicine. 381 (26): 2541–51. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1905136. PMID 31881139. Available from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermittent_fasting accessed on 30/03/2021</ref> Methods of intermittent fasting include alternate-day fasting (ADF), periodic fasting, and daily time-restricted feeding. The other strategies of fasting include calory restricted diet, periodic fasting, fasting-mimicking diet, meal frequency and meal timing.

In current times, a pattern of intermittent fasting is advised for health benefits and management of metabolic diseases. Intermittent fasting, or intermittent energy restriction, includes various meal timing schedules that cycle between voluntary fasting (or reduced calorie intake) and non-fasting over a given period.<ref>de Cabo, Rafael; Mattson, Mark P. (December 2019). "Effects of intermittent fasting on health, aging, and disease". New England Journal of Medicine. 381 (26): 2541–51. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1905136. PMID 31881139. Available from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermittent_fasting accessed on 30/03/2021</ref> Methods of intermittent fasting include alternate-day fasting (ADF), periodic fasting, and daily time-restricted feeding. The other strategies of fasting include calorie restricted diet, periodic fasting, fasting-mimicking diet, meal frequency and meal timing.

Ayurveda advised taking meals in proper quantity, at proper time and with proper methods (ahara vidhi) for preservation of health. A group of researchers observed kaalabhojana (optimal food at proper time) has additional health benefits over time restricted feeding. Kalabhojanam does not mean that food can be taken at will during the 24 hours. It must be in coherence with daily regimen (dinacharya) and sleep-wake timings as per day-night cycle. Consuming food just once a day is the best strategy [Cha.Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 25/40] and will automatically have a longer fasting period. The second meal shall be in accordance [[agni]] and sleep cycle. Thus, the feeding time must remain restricted during morning to evening (i.e., a maximum of 12-hour eating window during day and thus a minimum 12-hour gap during night), and not during the night. Thus, it extends the window between evening meal and morning meal. This may vary as per the digestion capacity and body constitution of individual.<ref>Prakash NP et.al. Prevention of metabolic risks by Kalabhojanam strategy of Ayurveda.Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine 2020; 9(2):116-129.</ref> The personified langhana therapies can be more beneficial as per the guidelines described above after consideration of body constitution, state of [[dosha]], strength of individual and digestion capacity. These guidelines, if followed while prescribing fasting strategies can yield more health benefits.

Ayurveda advised taking meals in proper quantity, at proper time and with proper methods (ahara vidhi) for preservation of health. A group of researchers observed kaalabhojana (optimal food at proper time) has additional health benefits over time restricted feeding. Kalabhojanam does not mean that food can be taken at will during the 24 hours. It must be in coherence with daily regimen (dinacharya) and sleep-wake timings as per day-night cycle. Consuming food just once a day is the best strategy [Cha.Sa. [[Sutra Sthana]] 25/40] and will automatically have a longer fasting period. The second meal shall be in accordance [[agni]] and sleep cycle. Thus, the feeding time must remain restricted during morning to evening (i.e., a maximum of 12-hour eating window during day and thus a minimum 12-hour gap during night), and not during the night. Thus, it extends the window between evening meal and morning meal. This may vary as per the digestion capacity and body constitution of individual.<ref>Prakash NP et.al. Prevention of metabolic risks by Kalabhojanam strategy of Ayurveda.Annals of Ayurvedic Medicine 2020; 9(2):116-129. Available from https://www.aamjournal.in/fulltext/70-1590829531.pdf</ref> The personified langhana therapies can be more beneficial as per the guidelines described above after consideration of body constitution, state of [[dosha]], strength of individual and digestion capacity. These guidelines, if followed while prescribing fasting strategies can yield more health benefits.

   

   

Fasting is beneficial in metabolic syndrome by decreasing fasting glucose, fasting insulin and insulin resistance. It also reduces the cardiovascular risk factors like total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides etc. In diabetic patients improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance was reported immediately after a fast.<ref name=Antonsd/>

Fasting is beneficial in metabolic syndrome by decreasing fasting glucose, fasting insulin and insulin resistance. It also reduces the cardiovascular risk factors like total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides etc. In diabetic patients improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance was reported immediately after a fast.<ref name=Antonsd/>

The list of references for langhana in Charak Samhita can be seen[[Media:List_of_references_for_word_langhana.pdf| here.]]

The list of references for langhana in Charak Samhita can be seen[[Media:List_of_references_for_word_langhana.pdf| here.]]

==References==

==References==

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