Arochaka Nidanam – 14th Chapter Of Madhav Nidanam

Introduction

Arochaka, according to Ayurveda, is a major disorder characterized by a loss of appetite, disinterest in eating, and inappropriate or abnormal taste perception. An appropriate relationship with food and the ability to enjoy its taste are believed to be crucial elements for healthy digestion and the general condition of a person. Arochaka is viewed in Ayurveda as a framework for considering the imbalance of the Doshas as well as the effect of physical and psychological aspects on appetite. The Madhava Nidana is an ancient text, which discusses the Arochaka condition and its causes (Nidana), symptoms (Lakshana), and types. The Arochaka types include Vataja, Pittaja, Kaphaja, Sannipataja, and Manasika, which points at the significance of the Doshas as well as psychological disorders in the development of Arochaka. The study of the Arochaka according to Madhava Nidana allows one to better understand the diagnostic aspects of Arochaka and to show the importance of the physical and psychological components of the disorder in relation to appetite and taste perception.

Arochaka Nidanam – 14th Chapter Of Madhav Nidanam

Nidana (Causative Factors)

वातादिभिः शोकभयातिलोभक्रोधैरहृद्याशनरूपगन्धैः ।
अरोचकाः स्युः ॥ (Charaka chikitsa Ch 26 shloka 124)

Madhava Nidana states that Arochaka occurs because of derangement of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas along with mental issues and unpleasant experiences. Some of the causes are:

Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas: The dysfunction of the three doshas can disrupt the normal sense of taste and appetite.

Shoka: Sorrow.
Bhaya: Fear.
Atilobha: Extreme greed.
Krodha: Anger.
Ahṛdya Ashana: Unappetizing food.
Ahṛdya Rupa: Unpleasant contrasts.
Ahṛdya Gandha: Unpleasant odors.

Classification Of Arochaka

Vataja Arochaka
Pittaja Arochaka
Kaphaja Arochaka
Sannipataja Arochaka
Manasika or Agantuja Arochaka

Vataja Arochaka Lakshana

परिहृष्टदन्तः कषायवक्त्रश्च मतोऽनिलेन ॥ (Charak chikitsa Ch 26 shloka 124)

Vataja Arochaka arises because of the elevation of Vata Dosha. As per Madhava Nigraha, the person suffers from Parihrishta Danta, which indicates a feeling of discomfort in teeth and gums, and Kashaya Vaktra, which represents a strange taste in the mouth. These signs lead to an unhappy experience in the mouth and a decrease of interest in food. Typically, this incident is known to be a result of elevated Vata Dosha, which leads to abnormal taste and appetite.

Pittaja Arochaka Lakshana

कट्वम्लमुष्णं विरसं च पूति पित्तेन विद्याल्लवणं च वक्त्रम् ।
मधुर्यपैच्छिल्यगुरुत्वशैत्यविबद्धसम्बद्धयुतं कफेन ॥ २ ॥ (Charak chikitsa Ch 26 shloka 124)

Pittaja Arochaka is seen in the patient due to the aggravation of Pitta Dosha. The patient experiences Katu, Amla, Ushna, Virasa, and Puti in Madhava Nidana according to Ayurveda. The patient may also have Lavana. These abnormal taste sensations create distaste for the food and will suppress the appetite of the patient. In Ayurveda, Ushna and Tikshna properties of Pitta give rise to these taste changes leading to Arochaka.

Kaphaja Arochaka Lakshana

माधुर्य – पैच्छिल्य – गुरुत्व – शैत्य – विबद्धसम्बद्धयुतं कफेन ॥ २ ॥ (Charak chikitsa Ch 26 shloka 125)

Kaphaja Arochaka occurs due to the increase in the Kapha dosha. Based on the information found in the book Madhava Nidana, the sick person feels some sweetness in the mouth (Madhurya), a slippery sensation (Paicchilya), heaviness in the mouth (Gurutva), and coldness in the mouth (Shaitya). The patient may experience a feeling of obstruction or coating in the mouth (Vibaddha-Sambaddha). The given symptoms make eating less appealing. The terms used in Ayurveda refer to the aspects of Kaphaja Arochaka being the statement that it is characterized by the Guru (heavy), Snigdha (oily), and Picchila (slimy) properties.

Agantuja Arochaka Lakshana

अरोचके शोकभयातिलोभक्रोधाद्यहृद्याशुचिगन्धजे स्यात् ।
स्वाभाविकं चास्यमथारुचिश्च ॥ (Charak chikitsa Ch 26 shloka 126)

Agantuja Arochaka is caused by some external factors and mental disturbances like sorrow (Shokha), fear (Bhaya), excessive greed (Atilobha), anger (Krodha), bad food (Ahṛdya Ashana), bad sight (Ahṛdya Rupa), and foul or bad smell (Ashuchi Gandha). As per Madhava Nidana, the patient has a normal taste sensation but has developed an aversion to food and has no desire to eat. Therefore, unlike the Dosha-based Arochaka where there are abnormal tastes, Agantuja Arochaka is mainly connected with psychological factors and unpleasant sensations.

Tridoshaja Arochaka Lakshana

त्रिदोषजे नैकरसं भवेत् तु ॥ (Charak chikitsa Ch 26 shloka 124)

Tridoshaja Arochaka is brought about as a result of aggravation of all three Doshas (body humors) – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, at the same time. According to Madhava Nidana, the patient has Naika Rasa, or many different and abnormal tastes, in the mouth. The mouth becomes acutely intolerable as the result of the action of all three Doshas. The new taste leads to indifference towards food and refusal to eat. So, the main characteristic of Tridoshaja Arochaka is the presence of many different tastes in the mouth, which causes Arochaka (loss of appetite).

Arochaka Samanya Lakshana

हृच्छूलपीडनयुतं पवनेन, पित्तात्तृड्दाहचोषबहुलं, सकफप्रसेकम् ।
श्लेष्मात्मकं, बहुरुजं बहुभिश्च विद्याद्वैगुण्यमोहजडताभिरथापरं च ॥ (Sushruta Uttara Tantra Ch 57 shloka 4)

As the Madhava Nidana notes, each type of Arochaka shows different signs and symptoms that are linked to the type of Dosha involved in the disorder. Vataja Arochaka is indicated by a sensation of pain and pressure in the heart area (Hritshula and Peedana). Pittaja Arochaka involves thirst (Trishna), a burning sensation (Daha), and dryness (Chosha) of the body. Kaphaja Arochaka is in fact a case of heightened secretion of saliva (Praseka). Finally, Sannipataja Arochaka occurs when all three Doshas take part in this disorder and this type is shown through a variety of pains (Bahuruja), functional disorder (Vaigunya), confusion (Moha), or weakness (Jadata). Thus, different forms of Arochaka can be distinguished on the basis of the Dosha predominating in them.

Conclusion

Arochaka Nidana, which is discussed in Madhava Nidana, gives an understanding of the causes, the features, and the types of Arochaka. Arochaka describes a condition where an individual is unable to develop an interest in eating food and tastes, and the text also states that several factors contribute to this condition. Some of these factors are the disturbance of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha as well as emotional factors, such as grief, fear, and anger. The types of Arochaka can include the forms of Vataja, Pittaja, Kaphaja, Sannipataja, and Manasika Arochaka. Knowledge of Nidana and symptoms is important in terms of understanding Doshas of the individuals.