AYURVEDIC REVIEW ARTICLE ON DESHA

Dr. Kanchan Shivshankar Kadam*

In Ayurveda, desha refers to bhumi desha [geograph ical land] and atura desha [patients]. Both of them are interrelated and have been extensively described in the classics. A geographical land is characterized by the type of soil, which plays a vital role in climate, water cycle, rainfall etc. These are a few essential factors needed for the survival of humans. Bhumi Desha is one such factor which influences the health and disease of an individual. Knowledge of the place in which a person is born helps in determining its strength, while knowledge of the pla ce where the person is living determines the susceptibility to disease occurring. Understanding the geographical land gives an extensive idea about the properties of drugs. Desha plays a vital role in the causation of epidemic, endemic or pandemic disease. Three types of geographical lands are described in Ayurveda jangal desha [dry lands], anupa desha [wetlands] and sadharana desha [mixed dry and wet land]. The three biological entities Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha of an individual have an extensive relatio nship with these lands. bhumi desha and atura desha are interrelated, affecting the latter in many areas.