New Delhi: A special issue of the research publication of the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), Ministry of Ayush, the Journal of Drug Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (JDRAS), was released today by Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush in the presence of Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS, and senior officials and researchers of the Council. This special edition of JDRAS is dedicated to the emerging field of Ayurveda Aahara. It represents a significant step forward in the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to bridge traditional Ayurvedic dietary wisdom with modern scientific understanding.
The word AYUSH is derived from the Sanskrit phrase ayusmanbhava which means long life. This phrase blesses a healthy long life.
The Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology universally adopted the term AYUSH for traditional and non–conventional systems of health care and healing which include Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Naturopathy, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, Homoeopathy. The entire system of medicine under the umbrella of AYUSH. It is the time-tested holistic approach to health care and healing.
Fundamentally, AYUSH provides an integrative healthcare modality for complete physical, mental, social, and spiritual health. Due to its importance, the system under AYUSH is honored as part of religion far beyond science. The AYUSH system has been serving human beings since the prehistoric period.
“Our research on Ayurveda Aahara has gained international recognition, highlighting the value of Ayurveda’s dietary practices in modern food science. With FSSAI now recognizing Ayurveda Aahara, CCRAS is at the forefront, aligning traditional wisdom with global health priorities to offer sustainable, science-backed nutritional solutions for today’s challenges.”Prof. Rabinarayan Acharya, Director General, CCRAS
The traditional wisdom of Ayurveda recognizes food as a foundation for health and wellness. This understanding, which has long guided communities in making healthy dietary choices, is now supported by the Ministry of Ayush and FSSAI’s regulatory framework
CCRAS aims to bridge traditional knowledge and modern health practices. The Council has conducted survey studies across regions to document conventional dietary practices and recipes handed down through generations. Scientific validation efforts are being carried out to verify these foods.
At the same time, the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Ayurveda-based recipes ensures quality and consistency in their preparation. These initiatives contribute to creating evidence-based dietary guidelines relevant to contemporary society, making Ayurveda Aahara accessible and acceptable to a global audience.
CCRAS’s extensive research initiatives highlight how Ayurveda Ahara can meet modern public health demands. Validating recipes and ingredients, CCRAS aims to bring scientifically proven benefits of Ayurveda Aahara into mainstream dietary practices, helping individuals make healthier, informed choices.
With the launch of this special JDRAS issue, CCRAS reiterates its commitment to further exploring and validating Ayurveda’s dietary heritage. The studies featured in this special issue emphasize how integrating scientific methods enriches the Ayurvedic perspective on nutrition, offering a unique blend of tradition and evidence-based health solutions.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Swati Sharma/MSM)