DEFINITION

Fasting is defined as “complete voluntary abstinence from taking any kind of food for particular time,in order to give rest to digestive system”.It helps to get rid of flesh tainted with toxic filth.It is one of the hygienic practices,which gives rest for digestive system and radical cure of diseases.It is one of the cheapest and important modes of treatment

CLASSIFICATION

1. According to duration

• short duration-2-5 days mainly with water and fruits
• intermittent -1-2  days with satvika diet
• long duration-more than 10 days

2.Depending upon the purpose of fasting

• political
• religious
• therpeutic

3.Depending on the method of fasting

• dry fasting-without drinking water
• water fasting-for acute diseases
• juice fasting-acidic-in obesity and respiratory disease & alkaline – in kidney disorder diabetes
• fruit fasting-weak person
• mono diet fasting-only one type of diet in meal

4.Depending on condition

• fasting in healthy
• fasting in acutely ill
• fasting in chronically ill

PURPOSE OF FASTING

A man who treats his stomach unfairly,by injudicious eating,i.e eating without hunger,by over eating etc man becomes sick.He can be cured of his illness by fasting or eating in less quantity.Highest level of vital economy is achieved by fasting.

EFFECTS OF FASTING

According to Chandogya upanishad ,life is made of water ,so one can fast on water alone,but not too long a time.Sunlight ,air and ether help to sustain life during fast.Body gets rid of the flesh tainted with toxic filth.The person feels weak as the body is in the process of eliminating foreign mater.It is temporary weakness

FASTING IN ACUTE DISEASES

One should fast till the disease subsides and person has sense of lightness.One should break the fast in proper way and help to re establish the health

FASTING IN CHRONIC DISEASES

Long fasts  are contra indicated.Short fasts are recommended with proper interval.When patient is not fasting,positive foods will not deposit foreign matter in the body should be taken sufficiently.As the life force is weak due to unhygienic living,occasional short fasts will be ideal to remove the accumulated morbid matter.Latent disease will be alleviated by right dieting and occasional fasting.In case of chronic disease where there is no hunger ,person may fast from 3-5 days.If there is no return days of hunger,patient should take positive diet for few days and then again fast

METHOD OF FASTING

Fasting is considered not from the last meal,but after the meal has been digested.One should drink water when ever he feels hungry.Daily from sunrise the faster should be without food for 6 hours or more , until natural hunger is experienced and then take light meal with positive food.If one takes 2 meals per day,it is ideal.

Chronically ill patients are unfit for fasting.They can be provided with highly positive drink,not more than four times per day.Even fasting daily for few days in a month can also be indicated.One should drink water when ever he feels thirsty.

FASTING IN DESTRUCTIVE DISEASES

Fast every day for few hours,Take less food which is light and positive in nature,Fresh fruits,vegetables,raw and uncooked food are indicated.Avoid milk,flesh and other heavy foods

ACUTE EFFECTS OF FASTING ON THE BODY

1. Formation of gas-disintegration of old putrid matter leads to gas formation
2. Temperature increases in first few days
3. cotton mouth-combination of morbid elements takes place and filth is expelled through mouth ,leads to coating of tongue which is called as cotton mouth
4. By third and fourth day mucous membrane of intestine starts eliminating morbid matter ,indicated by fetid breath and coated tongue
5. bilious vomiting produced due to hepatomegaly
6. offensive perspiration  again due to expulsion of morbid matter
7. breaking down of tissues produce increased worne out cells and other morbid matter

PREPATION

It is safe to prepare system for the fast through low protein diet,rich in positive minerals or raw food diet.For prolonged fast supplement in the form of dilute acid,acid fruit juices which have neutralizing effect on toxins and elimination effect.They are splendid tonics ,antiseptics and life elements

BREAKING THE FAST

Small quantity of light food,which can be digested easily like dilute fruit juices,tender coconut water,vegetable soups and thin butter milk should be taken.Later when digestive power increases,heavy foods can be consumed.After recovery always consume positive food in the quantity

 

PREPARED BY:DR SAJNA HAMZA A