Abstract

*Dr. Tanvi Sood, Dr. Ashwani Upadhyaya, Dr. Navneet Sharma, Dr. Rashmi Shrivastva, Dr. Chandni Gupta and Dr. Mohit Pathak

ABSTRACT

Fruit have been a part of the human diet since the earliest time and there is strong evidence that our ancestors were primarily frugivorous. In ancient time there is no cultivation and man had to fill belly with fruits and whatever he finds in natural surroundings. Ayurveda describes Ahara (Diet) as the best preventive medicine and management of many diseases. “Phalavarga” is a category under Aharavarga, enlisted different fruits with their properties and its indications are in different medical conditions. During the last 4000 years, vast change has occurred in use of fruits. Several items have become obsolete and new items are introduced. Available information of fruits in classical texts of Ayurveda are not reviewed and not disseminated scientifically. Due to lack of knowledge regarding identification, usage, habitat, distribution and benefits of some fruits remain unexplored. Effort has been made to review and compile the fruits from classical texts of Ayurveda in systemic manner so that information regarding them can be used to identify active principles, long term beneficial effects and to understand their mechanism of action to establish their dietetic importance.