ROLE OF MATURAHARVIHAR PRAKRITI TO MODIFY PRENATAL TRANS-GENERATIONAL PROGRAMMING FOR DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH: A REVIEW

Prakriti, as conceived by Ayurveda, is a pre-determined program influenced by highly active vital forces at the time of conception which is responsible for physical, mental and other characteristics of an individual. Maturaharvihar Prakriti, proposed by Charaka Samhita, is result of one of the plastic prenatal states related with maternal lifestyle and nutrition. A serious consideration given to this phenomenon by Ayurveda, taking in account the potential malleability of programming and its lasting influence on various aspects of life is being increasingly proven scientific in light of mounting evidences gradually accumulated on scientific platforms. The paper discusses the hitherto known important key mechanisms of prenatal life that are responsible for changes in trans-generational transfer of characteristics. These mechanisms are of immense importance due potential of offering infinite therapeutic and preventive opportunities. Evidences of prenatal programming of congenital anomalies, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, stroke, obesity, mood disorders, behavioral patterns and many other developmental phenomena validates the approach of Ayurveda towards positively programming the prenatal life using an interventional umbrella of lifestyle, diet and medicines. Mammalian animal experiments from agouti mouse to Caenorhabditis elegance as well as meticulous trans-generational characteristics records of humans as Dutch famine gives unequivocal signal towards important underlying signature changes like epigenetic, neuroplastic, hormonal and metabolic modifications. The paper, thus, highlights not only scientific validity of concept of Maturaharvihar Prakriti but also its candid potential of conventional as well pro host therapy.