Chronobilogy & ayurved

Words like Chronobiology, Chronopharmacology are newer additions to the glossary of Doctors. It is indeed interesting to learn that credit of the concept rightfully belongs to - what else? Ayurved indeed!
A skeptic may wonder whether such a . concept could have been purported in an era when even time was measured in terms of how long it took to sink a tiny vessel. Well, here the method may have been crude; but the results have been remarkably precise. Further, their basis was scientific as it was based on reasoning.

What is Chronopharmacology?
Chronos means TIme. The ingestion of any medicqtion in accordance to specific time (of a day I agel season or with respect to meaJs/intake of other medicines) is Chronopharmacology.
In Ayurved, Time is an entity in its own right. The effect of time leads to a lot more than just days, nights, seasons (rutus) etc. It leads to variety in the effect, due to the variation in the Direction (of the doshas) it causes.
For example, the obese persons are advised to drink warm water before meals. On the other hand, persons with assimilative problems are warned against doing so. Drinking lots of water immediately after meals is also a strict no-no; as is drinking water just before retiring to bed. The reasons given.are sci~ntific.
>Drinking water before meals dampens the strength of the Agni Le., digestive enzymes secreted just before the meals. Hence, the appetite is suppressed; but it is beneficial for an obese person. .
>Lots of water just after meals dilutes the aahaar rasa (the bolus of meal just eaten) in the amlashaya (stomach), thus reducing the qualitative extract of nutrients that were to be assimilated from it during its further digestion.
>According to Ayurved, the night is the Time-domain for Vata. Water had just before sleep gains an upward direction due II to the Vata-Kaal, heading straight for the head. It has a numbing effect, leading to a disturbed sleep.it means that even a fraction of the required dosage is potent enough to have the desired effect, if taken at the right time.
Chronopharmacology in today's context has these advantages:
1. Acting on the relevant Dosha at the time when its most effective.
2. The Direction given to the medicine by virtue of the action of the Dosha predominant at that time can be turned to an advantage by ingesting medicine at the specific time to cure ailments in a specific region.
3. Reducing the quantity of medicines required as an effective dosage to enhance its efficacy.
4. Using the principle for preventive purposes.
This reasoning has sound basis of the fundamental principles of Ayurved.

The Fundamentals

There are 3 Doshas which form the basic constitution of any person, viz., Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each of these doshas have 5 types.
Vata :

Prana
Vyaan
Udaan
Samaan
Apaan

Pitaa
Paachak .
Ranjdk
Aalochak.
Saadhak.
Bhraajak,

Kapha
Kledak
Shheshak
Awalambak
Bodhak
TarpCik
Albeit, these doshas are present throughout the body, there are certain areas which are the areas bf predominance by virtue of their actions. Similarly, they also have a specific time (of the day, the rutu and the age) during which they are most active. These Doshas, when in equilibrium are the state of health. Conversely, the disturbance in their equilibrium leads to various disorders, as per the predominance of the Doshas. The way to retain the state of health is to re-establish the harmony of these Doshas.

Advantages of Chronopharmacology
Any medicine taken during the time of the day I rutu I age in which the specific dosha is predominant, acts instantly on that dosha. It also ensures that the medicine taken during this time can have a multifold effect: in other Times for ingestion of medicines
Let's try to simplify this. Vagbhat, the great Guru of Ayurved who wrote the Ashtaang Sangraha (i.e., Manual of Ayurved), has enumerated 11 times with respect to the meals of a day for ingestion of medicines.
1. On an empty stomach
2. 15-20 minutes before the meal
3. Just before the meal
4. Mid-meal
5. Post-meal
6. After every bite of food
7. With every bite of food (mixed with the
food)
8. After every little while (frequently)
9. Along with the meal (separately, not
mixed with the food)
10. Before and After the meal
11. At bedtime, just before retiring

Reason and Application
The simple reason and application of these times is based on the time and direction of the ... then active dosha. For example,At bedtime, the direction is towards the Head, Neck and Face disorders. Hence anxiolytic dnJ.gs (anti-anxiety)are taken at
night.
. Patients capable enough to withstand full potency of a medicine are given medicines as soon as they awaken. Particularly so, for those with Kapahaj disorders like narcolepsy, severe indigestion, edema etc. Since the stomach is absolutely empty at this time, the medicines should be taken in minimal quantities as these act with their full potency.
. Disorders of the lower half of the body,especially concerning the excretory and reproductive processes must be treated with medicines just before meals; e.g., menstrual disorders, infertility, constipation, flatulence etc.
. Disorders of the Agni or the digestive problems should be tackled with medicines taken half way between the meals; e.g., indigestion etc.Medicines after lunch are highly effective for circulatory disorders.
. Pigmentation disorders, speech problems, fatigue are cured by medicines after dinner.
. Dyspnea, poisoning, hiccups, tremors, severe cough etc. are treated with medicines taken frequently as required.
. Anorexia and the like are treated with medications mixed with food. Gulping. medicines as and when you feel like it, as and when time permits or "as .and when you remember - does not
deliver the desired result even if the drug is potent. Adherence to these simple techniques of enhancing the
efficacy of the medications goes a long way in curing the ailment quickly, easily and safely.
The significance of Chronopharmacology was understood 1r Ayurvedic masters centuries ago. Research in the Physiology and Pharmacology has butres$ed it with scientific reasoning at molec~lar level. We are now convinced that the laws governing drug effects are applicable irrespective of the therapeutic discipline followed -. whether Allopathic or Ayurvedic.