OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS THROUGH THE LENS OF GARA VISHA: A CROSS-DISCIPLINARY REVIEW

Abstract

The impact of occupation in human beings is illustrated by the fact that it is not only a source of revenue but also a crucial component of personal identity. The traditional Indian medical system known as Ayurveda emphasizes a close connection between profession and health. Persistent exposure to industrial chemicals, cement dust, pesticides, and herbicides can act as Kritrima Visha (manufactured toxins), significantly affecting one or more physiological systems. Persistent health conditions can result through such exposures, especially for workers in the mining, engineering, manufacturing, and agriculture sectors. Such exposures have been exacerbated by swift industrialization and widespread chemical use, contributing to an increasing load of long-term health issues. The idea of Gara Visha, an intentionally created cumulative poison made by combining poisonous or non-toxic compounds that have prolonged systemic effects, is used by Ayurveda to describe a similar state. Evaluating Gara Visha's relevance in light of contemporary occupational toxicity is the primary objective of this narrative review. Ayurveda is renowned across the world in recent years for its holistic approach to preventing ailment and promoting wellness. Conventional treatment alone may not be adequate for occupational disorders, which are frequently complex and multifaceted. By addressing the psychosomatic aspects of illness and considering the body as a cohesive whole controlled by the harmony of the three Dosha-Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, Ayurveda provides an alternate view point. It was shown that multisystem illnesses with delayed onset, tissue depletion, metabolic abnormalities, and poor elimination, which closely resemble the pathophysiology of Gara Visha are developed when this state of equilibrium is upset by extended exposure to hazardous substances. Ayurvedic management emphasizes preventive as well as curative measures, including regulation of daily and seasonal regimens, dietary modification, lifestyle modification , detoxification procedures such as Shodhana, anti-poison therapies (Agada), and rejuvenative interventions (Rasayana) to enhance immunity, vitality, and resistance to disease1. Such approaches can be beneficial in managing common occupational conditions including respiratory disorders like asthma, stress-related illnesses, hypertension, heat-related conditions, tinnitus, eye strain, frostbite, and musculoskeletal pain etc. Overall, Ayurveda provides a comprehensive framework for protecting worker health, enhancing resilience, and reducing the burden of occupational diseases.