JIHWAPAREEKSHA – A TRADITIONAL DIAGNOSTIC METHODOLOGY WITH CONTEMPORARY ADVANCEMENT

Abstract

Ayurveda, the life science is mainly aimed at early diagnosis and aids in complete recovery from the disease by uprooting its root cause. The prime criteria for arriving at appropriate diagnosis are by thoroughly understanding the prakriti of that particular individual. Acharyas have explained various methodologies for a valid diagnosis of both prakriti and vikriti like Trividha, Ashtasthana and Dashavidhapareeksha. Jihwapareeksha is one among the Ashtasthanapareeksha, which is mainly based on the concept of Dharshana, Sparshana, and Prashna. Jihwapareeksha helps in diagnosing both the healthy and unhealthy states of an individual. Each part of jihwa represents each organ in the human body and any abnormality in that area represents the unhealthy state of that particular organ as per Chinese, Greek and Korean medicine. It was the most advanced mode of diagnosis in ancient era where there was no aid of imaging technologies. It also helps in early diagnosis of Ama, the root cause for almost all the vyadhis. The level of excellence in Jihwapareeksha started to decline gradually and nowadays Jihwapareeksha is meant for assessing the state of digestion alone. But nowadays, contemporary science has a curious eye on the methodology of tongue examination and they have started exploring its importance in clinical practice. This paper is mainly aimed to scout out the importance of Jihwapareeksha in VyadhiVinischaya or to help in finding out Vyavacchedakanidana of diseases and to explore the advancement of contemporary science in tongue examination to arrive at the proper diagnosis.

Keywords: Ashtasthanapareeksha, Ama, Chinese medicine, Body organs, Vyadhi Vinishchaya, Jihwapareeksha