GARBHOPGHATAKARABHAVAS: ANCIENT TERATOLOGY

Abstract

Teratology is the study of abnormal development or congenital malformations, which may be caused by exposure to various chemicals, physical factors and environmental factors. In Ayurveda, the description about the congenital birth defects has been mentioned in many places. Ayurveda has also given some quotes on the anomalies or congenital defects precipitating in the fetus and stressed on factors that attached to the defective Shukra (sperm), Shonit (ovum), Aatma (Soul), Kaal (time) and AaharVihar (habitat and dietetic regimen of the mother).Alterations of morphogenesis, Alterations of CNS function, other functional impairments, Death of the conceptus, embryo, or fetus, Prenatal-onset growth deficiency, Carcinogenesis are teratogenic effect seen in human.These all type of descriptions by ours Acharyas strongly suggests that they have got knowledge about the teratogens.