A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY EXPLORING THE CONCEPT OF DUSHIVISHA AND ITS EVALUATION IN RELATION TO EXPOSURE AMONG ADULT WOMEN

The Ayurvedic concept of Dushivisha represents a unique category of toxins that, though initially less potent, persist in a dormant state within the body for extended periods before manifesting cumulative ill effects. Rooted in classical samhitas, Dushivisha is described as the intake of toxic substances that evade immediate elimination yet remain capable of producing pathology when aggravated by specific internal or external factors. Despite its enduring relevance in contemporary health discourse, the concept remains enigmatic, raising critical questions regarding its classification, mechanisms of persistence, pathways of cumulative toxicity, and the conditions that precipitate its clinical expression. A deeper exploration of these dimensions is essential to elucidate the pathology and clinical impact of Dushivisha, particularly in adult women, thereby bridging traditional Ayurvedic insights with modern perspectives on chronic toxic exposure and preventive health.