Ashtanindita Purusha – The Clinical Revelation: A Review

The review discusses the concept of Ashtanindita Purusha from the Charaka Samhita, which describes eight undesirable physical constitutions due to their predisposition to various diseases and treatment challenges. These constitutions include Ati deergha (extremely tall), Ati hrasva (extremely short), Ati loma (excessive hair), Aloma (lack of hair), Ati Krishna (hyperpigmentation), Ati gaura (hypopigmentation), Ati sthoulya (obesity), and Atikrisha (emaciation). The review highlights the clinical significance of these constitutions, particularly Atisthoola (obesity) and Atikrisha (emaciation), which require constant management. It correlates these ancient concepts with modern genetic, endocrinological, and metabolic disorders, such as growth hormone disorders, hypertrichosis, alopecia universalis, adrenal disorders, albinism, and vitiligo. Additionally, it discusses Ekadasha nindita, which includes localized structural defects.