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Ayurveda is the holistic alternative science from India, and is more than 5000 years old. It is believed
to be the oldest healing science in existence, forming the foundation of all others.
The word Ayurveda comes from two root words in Sanskrit, Ayush meaning life or life span and Veda
meaning knowledge. The science of Ayurveda, thus, literally means the complete knowledge of the
totality and longevity of life. Ayurveda, said to be a world medicine, is the most holistic or
comprehensive medical system available.
Ayurveda Texts, scriptures & oral traditions assign their composition to Charka, Dhanvantari,
Sushruta, Kashyap, Vagbhata, Sarangadhara, Samhita & others.
Charka's Samhita, a text with which Ayurveda begins, consists of 120 chapters divided into 8 parts
covering pharmacology, food, diet, diseases, their diagnosis and prognosis, the treatments, anatomy,
embryology, and pharmacy.
Sushruta Samhita, consists of 6 large sections which deal mostly with surgery, treatment of wounds,
diagnosis and extraction of splinters, pathology, anatomy, ophthalmology, dentistry and child care.
Vagbhata Samhita is considered to be the compendia of Charka and Sushruta Samhitas presented in a
well organized and thematically structured composition.
The ancient Ayurveda science also deals with Alchemy and its medicinal uses, plastic surgery,
gynecology, cosmetics, medicinal plants, their uses and manufacturing processes of herbal
formulations.
It is the basic understanding of some of the lenses through which Ayurveda views the
universe. These are foundational tools for understanding the laws of nature and
identifying various states of health or imbalance.
Cold Hot
Oily Dry
Smooth Rough
Dense Liquid
Soft Hard
Stable Mobile
Gross Subtle