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AYURVEDA

Ancient Indian System Of Medicine

AYURVEDA
Abstract
Ayurveda()
Sanskrit: ayu- life;veda -knowledge of
Ayurvedic medicine, is Ancient Indian system of Medicine
and is more than 6,000 year old comprehensive system of
medicine based on a holistic approach rooted in Vedic
Cultureand Hindusm. Its conspicuous use of the word Veda, or
knowledge, reveals its role in early Hinduism and describes its
hallowed place in India. Ayurveda also had a tradition of
surgery. Two early texts (from centuries BCE) of Ayurveda are
the Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita.

Introducton
Medical tradition goes back to
Vedic period when Dhanvantari
was worshipped as God of
medicine and Ashwin Kumars
were given divine
status.Ayurveda was an
indigenous system of medicine
meaning the science of longevity.
It constitutes information about
diseases, their diagnosis and
expected cures. Charaka was a
noted Ayurveda practitioner who
wrote that physician who fails to
enter the body of a patient with
the lamp of knowledge and
understanding can never treat
diseases. He put more emphasis
on prevention rather than cure.
He made these remarks in his
famous treatiseCharaka
Samahitawhich are held in great

The other notable fields were physiology, etiology and


embryology. He also wrote extensively on digestion,
metabolism and immune system. He wrote that body functions
as it contains three dosha- bile, phlegm and wind. These are
produced when dhatus - blood, flesh and marrow act on food
consumed. The body becomes sick when there is imbalance
between three doshas. He prescribed drugs to restore this
balance. Charaka also wrote about genetics like the factors
responsible for sex of a child.
Agnivesaanother famous physician wrote an encyclopedic
treatise in the eighth- century B.C. Ayurveda as an art of
healing was treated with respect in ancient period. The
knowledge was systemized being considered at par with Vedas.
This body of knowledge was spread among sages, hermits and
other religious men who moved from one place to another.
Those who solely practiced this were known as Vaidyas
belonging to Brahmin caste. The treatises of ayurveda were
passed from generations to generations.

History of Ayurveda
The true history of Ayurveda starts from the time of the Holy
books, the Vedas. Ancient mythology contends that the concept
and essence of Ayurveda was revealed by the creator of the
world himself Lord Brahma.
There are four Vedas. They are

Rigveda
Yajurveda
Samaveda
Atharvaveda

The Vedas date back to about five thousand years. They preach
the philosophy of life. The Atharvaveda contains the principles
of healing on which Ayurveda is based. 'Ayur' means 'life' in
Sanskrit. Ayurveda is the most ancient science of healing which
enhances longevity. It has influenced many of the older
traditional methods of healing including Tibetan, Chinese and
Greek medicine. Hence, Ayurveda is considered by many as the
'mother of healing.'
The hymns, the mantras and the medical information contained
in the Vedas were contributions of Rishis and munis or sages,
over a period of time. Many of these sages were learned saints

Aryavarta, the native land of Aryans, covers a large area


surrounding the Himalayas and is believed to be the place
where the Rishis and Munis lived. At present it covers areas in
countries like Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bhutan and Tibet. The
civilizations of these countries are deeply influenced by the
unique intellectual contributions of these Rishis and Munis.
The practical tenets of Ayurveda are divided into eight sections
or branches. These sections include:

Internal medicine
Surgery
Organic medicine
Pediatrics
Toxicology
Rejuvenating remedy
Aphrodisiac remedies
Spiritual healing

These eight sections are


called
Astanga Ayurveda".

Chakra Samhita

TheCaraka Samhita Sutra(Devanagari: ) is an


earlyAyurvedictext oninternal medicine. It is believed to be
the oldest of the three ancient treatises of Ayurveda. It is
central to the modern-day practice of Ayurvedic medicine; and,
along with the Sushruta Samhitait is identified as an important
source of medical understanding and practice in antiquity.

The work as extant dates to theMaurya period(3rd to 2nd


century BCE). The text, written inSanskrit, is the work of
several authors and may represent the work of a school of
thought. A possibly historical redactor of the text is named as
Dridhabala (Aprapte Dridhabala sampurite).

Contents: The extant text hasastanga sthana(eight sections), totaling


120 chapters. These 8 sections areStra sthna(30
chapters),Nidana sthna(8 chapters),Vimana sthna(8
chapters),Sarira sthna(8 chapters),Indriya sthana(12
chapters),Chikitsa sthana(30 chapters),Kalpa sthana(12
chapters) andSiddhi sthana(12 chapters). 17 chapters
ofCikits sthnaand completeKalpa sthnaandSiddhi
sthnawere added later by Dridhabala (9th century). The text
starts withStra sthnawhich deals with fundamentals and
basic principles of Ayurveda practice.

Sushruta Samhita

TheSushruta Samhita(
) is aSanskrit redactiontext
on all of the major concepts ofayurvedic medicinewith
innovative chapters onsurgery, attributed toSushruta.Cataract
surgery was performed by Sushruta before 800 BC.
The text as preserved dates to the 3rd or 4th century AD.
TheBower Manuscriptholds some of the most important
information related to the earlyAyurvedic documents. Amongst
the eight divisions of medical knowledge,surgerywas
considered the most important branch. The text was translated
intoArabicin the 8th century.

Contents: The Sushruta samhita is in two parts, the Purva-tantra in five sections and
the Uttara-tantra. Those two parts together encompass, apart from Salya and
Salakya, the other specialities likemedicine,pediatrics,geriatrics, diseases
of the ear, nose, throat and eye,toxicology, aphrodisiacs.Thus the whole
Samhita, devoted as it is to the science of surgery, does not fail to include
the salient portions of other disciplines too. In fact, Sushruta emphasises in
his text that unless one possesses enough knowledge of relevant sister
branches of learning, one cannot attain proficiency in one's own subject of
study. The Samhita is thus an encyclopaedia of medical learning with special
emphasis on Salya and Salakya. The Sutra-sthana, Nidana-sthana, Sarirasthana, Kalpa-sthana and Chikitsa-sthana are the five books of the
Purvatantra containing one hundred and twenty chapters. Incidentally, the
Agnivesatantra known better as theCharaka Samhitaand theAshtanga
HridayamofVagbhataalso contain one hundred and twenty chapters in all.
The Nidana-sthana gives the student the knowledge ofaetiology, signs and
symptoms of important surgical diseases and those ailments, which have a
bearing on surgery. The rudiments of embryology and the anatomy of the
human body along with instructions for venesection (cutting of veins), the
positioning of the patient for each vein, and protection of vital structures
(marma) are dealt with in the Sarira-sthana. This also includes the essentials
of obstetrics. Principles of management of surgical conditions including
obstetrical emergencies are contained in the Chikitsa-sthana, which also
includes a few chapters on geriatrics and aphrodisiacs

Qualities of Ayurveda
The simple essence of ayurveda is knowledge and awareness of the
qualities of nature calledgurvadi gunah. By understanding the
qualities inherent in the environment, in foodstuffs, in activities,
etc., one gains an appreciation of their effects on the individual
constitution through the principle of similarities; i.e., that
similarities cause increase while dissimilarities cause decrease.
Thus hot qualities in the environment or diet will increase hot
qualities in the body.
Thegurvadi gunahare listed in Vagbhata'sAshtanga Hrdayamas:

Guru(heavy) laghu(light)
Manda(slow) tikshna(quick, sharp)
Hima(cold) ushna(hot)
Snigdha(unctuous) ruksha(dry)
Slakshna(smooth) khara(rough)
Sandra(solid) drava(liquid)
Mrdu(soft) kathina(hard)
Sthira(stable) cala(mobile)
Sukshma(subtle) sthula(gross)
Vishada(non-slimy) picchila(slimy)

Five Components

According to the ancient Sankhya


theory of cosmology, on which
ayurveda is based, the five
elements pancamahabhuta
combine in different proportions to
form the material world. Each
element possesses different
amounts of the above-mentioned
gunas; thus each element has its
unique qualitative nature. The
elements are:

Akasha ether or space


Vayu air
Tejasoragni fire
Apaorjala water
Prthvi earth

Some authorities state that the early European concept of five elements evolved from
Ayurveda:-

Doshas:- The 3 main doshas (organizing qualities of intelligence) are Vata (resembles
the classical elements ether and air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (water and earth). All
bodily processes are believed to be governed by a balance of the 3 doshas. Whichever
dosha appears to dominate a person's behavior and physique is called hisconstitution
type. Each constitution type has particular strengths and susceptibilities.

Vata:- Vata, composed of air and space, governs all movement in the mind and body
and must be kept in good balance. Too much vata leads to "worries, insomnia, cramps
and constipation. Vata controls blood flow, elimination of wastes, breathing and the
movement of thoughts across the mind." Vata activates the nervous system, hearing
and speech; and expresses as enthusiasm and creativity. Vata also controls the other
two principles,PittaandKapha, and is usually the first cause of disease.

Pitta:- Pittais said to be composed of fire and water; it governs "all heat, metabolism
and transformation in the mind and body. It controls how we digest food, how we
metabolize our sensory perceptions, and how we discriminate between right and
wrong." Pitta must be kept in balance, too. "Too much Pitta can lead to anger,
criticism, ulcers, rashes and thinning hair.

Kapha:- Kaphaconsists of earth and water. "Kapha cements the elements in the
body, providing the material for physical structure. This dosha maintains body
resistance. Kapha lubricates the joints; provides moisture to the skin; helps to heal
wounds; fills the spaces in the body; gives biological strength, vigor and stability;
supports memory retention; gives energy to the heart and lungs and maintains
immunity. Kapha is responsible for emotions of attachment, greed and envy; it is also
expressed in tendencies toward calmness, forgiveness and love." Too much Kapha
leads to lethargy and weight gain, as well as congestion and allergies.

Ayurveda - Today
Having lost state patronage during the British rule in India,
Ayurveda is making a slow comeback. In practice in India, there
are Ayurvedic doctors who are purists and others who choose to
use it in combination with Western medicine.
Ayurveda is gaining lots of interest in the Western countries.
Ayurvedic treatments in the West are primarily dietary and
herbal due to lack of well educated Ayurvedic practitioners.
Patients are classified by body types, or prakriti, which are
determined by proportions of the three doshas. Illness and
disease are considered to be a matter of imbalance in the
doshas. Treatment is aimed at restoring harmony or balance to
the mind-body system. Ayurvedic medicine is gaining in
popularity around the world. There are a number of medical
schools that teach Ayurveda.

Scientific Evidence
As atraditional medicine, many ayurveda products have not
been tested in rigorous scientific studies andclinical trials.In
India, research in ayurveda is largely undertaken by the
statutory body of theCentral Government, theCentral Council

A systematic review of ayurveda treatments for


rheumatoidarthritisconcluded that there was insufficient evidence,
as most of the trials were not done properly, and the one high-quality
trial showed no benefits.A review of ayurveda andcardiovascular
diseaseconcluded that while the herbal evidence is not yet
convincing, the spices are appropriate, some herbs are promising,
andyogais also a promising complementary treatment.
Some ayurvedic products, mainlyherbsused for
phytotherapy, have been tested with
Chemical structure ofcurcuminused in
promising results. Studies suggest thatTurmeric
ayurvedic medicine. Shown here in its
and its derivativecurcuminare antioxidants.
ketone form.
Tinspora cordifoliahas been tested. Among the
medhyarasayanas(intellect rejuvenation), two varieties
ofSalviahave been tested in small trials; one trial provided evidence
thatSalvia lavandulifolia(Spanish sage) may improve word recall in
young adults, and another provided evidence thatSalvia
officinalis(Common sage) may improve symptoms
inAlzheimer'spatients.In some cases, ayurvedic medicine may
provide clues to therapeutic compounds. For example, derivatives
ofsnake venomhave various therapeutic properties. Many plants
used asrasayana(rejuvenation) medications are potent antioxidants.
Neemappears to have beneficial pharmacological properties.

History Of Medicine presentation, on


Ayurveda
ByAshwini Kumar
Group - VII (7)
First year
(Victor Babes University)

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