Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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
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
Internal medicine
Surgery
Organic medicine
Pediatrics
Toxicology
Rejuvenating remedy
Aphrodisiac remedies
Spiritual healing
Chakra Samhita
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
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