AYURVED The Ancient Science of Life
Ayurved, the science of life, is an ancient health care tradition that has been practiced in India for not less than 5,000 years. Ayurvedic medicines are gaining prominence today on account of its excellent safety profile and ability to cure the root cause of the ailments. More and more people, all over the globe, are showing faith & belief in this holistic medical science.
Ayurved is a Sanskrit word that literally means as the knowledge of life (AYU – life, VED – knowledge or science). It is based on ancient Indian texts that utilize natural tools like herbal medicines, lifestyle modifications and dietary practices to promote healing of the body, mind and the spirit. The benefits of Ayurved have been proven over centuries and practiced in daily life to sustain health.
OBJECTIVES OF AYURVED ARE TWO-FOLD:
स्वस्थस्यउर्जस्करंकिञ्चित्
किञ्चिदार्तस्यरोगनुत् ll
- To maintain health
- To cure the root cause of disease
SAMHITA (AYURVEDIC TREATISES)
| Originally transmitted and memorized verbally, Ayurved was further codified into three major treatises viz. Charak Samhita, Sushrut Samhita and Vagbhata Samhita (Ashtanga Hridaya). These texts continue to be the most important classical references even today. Ayurved consist of eight branches; general medicine (Kayachikitsa), surgery (Shalya-Tantra), disease of ear, nose and throat (Shalakya-Tantra), pediatrics (Kaumarbhrutya-Tantra), toxicology (Agad-Tantra), psychiatry (Manas Roga), rejuvenation (Rasayana) and sexual vitality (Vajikaran). |
DOSHA – DHATU – MALA
According to Ayurved, body is composed of ‘Dosha’ ‘Dhatu’ and ‘Mala’. Dosha, the Functional elements of body are three in number viz. Vata, Pitta and Kapha. They are responsible for all the functions in our body like digestion, voluntary and involuntary movements etc. Each of these three doshas carry out specific functions in the body. Dosha are the main causative factors of health or disease.
“ रोगस्तु दोषवैषम्यं दोषसाम्यमरोगता ” अ. हृ १/२०
| The person is said to be healthy (Swastha / Arogi) when all the three doshas are in a balanced state, whereas a person is said to be ill or diseased (Aatur / Rogi) When this balance is disturbed DOSHAS are three viz. Vatadosha, Pittadosha and Kaphadosha. Doshas are the driving forces of the body and its physiological functions. When all three Doshas are in balanced state (harmony), then the healthy state is maintained. Each Dosha has certain inherent properties. For example, Vata is responsible for movement, Pitta is hot, Kapha is cold. Therefore, our lifestyle, dietary habits and environmental factors should be consciously kept in harmony with the inherent properties of Doshas to maintain the health. Any deviation in the lifestyle, diet and surroundings leading to disturbance of Doshas will lead to disease. For example, excessive travelling or exercise will increase the intensity of Vata Dosha. Similarly spicy, hot food will intensify Pitta Dosha. DHATUS are the structural elements of our body i.e. they provide stucture, shape and size to the body. There are seven Dhatus in the body, viz. Rasa (lymph, serum), Rakta (blood), Mansa (flesh), Meda (adipose tissue, fat), Asthi (bones), Majja (bone marrow) and Shukra (semen, reproductive tissues). In the broader sense Dhatus are the tissues of our body. MALAS are the excretory products viz. Purish (stools/ faeces), Mutra (urine) and Sweda (Sweat). ASHTANGA-AYURVED The vast science of Ayurved has been classified in following eight branches or therapies (Ashtanga-Ayurved) for better understanding. These eight branches are nothing but the specialization of the subject to study it in detail. |
1. Kayachikitsa – Medicine
Branch of Ayurveda dealing with non-invasive and pharmacological treatment of the body. Kayachikitsa also narrates disciplinary lifestyle essential to maintain physical and mental health of an individual and the society.
Branch of Ayurveda dealing with non-invasive and pharmacological treatment of the body. Kayachikitsa also narrates disciplinary lifestyle essential to maintain physical and mental health of an individual and the society.
2. Kaumarbhrutya – Paediatrics
A branch of Ayurveda dealing with all aspects of child growth from the prenatal phase to adolescence. It includes diagnosis and management of various problems at various stages of childhood.
A branch of Ayurveda dealing with all aspects of child growth from the prenatal phase to adolescence. It includes diagnosis and management of various problems at various stages of childhood.
3. Grahachikitsa – Psychosomatics
Body and mind both affect each other and together form the seat of disease. Grahachikitsa branch of Ayurveda deals mainly with mental (psychological) disorders and their treatment. It also deals with role of Astrophysics in health.
Body and mind both affect each other and together form the seat of disease. Grahachikitsa branch of Ayurveda deals mainly with mental (psychological) disorders and their treatment. It also deals with role of Astrophysics in health.
4. Shalakya tantra or Urdhwanga Chikitsa – ENT and Ophthalmology
The word ‘Shalaka’ actually means a stick or a probe and ‘Tantra’ means a standardized and developed methodology or technique. Hence, ‘Shalakya tantra’ or ‘Urdhwaga Chikitsa’ deals with diagnosis, examination and treatment of diseases related with eye, ear, nose, throat and head.
The word ‘Shalaka’ actually means a stick or a probe and ‘Tantra’ means a standardized and developed methodology or technique. Hence, ‘Shalakya tantra’ or ‘Urdhwaga Chikitsa’ deals with diagnosis, examination and treatment of diseases related with eye, ear, nose, throat and head.
5. Shalya tantra – Surgery
This branch deals with surgery. The surgical methods which are pioneered by Ayurved in ancient time are known by the name ‘Shalya tantra’. This branch describes various surgical interventions in different surgical conditions where medicine has got limitations.
Agad means poison. Agad tantra is a branch which describes the specific symptoms on different body systems on consumption or exposure to different poisonous substances. Hence identification of the poison and subsequent methods of detoxification-elimination of poisons, and use of these toxic substances in minimal doses for the medicinal purpose are explained in detail.
7. Rasayan tantra – Rejuvenation
This branch of Ayurveda is concerned with the therapies which help to enjoy the longevity with quality of life. The Rasayan herbs such as Amalaki (Indian gooseberry – Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Chebulic myrobalan – Terminalia chebula) are known to slow down the natural process of ageing.
8. Vajikaran – Aphrodisiac and Sexology
Vajikaran branch of Ayurveda is concerned with the measures to enhance sexual vitality and efficiency along with creation of better progeny. This branch also deals with all types of physical and psychological sexual problems along with treatment in terms of medicines, lifestyle, sexual practices and diet etc.
Vajikaran branch of Ayurveda is concerned with the measures to enhance sexual vitality and efficiency along with creation of better progeny. This branch also deals with all types of physical and psychological sexual problems along with treatment in terms of medicines, lifestyle, sexual practices and diet etc.
AUSHADHI (MEDICINE) IN AYURVED
Majority of the population opts for the alternative therapy as curative and preventive healing. Ayurved has stood to the test of times and continues to be complete healing system to offer ancient understanding and wisdom to the modern world.
“Not a single substance in the Universe is devoid of therapeutic potential and hence is a potential drug source, provided it is used judiciously at adequate dose in appropriate indications.” (Charak Samhita)
Majority of the population opts for the alternative therapy as curative and preventive healing. Ayurved has stood to the test of times and continues to be complete healing system to offer ancient understanding and wisdom to the modern world.
“Not a single substance in the Universe is devoid of therapeutic potential and hence is a potential drug source, provided it is used judiciously at adequate dose in appropriate indications.” (Charak Samhita)
Ayurved deploys medicines originated from following three sources:
- जाङ्गम (sourced from animals) – Milk, Honey, Musk, etc.
- औद्भिद (herbal source) – Turmeric (curcumin), Ginger, Guggul, etc.
- पार्थिव (minerals & metals) – Mica, Iron, Zinc, etc.
Qualities of A Good Aushadhi (Medicine):
- Abundance (No shortage)
- Therapeutic potential / Indications
- Multiple pharmaceutic forms
- Rich in quality (Efficacy + Safety)
