Ayurveda

Ayurveda originated in India long back in pre-vedic period. Rigveda and Atharva-veda ( 5000 years B.C.), Ayurveda is the Vedic system of health care that developed in India over 6000 years ago. A gift of the Gods, it was codified by the sage-physician Charaka and the sage-surgeon Shushruta. This ancient science is health, not disease, specific and takes into account the patient's entire personality - body, mind and spirit.

 The term Ayurveda means ‘Science of Life’. It deals elaborately with measures for healthful living during the entire span of life and its various phases. Besides, dealing with principles for maintenance of health, it has also developed a wide range of therapeutic measures to combat illness. These principles of positive health and therapeutic measures relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual welfare of human beings. Thus Ayurveda becomes one of the oldest systems of health care dealing with both the preventive and curative aspects of life in a most comprehensive way and presents a close similarity to the WHO’s concept of health propounded in the modern era.

A perusal of its several classical treatises indicate presence of two schools of Physicians and Surgeons and eight specialities. These eight disciplines are generally called "Ashtanga Ayurveda" and are :-

·        Internal Medicine(Kaya Chikitsa)

·        Paediatrics(Kaumar Bhritya)

·        Psychiatry( Bhoot Vidya)

·        Otorhinolaryngology and Ophthalmology(Shalakya)

·        Surgery( Shalya)

·        Toxicology( Agad Tantra)

·        Geriatrics(Rasayana)

·        Eugenics and aphrodisiacs(Vajikarana)

Compendia on these subjects like Charak Samihta, Sushruta Samhita etc. were written by the ancient scholars during B.C. period. These were used for teaching of Ayurveda in the ancient universities of Takshashila and Nalanda.

Ayurveda believes that Health (Swasthya) depends upon the equibalance condition of the three founders of the body (Sharira) i.e. (Tridosha, Sapta Dhatu and Malas). All the Physiological and Pathological processes involve these constituents and are responsible for health and ill health in a person.

The theory of Tridosha has been a great discovery. According to it, Vata or Vayu (Air-motion), Pitta (Fire-energy) and Kapha (Liquid Gel inertia) are the basic biological elements and control all the functions and activities of the body.

Sapta Dhatus (Seven tissues) support the body and also each of the tissue has a metabolic capability which helps it to digest the respective food and manufactures its associated higher tissues. These tissues are Rasa (body fluids-prime element out of digestion), Rakta (blood), Mamsa (muscular tissue), Meda (adipose tissue), Asthi (bone tissue), Majja (nerve tissue and bone marrow) and Shukra (reproductive generative tissue).

Malas are the waste products that are emerged in the process like Stool, Urine, Sweat, Hair, Nail etc.

The three constituents affect the Health (Swasthya) qualitatively and quantitatively.

Ayurveda considers Human Being as a Whole. It believes that imbalance in the Doshas, Dhatus and Malas generate diseases and the restoration of balance in those, eliminates diseases. The aim of treatment is not only to cure the disease but to root out the cause so that it may not take place in future. The aim of the treatment is also to improve the vitality and to strengthen the immune system.

Ayurveda strongly emphasizes on Prevention, Promotion, Cure and Rehabilitation. For this, it advocates to follow the principles of health, observation of principles- Dincharya (daily regimen), Rutucharya (Seasonal regimen), Ratricharya (Night routine), Sadvritta and Achar Rasayan (Ethical and Moral activities), Aahar (Food), Nidra (Sleep) and Brahmacharya (Regulated Action).

An Ayurvedic health cure is a preventive measure for the preservation of durable health up to old age
It also cleanses the body and is appropriate for wellbeing during post-convalescence and recuperation from acute or chronic illness .Consequences of Ayurveda are clear eyes, a refined skin tone, a robust nervous system, revitalization and regeneration with an increased zest for life.Conditions successfully treated by Ayurveda include; Diabetes, Stress, Migraine, Headaches, Overweight, Skin problems, High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, Bronchial Asthma, Arthritis, Sleep Disorders and illness of the Respiratory Tract, Heart & Circulation, Rheumatism, Acne, Nicotine Addiction etc.Ayurveda gives you a base to manage your daily life better, as you will develop the power to reject negative and disturbing forces of all kinds.

Unique features of Ayurveda

• Treatment of individual as a whole.
  (Symptomatic treatment is alien to this system. Mind, body & soul are treated together).

• No unpleasent side effects but side benefits.

• Psychosomatic concept of disease.

• Emphasis on positive health and prevention of disease.

• Simple method of Diagnosis.

• Ayurveda is near to nature.

• Ayurveda is conductive to Yogic practice. Yoga and Ayurveda go hand in hand.

• Ayurveda maintains an open & liberal attitude towords other system of medicine.

• Importance of individual constitution.
  (Disorders are always seen on the background of the individual's constitution, the  Ayurvedic physician views disease through the patient.)