AYURVEDA

AYURVEDAAncient Indian System Of Medicine

AYURVEDAAbstractAyurveda() 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.

IntroductonMedical 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 reverence even today.

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 AyurvedaThe 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 RigvedaYajurvedaSamavedaAtharvavedaThe 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 who devoted their life to understanding the world.

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 SurgeryOrganic medicinePediatricsToxicologyRejuvenating remedyAphrodisiac remediesSpiritual healingThese eight sections are called Astanga Ayurveda".

Chakra SamhitaTheCaraka 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 SamhitaTheSushruta 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, Sarira-sthana, 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 aphrodisiacsQualities of AyurvedaThe 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 ComponentsAccording 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 spaceVayu airTejasoragni fireApaorjala waterPrthvi 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 - TodayHaving 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 EvidenceAs 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 for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha(CCRAS), through a national network of research institutes.

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 promising results. Studies suggest thatTurmeric and its derivativecurcuminare antioxidants. 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.Chemical structure ofcurcuminused in ayurvedic medicine. Shown here in its ketone form.History Of Medicine presentation, on AyurvedaBy-Ashwini KumarGroup - VII (7)First year(Victor Babes University)