Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a system of medicine that was conceived and practiced in the Vedic period. Since then, it has come a long way and has established itself as an alternative system of medicine in India and abroad.

In Sanskrit, the word Ayurveda consists of the two words, ‘ayush’ meaning life, and ‘veda’ meaning science. According to Ayurveda, five great elements, viz. earth, water, fire, air and space form the universe, including the human body. It believes that the seven elementary constituent elements of the body are chyle, blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow and semen.

Ayurveda lays great emphasis on a balance of three substances – Vayu (wind), Pitta (bile) and Kaff (phlegm). One can attain vitality by building a healthy metabolic system, by having good digestion, and through proper excretion. Exercise, yoga, meditation and massage also play key roles in keeping us healthy.

Ayurveda treatment has eight disciplines called Ashtanga, such as Shalya-chikitsa (surgery), Salakyam (diseases above the clavicle), Kaaya chikitsa (Internal medicine), Bhuta Vidya (Psychiatry), Kaumarabhrtyam (Paediatrics), Agadatantram (toxicology), Rasayanam (building immunity) and Vajikaranam (Aphrodisiacs).

In ancient India, religion was combined with traditional medicine. Ayurveda too was linked to Hinduism and Buddhism. Ayurveda’s stress on balance and moderation in food intake, sleep and sex, its rules for ethical conduct, its healthy routine for day and night and its stress on proper medicine intake were in consonance with the spirit of these two religions.

As for diagnosis, the Charaka Samhita prescribes ten-fold examination of the patients including constitution, psychic strength, digestive capacity and age. “Marma” or vital pressure points also play a key role in diagnosing a patient’s disease.

In Ayurvedic medicines, sesame and sunflower oil are widely used because of their content in triglyceride from. Oil is also used for anointing, smearing, massage and application to infected scars. Vegetable drugs, including cardamom and cinnamon, are also used in Ayurvedic medicine. Fats, animal products, and minerals such as sulphur, arsenic, copper and gold are important ingredients of Ayurvedic medicines.

The Sushruta Samhita contains the teachings of Sushruta with description of more than 1000 illnesses, 700 medicinal plants, 64 preparations from mineral sources and 57 preparations from animal sources. A wide range of diseases such as fever, cough, diarrhea, seizure, diabetes and hypertension can be treated by Ayurvedic medicine. Remarkably, plastic surgery, cataract surgery, stitching of wounds and amputations were also done by Ayurveda surgeons with the use of surgical instruments and herbs.

The Ayurvedic system of medicine was mentioned in the writings of Fa Hsien (337-422 BC), the famous Chinese pilgrim who visited India during the Gupta period. The medical writings of Sushruta and Charaka were translated into Arabic and were later transported to Europe.

This traditional system of medicine was given its due importance when the Indian Medical Council standardized qualifications for Ayurveda and set up institutions for its study and research. Ayurveda professionals who qualify from these institutions run many clinics in urban and rural areas all over the country. The popularity of Ayurveda has also been recorded in surveys conducted by the World Health Organization. Ayurvedic medicines being manufactured by pharmaceutical companies have been commercially successful.