Assu intro

Uniqueness of Ayurveda, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Unani

1. Uniqueness of AYURVEDA / SIDDHA / SOWA RIGPA / UNANI (ASSU) compared to other System of Medicine Dr. Asheesh Gautam Assistant Professor Shalya Tantra

2. Indian System of Medicine - The Indian System of Medicine is the culmination of Indian thought of medicine which represents a way of healthy living valued with a long and unique cultural history Ayurveda Yoga Naturopathy Unani Siddha Homeopathy Sowa - Rigpa AYUSH

3. Ayurveda Siddha Sowa – Rigpa Unani ASSU

4. Introduction and Origin Siddha system is one of the oldest systems of medicine in India . The term Siddha means achievements and Eighteen Siddhars were said to have contributed towards the development of this medical system . Siddha literature is in Tamil and it is practised largely in Tamil speaking part of India and abroad. In Siddha system chemistry had been found well developed into a science auxiliary to medicine and alchemy . It was found useful in the preparation of medicine as well as in transmutation of basic metals into gold.  Siddha System

5. Basic concepts- This principles and doctrines of this system, both fundamental and applied, have a close similarity to Ayurveda, with specialization in Iatro -chemistr y . According to this system the human body is the replica of the universe and so are the food and drugs irrespective of their origin. Like Ayurveda, this system believes that all objects in the universe including human body are composed of five basic elements. Siddha System

6. The proportion of the elements present in the drugs vary and their preponderance or otherwise is responsible for certain actions and therapeutic results. This system also deals with the concept of salvation in life. The exponents of this system consider achievement of this state is possible by medicines and meditation. Siddha System

7. Materia medica - The system has developed a rich and unique treasure of drug knowledge in which use of metals and minerals is very much advocated. There are 25 varieties of water-soluble inorganic compounds ( alkalies and salts), and 64 varities of water - insoluble mineral drugs that emits vapours when put in fire. The system has classified separately classes of metals and alloys, which melt when heated and solidifies on cooling. These include gold, silver, copper, tine, lead and iron. These are incinerated by special processes and used in medicine. Siddha System

8. There is a group of drugs that exhibit sublimation (solid to gas) on heating and includes mercury and its different forms like red sulphide of mercury, mercuric chloride and red oxide of mercury etc . Sulpher , which is insoluble in water, finds a crucial place in Siddha materia medica along with mercury for use in therapeutics and in maintenance of health . The above classification shows detailed knowledge and study of minerals that this system has evolved for treatment.  Siddha System

9. In general this system is effective in treating all types of diseases but especially skin problems particularly Psoriasis, STD, urinary tract infections, diseases of liver and gastro intestinal tract, general debility, postpartum anaemia , diarrhoea and general fevers in addition to arthritis and allergic disorders . The National Institute of Siddha (NIS), Chennai is an autonomous organization under the control of Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. Siddha System

10. Introduction of SOWA – RIGPA (Tibetan Medicine) Sowa- Rigpa ” is one of the oldest and well documented medical tradition popular in the entire Trans-Himalayan region like J & K region’, Ladakh ,Himachal Pradesh etc. The term ‘Sowa Rigpa ’ is derived from Bhoti language which means ‘Knowledge of Healing’. It can be perceived to be more close or having similarity with Ayurvedic philosophy/ principles of India since many of texts of Sowa- Rigpa (approximately more than 75%) are taken from one of the most famous treatise of Ayurveda i.e. “ Ashtanga Hridya ”. More than 75 % medicines used in Ayurveda (Indian origin) viz Triphala , Ashok, Ashwagandha , Guggulu , Haridra etc. are also frequently used in Sowa- Rigpa System of Medicine for treatment purposes. Sowa - Rigpa

11. Sowa- Rigpa is based on the principles of Jung- wa - nga ( Skt : panchamahabhutas ) and Ngepa -Sum ( Skt : Tridosa ) The physiology, pathology Pharmacology and metria - medica of this system are established on these theories . Our body is composed of these five Cosmo physical elements of Jung- wa - nga ; when the proportion of these elements is in imbalance in our body disorder results. In the body these elements are present in the form of Ngepa -Sum ( Skt : Tri- dosa ) Lus -sung-dun ( Skt : Sapta Dhatu ) and Dri -ma-Sum ( Skt : Trimala ). In drugs, diet and drinks they exist in the form of Ro-dug ( Skt : Shast -rasa) Nus-pa ( Virya ) Yontan ( Skt : Guna ) and Zhu- jes ( Skt : Vipaka ). Sowa - Rigpa

12. The basic theory of Sowa- Rigpa can be described in terms of the following five points: The body in disease as the locus of treatment; Antidote, i.e., the treatment; The method of treatment through antidote; Medicine that cures the disease; Materia Medica , Pharmacy & Pharmacology It is in context of this theory that a physician would use his knowledge, skills and experience in treating a patient, using the theory of similarity and dissimilarity ( Skt : Samanaya and Vísesa ) of five elements. Sowa - Rigpa

13. Six years course is sMenpa kachupa which is equivalent to Bachelor of Sowa Rigpa (Tibetan Medicine) . This course is presently conducted in following four Institutions in India : Central Institute of Buddhist Studies, Leh (under Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India) Tibetan Medical and Astrological Institute, Dharamsala HP of his Holiness Dalai Lama Central University for Tibetan Studies, Saranath UP (under Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India) Chagpori Medical Institute Darjeeling (W.B). Sowa - Rigpa

14. The Unani System of Medicine originated in Greece and was introduced in India by the Arabs and Persians sometime around the eleventh century.  Today, India is one of the leading countries for the practice of Unani medicine. It has the largest number of Unani educational, research and health care institutions. Unani system

15. The basic theory of Unani system is based upon the four- humour theory of Hippocrates. – ( Akhlat or khilwat )- these are- blood( khoon ), phlegm ( balgum ), yellow bile ( safra ) and black bile ( sauda ) The human body is considered to be made up of the following seven components are: Arkan ( Elements- 4 agni / jal / vayu / prithvi ) Mizaj ( Temperament/ prakriti - 2 ) Akhlat ( Humors/ dosha - 4 ) Aaza (Organs) Arwah (Spirits) Quwa ( Faculties- Natural/psychic/vital powers) Afaal (Functions) Unani system

16. Six essentials pre-requisites ( Asbab Sitta e Zaroriayah ) have been laid down for the promotion of health and prevention of disease. These are: Air Food and drinks Bodily movement and repose Psychic movement and repose Sleep and wakefulness Evacuation and retention Unani system

17. In this system the entire personality of a patient is taken into account. Each individual has got its own basic structure, physique, make-up, self-defense mechanism, reaction to environmental factors, likes and dislikes. Unani medicine has the following main types of treatment Regimental therapy ( Ilaj-bil-Tadbir ) Dieto therapy ( Ilaj-bil-Ghiza ) Pharnacotherapy ( Ilaj-bil-Dawa ) Surgery ( Ilaj-bil-Yad ) Unani system

18.  National Formulary for Unani Medicine (N.F.U.M) containing unani formulations and Unani Pharmacopoeia of India (U.P.I ) consist of  single drugs and compound formulations The Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine started functioning January 1979 with the objectives of running research programmes in Unani Medicine The education and training facilities in Unani system of medicine are presently being monitored by the Central Council of Indian Medicine, which is a statutory body set up by an Act of Parliament known as Indian Medicine Central Council Act 1970. Unani system

19.  Ayurveda is an ancient science of life, a classical system of healthcare originating from the Vedas documented around 5000 years ago . Around 1000 B.C. the knowledge of Ayurveda was first comprehensively documented in the compendia called Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita . As per the fundamental basis of Ayurveda, all objects and living bodies are composed of five basic elements, called the Pancha Mahabhootas , namely: sarvam dravyam panchbhautikam : Prithvi , Jal , Agni , Vayu and Akash Ayurveda System

20. Life in Ayurveda is conceived as the union of body, senses, mind and soul. Sharir indriya satva aatma sanyogo dhari jivitam … The living man is a conglomeration of three humors ( Vata , Pitta & Kapha ), seven basic tissues (Rasa, Rakta , Mansa, Meda , Asthi , Majja & Shukra ) and the waste products of the body (i.e . mala, mutra and sweda ). Dosha dhatu mal moolam hi shariram

21. The growth and decay of this body matrix and its constituents revolve around food which gets processed into humors, tissues and wastes. Ingestion , digestion, absorption, assimilation and metabolism of food have an interplay in health and disease which are significantly affected by psychological mechanisms as well as by Agni.

22. Responsible for maintenance of homeostasis of the body Health is nothing but a state of equilibrium of these tridosha , disturbance in this equilibrium results in diseases Any single substance or structure in the body cannot represent a Dosha . They are like variable of infinite value which take different identities at various levels like cellular, system or organism level. These are functional units of body and cannot be measured in quantity or calculated in volume. They perform various functions at various levels Tridosha – Vata Pitta Kapha

23. Vata – responsible for all the movements of body and also act as initiating and controlling factor. Pitta is responsible for digestion, metabolism, production of heat and other forms of energy (hence also called as agni ) Kapha performs the function like protection of body, strength, support, growth, immunity and resistance. For eg . At cellular level,- controlling and initiating part is nucleus, the energy production part is mitochondrial and cytoplasmic enzymes producing ATP, and protection of cell is the function of cell membrane .

24. At system level - nervous system V- Sensory and motor sensation run through neurons by ionic influx and efflux producing AP. P- Several enzymes and neurotransmitters also do play role in this transmission K-Protective function is through some structural entities and CSF, BBB etc

25. At organism level- Three system play important role in homeostasis these are- Nervous system (V), Endocrine system(P), and Immune system(K) All the functions of nervous system in the body are represented through VATA like control and coordination of different body parts, initiate and regulate all the movements of body, regulation of all psychological process, activities of sensory organs, production of speech, secreto -motor function of gut, expulsion of waste and control of respiration.

26. Pitta include all those factors responsible for digestion and metabolism ( Catabolic Functions ) and endocrine system. Like apart from all classical hormones, autocrine secretions, paracrine secretions, local hormones, hormones and enzymes of GIT, and neuro -secretions including neurotransmitters. Kapha include immune system and all such protective mechanism of body which provide strength, build, growth and support to the body including all the Anabolic Functions of body

27. Health or sickness depends on the presence or absence of a balanced state of the total body matrix including the balance between its different constituents . Both the intrinsic and extrinsic factors can cause disturbance in the natural equilibrium giving rise to diseases.  Vikaro dhatu vaishamyam samyam prakruti uchyate Dhutu samya kriya ch ukta tantrasya prayojnam

28. The principal objectives of Ayurveda are maintenance and promotion of health, prevention of disease and cure of sickness . Swasthasya swasthya rakshnam aturasya vikar prsmana Swasth /health- WHO def.(physical, mental, social and spiritual) vs Ayurveda def Samdosha samagnischa samdhatu malakriya Prasanna atmaendriya mana swastha itibhidhiyte The treatment approach in the Ayurveda system is holistic and individualized ( P rakruti ) having preventive, curative, mitigative , recuperative and rehabilitative aspects. Treatment of the disease consists in avoiding causative factors responsible for disequilibrium of the body matrix or of any of its constituent parts through the use of Panchkarma procedures, medicines, suitable diet, activity and regimen for restoring the balance and strengthening the body mechanisms to prevent or minimize re-occurrence of the disease

29. The treatment of disease can broadly be classified as: Shodhana therapy (Purification Treatment) Shamana therapy (Palliative Treatment) Pathya Vyavastha (Prescription of diet and activity) Nidan Parivarjan (Avoidance of disease causing and aggravating factors) Satvavajaya ( Psychotherapy) Rasayana therapy (use of immuno -modulators and rejuvenation medicines)