Ayurveda

Dr. Tahir Ali
Lecturer
Pharmacognosy department,
RIPS,
Riphah International University, Lhr, Pk.

1. Ayurveda The Indian System of Medicine Dr. Tahir Ali RIPS Riphah International University

2. History Came into existence in about 900 B.C. The word Ayurveda means Ayur meaning life and Veda meaning science . The Indian Hindu mythology states four Veda written by the Aryans : Rig Veda, Sam Veda, Yajur Veda and Atharva Veda. The Ayurveda is said to be an Upaveda (part) of Atharva Veda .

3. Charaka Samhita (1900 B.C.) is the first recorded book with the concept of practice of Ayurveda. This describes 341 plants and plant products used in medicine. Sushruta Samhit a (600 B.C.) was the next ayurvedic literature that has special emphasis on surgery. It described 395 medicinal plants , 57 drugs of animal origin, 4 minerals and metals as therapeutic agents.

4. Basic principles of ayurveda According to ancient Indian philosophy, the universe is composed of five basic elements or pancha bhutas : Prithvi (earth ), jal (water), T eja (fire), vayu (air) and akash (space). Everything in the universe, including food and the bodies were derived from these bhutas .

5. A fundamental harmony therefore exists between the macrocosm (the universe) and the microcosm (the individual). The Pancha Bhuta theory and the human body: The human body is in a state of continuous flux or dynamic equilibrium. The pancha bhutas are represented in the human body as the doshas , dhatus and malas .

6. There are three D oshas in the body also known as tridoshas

7. Doshas The doshas derive from the Five Elements and their related properties .   Vata   is composed of Space and Air ,  Pitta   of Fire and Water ,   Kapha  of Earth and Water.  

8. Vata Vata derives from the elements of Space and Air and translates as “wind” or “that which moves things.” It is the energy of movement and the force governing all biological activity. Vata is often called the “King of the Doshas ,” since it governs the body’s greater life force and gives motion to Pitta and Kapha .

9. Vata Just as the wind in balance provides movement and expression to the natural world, the balanced Vata individual is active, creative, and gifted with a natural ability to express and communicate. When the wind in a Vata type rages like a hurricane, negative qualities quickly overshadow these positive attributes. Common signs of Vata imbalance include anxiety and bodily disorders related to dryness, such as dry skin and constipation.

10. Vata The main locations of Vata in the body are the colon, thighs, bones, joints, ears, skin, brain, and nerve tissues. Physiologically , Vata governs anything related to movement, such as breathing, talking, nerve impulses, movements in the muscles and tissues, circulation, assimilation of food, elimination, urination, and menstruation. Psychologically , Vata governs communication, creativity, flexibility, and quickness of thought.

11. Pitta Pitta derives from the elements of Fire and Water and translates as “ that which cooks .”  It is the energy of digestion and metabolism in the body that functions through carrier substances such as organic acids, hormones, enzymes, and bile . The qualities of Pitta are oily, sharp, hot, light, moving, liquid, and acidic. 

12. Pitta The main locations of Pitta in the body are the small intestine, stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, blood, eyes, and sweat. Physiologically , Pitta provides the body with heat and energy through the breakdown of complex food molecules. It governs all processes related to conversion and transformation throughout the mind and body. Psychologically, Pitta governs joy, courage, willpower, anger, jealousy, and mental perception.

13. Pitta When a person has a tendency to “overheat,” excess Pitta is usually the culprit. Just as a campfire may turn into a forest fire without proper care, the internal fire of the mind and body must be kept in check . There is a saying that imbalanced Pitta individuals don’t go to hell; they simply create it wherever they go! Pitta imbalances commonly manifest in the body as infection, inflammation, rashes, ulcers, heartburn, and fever.

14. Kapha Kapha derives from the elements of Earth and Water and translates as “that which sticks.” It is the energy of building and lubrication that provides the body with physical form, structure, and the smooth functioning of all its parts. Kapha can be thought of as the essential cement, glue, and lubrication of the body in one . The qualities of Kapha are moist, cold, heavy, dull, soft, sticky, and static

15. Kapha The main locations of Kapha in the body are the chest, throat, lungs, head, lymph, fatty tissue, connective tissue, ligaments, and tendons. Physiologically , Kapha moistens food, gives bulk to our tissues, lubricates joints, stores energy, and relates to cool bodily fluids such as water, mucous, and lymph. Psychologically , Kapha governs love, patience, forgiveness, greed, attachment, and mental inertia. With its earthly makeup, Kapha grounds Vata and Pitta and helps offset imbalances related to these doshas .

16. Kapha Just as a nourishing rainstorm may turn into a rampant flood, the fluids of the body may flood the bodily tissues, contributing to a heavy dampness that weighs down the body and clouds the mind. This dense, cold, and swampy environment becomes the breeding ground for a number of bodily disorders such as obesity, sinus congestion, and anything related to mucous. Mentally , the loving and calm disposition of the Kapha individual may transform into lethargy, attachment, and depression.

17. D hatus The dhatus are the body constituents and form the basic structure of the body; each one having its own functions. The dhatus are seven in number:

18. Malas Malas   in   Ayurveda , the waste products of the body, which include urine , stool , Sweat Effective elimination of  malas  is said to be important for maintaining good health.

19. Now The doshas , dhatus and malas should be in a state of perfect equilibrium for the body to remain healthy. Any imbalance among these constituents results in ill health and disease.

20. Diagnosis The classical clinical examination in Ayurveda is called ashta sthana pariksha (eight-point diagnosis) and includes an assessment of the state of the doshas as well as various physical signs. The eight-point diagnoses are N adi pariksha (pulse diagnosis), M utra pariksha (urine examination), V ata/ sparsha (Nervous system assessment), P itta/ drik ( assessment of digestive fire and metabolic secretions ), K apha / akriti (mucous and mucoid secretions assessment), M ala pariksha (stool examination), J ihva pariksha (tongue examination) and S habda pariksha (examination of body sounds).

21. Treatment “ Focus on the person than the disease” In Ayurveda, before starting the treatment, a person’s constitutional type should be determined. Drugs are prescribed based on the patient’s body type as well as on what disease or disturbance of the doshas they are suffering from. Everything that might affect the patient’s health, including their activities, the time of the day, and the season should be taken into consideration.

22. Treatment Ayurvedic treatment attempts to establish a balance among vata , pitta and kapha , as well as to improve digestion and elimination of ama (undigested food ). Ayurvedic therapy often begins with shodhana ( cleansing) in which toxins, emotional or physical, are eliminated or neutralized . Once shodhana is completed, shamana ( palliative treatment ) is used to reduce the intensity of a disease and balance the disordered doshas . Finally , rasayana ( rejuvenation therapy ) is used to maintain health and reduce the negative effects of disease.

23. Branches of ayurveda Ayurveda has eight branches: Kaya Chikitsa (Medicine), Salya Chikitsa (Surgery), Salakya Chikitsa (ENT treatment), Bala Chikitsa ( Paediatric treatment), Jara Chikitsa ( treatment related to genetics), Vajikarama Chikitsa (treatment with rejuvenation and aphrodisiacs), Graham Chikitsa (planetary effects) Visha Chikitsa (toxicology).