Introduction to ayurveda

The brief introduction about Ayurveda

1. Ayurveda The Science of Life

2. Introduction Ayurveda is the most ancient(900 B.C.) and renowned system of medicine in India. It is more than 5000 years old system. But yet has the potential to cure many diseases in an efficient manner. Ayurveda is made from two words. " Ayuh " means life and " Ved " means knowledge or science. Thus "AYURVEDA’ in totality means ‘ Science of Life ’.

3. Origin and Development Ayurveda is considered to be a part of Atharva Veda . Ancient mythology contends that the concept and essence of Ayurveda was revealed by the creator of the world himself – Lord Brahma. Ved- Vyasa , the famous sage, shaktavesha avatar of Vishnu, put into writing the complete knowledge of Ayurveda into a body of scriptural literature called the Vedas.

4. The Vedic Sages took the passages from the Vedic Scriptures relating to Ayurveda and compiled separate books dealing only with Ayurveda. One of these books, called the Atreya Samhita is the oldest medical book in the world! There are two main re-organizers of Ayurveda whose works are still existing today - Charak and Sushrut . The third major treatise is called the Ashtanga Hridaya , which is a concise version of the works of Charak and Sushrut.

5. Astanga Ayurveda Kaya Chikitsa (Medicine) Salya Chikitsa (Surgery) Salakya Chikitsa (ENT treatment) Bala Chikitsa (Pediatric treatment) Jara Chikitsa (Treatment related to genetics) Rasayana Chikitsa (Treatment with chemicals) Vajikarma Chikitsa (Treatment with rejuvenation and aphrodisiacs) Visha Chikitsa (Toxicology)

6. The Concept Everything in universe is composed of 5 basic elements known as Panchamahabhutas Prithvi (earth) Apa / Jala (water) Teja / agni (fire) Vayu (air) Akasha (vacuum/void)

7. These 5 elements exists in the body in combine form of doshas , dhatus and malas . Tridosha (3 humours ) Sapta dhatu (7 basic tissues) Trimalas (3 waste products) Vata , Pitta, Kapha Rasa, Rakta , Mansa, Meda , Asthi , Majja , Sukra Purusha , Mootra , Sweda

8. Panchamahabhuta Theory According to Ayurveda, the entire universe is made up of 5 basic elements. The body has perfect balance of these elements and when the balance is disturbed, an unhealthy condition develops which we call as illness.

9. Tridosha Theory The 5 elements combine to form the 3 doshas. The word dosha means impurity or imbalance. Tridosha exists in everything and influence the physical and mental process of body. Health is maintained when these doshas are in harmony with each other. Any imbalance leads to development of disease in the body.

10. Vata The biological air humour is called “ vata ”. Governs other and responsible for all physical processes. Helps in exhalation, movement & discharge impulses, equilibrium of tissues and coordination of senses. When disturbed causes illness, weakness, tremors, constipation, insomnia. Located in colon, thigh, hips, ears & bones.

11. Pitta The biological fire humour is called “Pitta ”. Responsible for all chemical and metabolic transformation in the body. Exists mainly in acid form as fire. Governs digesion , heat, hunger, thirst, intelligence, courage & softness of body. In excess causes yellow color of stool, urine, eyes & skin. Located in smal intestine, stomach, blood, lymph.

12. Kapha The biological water humour is called “ Kapha ”. Gives stability, lubrication & holding together of joints. Excessive kapha causes depression of digestive fire, nausea, lethargy, cough, difficult breathing, excessive sleeping.

13. Diagnosis The Charak Samhita describes “ Nidana sthana ” which is concerned with the diagnosis of disease. It gives details of etiology, pathology, signs and symptoms of disease. Recording of the pulse is very important in Ayurvedic diagnosis. Ayurvedic practitioners look for the dominance of dosha on the basis of pulse characters.

14. Systemic examination is also a part of diagnosis. E.g. Functional nature of respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and circulatory system, etc. is noted. Investigation of malas also helps in the diagnosis of the disease.

15. Treatment It mainly consists of two types of treatments: 1) Shodhana karma/ Panchakarma (elimination of morbid factors) 2) Shaman karma (palliative treatment)

16. Panchakarma Panchakarma is Ayurveda’s primary purification and detoxification treatment. This is a process used to clean the toxic materials in the body left by disease and poor nutrition. Ayurveda says that imbalanced doshas create waste matter. This waste matter is called Ama in Ayurveda.

17. Panchakarma will stick out the excess doshas (or imbalances in the dosha) along with the Ama out of your system by means of the body waste evacuation channels such as sweat glands, urinary tract, intestines, etc. Panchakarma is, thus, a balancing operation. Ayurveda recommends Panchakarma as a seasonal treatment for toning your mind body system.

18. Drug Formulation Theory For formulation and assessment of action of the drugs, the theory of rasa- guna - virya - vipaka - prabhava was established. With this theory it is more convenient for a physician to formulate the medicine according to the need of the patient and not necessarily depend on the pharmaceutical preparations.

19. Rasa - therapeutically active agent Guna - quality Virya - an active principle by which potency is characterized Vipaka - end product of digestion Prabhava - actual therapeutical activity of drug in the individual

20. Ayurvedic Formulations Asava and arista Arka Avaleha and paka Kvatha churna Guggulu Ghrita Churna Taila Vati and gutika Varti , netrabindu and anjana Kupipakva rasayana Parpati Pisti Bhasma Mandura Rasayoga Lauha

21. Rasayana It is believed in Ayurveda that the qualities of rasa dhatu influences the health of other dhatus of the body. Hence any medicine which improves the quality of rasa can be called as rasayana . According to Charaka “With a rasayana, one obtains longevity, regains youth, vitality and vigor, gets a sharp memory, intellect and  freedom from diseases, gets a lustrous complexion and the strength of a horse.”

22. According to Shushrut “A rasayana is anti-ageing, increases life-span, promotes intelligence and memory and increases resistance to disease.”

23. Properties Anti ageing Adaptogen Immunostimulant and immunomodulator Anti mutagenic Strengthens brain and mind Prevents disease Promotes life and bestows longevity Anti stress and anti oxidant