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Ayurveda is an ancient system of health care that is native to the Indian subcontinent. It is presently in daily use by millions of people in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and indirectly through it being the major influence on Unani, Chinese and Tibetan Medicine. The word "Ayurveda" is a tatpurusha compound of the word Ayus meaning "life" or "life principle", and the word Veda, which refers to a system of "knowledge". Thus "Ayurveda" roughly translates as the "knowledge of life".
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According to Charaka Samhita, "life" itself is defined as the "combination of the body, sense organs, mind and soul, the factor responsible for preventing decay and death, which sustains the body over time, and guides the processes of rebirth" According to this perspective, Ayurveda is concerned with measures to protect "ayus", which includes healthy living along with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual harmony. Ayurveda is also one among the few traditional systems of medicine to contain a sophisticated system of surgery (which is referred to as "salya-chikitsa"). |
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• Eight Branches (Ashthanga) of Ayurveda |
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1. Internal medicine - Kayachikitsa |
2. Surgery - Shalya Tantra |
| 3. Ears, eyes, nose and throat - Shalakya tantra |
4. Pediatrics - Kaumarabhritya Tantra |
5. Toxicology - Agada Tantra |
6. Purification of the genetic organs - Bajikarana (or Vajikarana) Tantra |
| 7. Health and Longevity - Rasayana Tantra |
8. Spiritual Healing/Psychiatry - Bhuta Vidya |
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• Tridosha system |
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The central concept of Ayurvedic medicine is the theory that health exists when there is a balance between three fundamental bodily humours or doshas called Vata, Pitta and Kapha. |
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Vata is the impulse principle necessary to mobilize the function of the nervous system
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| Pitta is the energy principle which uses bile to direct digestion and hence metabolism into the venous system. |
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Kapha is the body fluid principle which relates to mucous, lubrication and the carrier of nutrients into the arterial system. |
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• Medications |
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Ayurvedic practitioners believe that the tulsi (holy basil) plant has medicinal qualitiesAyurveda operates on the precept that various materials of vegetable, animal, and mineral origin have some medicinal value. The medicinal properties of these materials have been documented by the practitioners and have been used for centuries to cure illness and/or help maintain good health. Ayurvedic medicaments are made from herbs or mixtures of herbs, either alone or in combination with minerals, metals and other ingredients of animal origin. The metals, animals and minerals are purified by individual processes before being used for medicinal purposes. |
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• Panchakarma and Ayurvedic massage |
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| • Panchakarma : |
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Panchakarma (the five actions or modalities) is a collection of purification techniques that Ayurveda prescribes for some diseases and for periodic cleansing. A course of Pancharkarma typically includes a short-term dietary prescription, massage, herbs, and may include purgatives, sweat baths, medicated enemas, and nasal cleansing. |
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| • Massage: |
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Ayurvedic massage is a form of treatment for various age related and other common disorders. Some of the advantages which can be cited are pain relief, improved circulation, stress relief, better sleep, flexibility, athletic performance and emotional benefits [citation needed]. |
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Massage therapy can soothe pain, relax stiff muscles, and reduce the swelling that accompanies arthritis [citation needed]. Advocates claim that, with ayurvedic massage, deep-seated toxins in the joints and tissues are loosened and released into the system for elimination through natural toxin-release processes. Ayurvedic massage is especially developed in Sri Lanka and the Indian state of Kerala |
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