Ayurveda, an indigenous ancient medical science of India, is more than 5000 years old. It is considered to be an upveda of Atharva Veda. The mention of the use of herbs for medicinal purposes is found in the oldest available written literature of the world, Rigveda.
The word Ayurveda is a combination of two words: Ayu + Veda.
Ayu means life and Veda means science.
Thus Ayurveda is a science of life and not only the science of diseases.
The objective of Ayurveda is to keep the health of a healthy person and to cure the disease of the ill person.
Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicinal system remains the most ancient yet living tradition with a sound philosophical and experimental basis. It is a science of life with a holistic approach to health and personalized medicine. It is known to be a complete medical system that comprises physical, psychological, philosophical, ethical, and spiritual health. In Ayurveda, each cell is considered to be inherently an essential expression of pure intelligence hence called self-healing science. In addition, to the self-healing concept, the use of herbal treatment is equally important in this Indian traditional system of medicine.
Embrace Ayurveda: Where ancient wisdom meets modern wellness for a balanced, healthy life
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF AYURVEDA
Ayurveda has an age-old history since the 2nd Century BC. Ayurveda has its foundations laid by the ancient schools of Hindu Philosophical teachings named Vaisheshika and the school of logic named Nyaya. It is also related to the manifestation framework, well-known as Samkhya, and it was established in the same period when schools of Nyaya and Vaisheshika flourished.
The Vaisheshika School preached about inferences and perceptions that should be obtained about a patient’s pathological condition for treatment. Whereas, Nyaya school propagated its teachings on the basis that one should have an extensive knowledge of the patient’s condition, and the disease condition before proceeding for treatment.
The school of Vaisheshika classifies the attributes of any object into six types: substance, particularity, activity, generality, inherence, and quality called Dravya, Vishesha, Karma, Samanya, Samavay, and Guna respectively, in the Sanskrit language.
Later, Vaisheshika and Nyaya schools worked together and jointly founded the nyāya–vaiśeṣika school. The nyāya–vaiśeṣika school, in the later years, brought glory to the ancient knowledge and helped in disseminating the knowledge about Ayurveda. Even before these schools were established and also today, the origin of Ayurveda is considered to be divine, from the Hindu God, Brahma who is called the creator of the universe.
It is believed that the creator of the universe passed on this holistic knowledge of healing to the sages for the well-being of mankind. From the sages, the knowledge of traditional medicines was passed on to the disciples and then to the common man through various writings and oral narrations. The information about the healing properties of the herbs was composed in the form of poems, called “Shlokas”. These were used by sages to describe the use of medicinal plants.
The Hindu system of healing is believed to be based on four eminent compilations of knowledge (Vedas) called Yajur Veda, Rig Veda, Sam Veda, and Atharva Veda. The Rig Veda is the most well-known of all the four Vedas and describes 67 plants and 1028 Shlokas. The Atharva Veda and Yajur Veda describe 293 and 81 medicinally useful plants. The practice of Ayurveda is based upon the knowledge gained from these Vedas.
The writings in Rig Veda and Atharva Veda are attributed to “Atreya” who is believed to have been conferred with this knowledge from Lord Indra, who initially received it from Lord Brahma.
Agnivesha compiled the knowledge from the Vedas, and it was edited by Charaka and some other scholars and is presently called “Charaka Samhita”. Charaka Samhita describes all aspects of Ayurvedic medicine.
Sushruta Samhita describes the Science of Surgery.
Both these legendary compilations are still used by practitioners of traditional medicine. These ancient texts are available in various translations and languages like Tibetan, Greek, Chinese, Arabic, and Persian.
There are several other allied minor compilations like Nighantu Granthas, Madhava Nidana, and Bhava Prakasha from the contributions of various scholars, however, Charaka Samhita is the most respected of all the records.
Tridosha (‘Tri’= three+’ Dosa’= vitiation-capable) is an Ayurvedic idea, It consists of three fundamental biological energies, namely Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The dosas are responsible for homeostasis and the health of living beings. When these energy forces are in equilibrium the living beings are in a normal health status and when they are deviated produce diseases. Ayurveda has considered that the balanced state of Dosha, Dhatu, and Mala leads to a state of health and their imbalanced state produces disease.
The Vata, pitta, and kapha nomenclature to the doshas themselves Denotes their imaginative actions. The word Vata originated from “va” Dhatu which means gati/gandhana.
The word pitta is originated from “tap” Dhatu which means santapa
(for paka and sara kitta vibhajana), daha (dahana karma leading to parinama), aishwaya (the prospirity).
The word Kapha originated from the “shilsh” Dhatu which implies the functions like shleshana or poshana.
Therefore, doshas are defined as one that brings the body to motion and stabilizes it. Therefore, Tridoshas Specialized panchabhotik compounds are supposed to be”To render a “functional” body.
Vata – the Catabolic Dosha
This Dosha is formed by a combination of wind and space. The basic characteristic of the Dosha is movements, be they physical or spiritual. The Dosha controls the flow of neural impulses. Also, the Vata performs a major function of controlling the other two Doshas. The first focus of the Dosha is to constantly maintain a balance between all three Doshas. Further, the Vata Dosha has five sub-Dosha which include:
a) Prana Vata is found in the head and it controls the senses.
b) Vyana Vata controls all the controlled bodily actions and is found in the heart.
c) Udana Vata is found in the chest area and it controls the voice and intellectual abilities.
d) Samana Vata is present in the stomach and it controls the digestive processes.
e) Apana Vata controls all the discharges through the urinary tract and is found in the anal region.
Pitta – the Metabolic Dosha
Formed by a combination of fire and water, Pitta Dosha governs all the processes related to metabolism and changes (mental and physical) that occur in the body. The major functions performed by the Dosha include digesting food and further using it to make energy for the body. The Dosha is further divided into five sub-categories:
a) Ranjak Pitta produces Rakta or blood and is found in the stomach.
b) Bhrajak Pitta controls skin pigmentation and is found in the skin.
c) Aalochak Pitta is found in the eyes and controls the sight.
d) Sadhak Pitta is present in the heart and it governs the psychological capabilities of the body.
e) Pachak Pitta controls the digestive functioning of the body and is found in the duodenum part of
the small intestines.
Kapha – Anabolic Dosha
Earth and water together make Kapha, the anabolic Dosha. The most important function of the Kapha Dosha is to provide energy to the mind and body. The Dosha also controls the amount of water in the body and fills up those parts that have less water, till the cellular level. The Dosha also plays an important function at the psychological level where it is linked with emotions like envy and love. Kapha is further sub-classified into:
a) Kledak Kapha is found in the stomach and works to digest the food.
b) Shleshak Kapha is present in all joints of the body and controls the lubrication of joints.
c) Tarpak kapha is found in the head and controls intelligence.
d) Bodhak Kapha is found in the sensory organ of taste and governs the same.
e) Avalambak Kapha is present in the chest and it lubricates the heart and throat.
Conclusion
Ayurveda has evolved as a holistic system having an understanding of physiology enabling it to maintain and restore health with a few side effects and will focus rather on health.
Tridosha exists only in the living body. In non–living Tridosha doesn’t exist. Every cell of the body is made up of the tridosha. Tridosha theory regulates all the mechanisms.
The theory of tridosha forms the basis of Ayurveda.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ayurvedic medicine work?
If you ask someone when the flight takes off, any feeling of discomfort, or fear is there, it will be the stupidest question to ask. If you feel so, then only you will get the answer. So similarly, if you ask does Ayurvedic medicine works then first of all you will have to trust the pathy and then see the result that it works or not (like there is the feeling of fear in flight or not)
Which disease can be cured by Ayurveda?
The simplest answer for this is, the no. of diseases you know all can be cured by Ayurveda.
Can Ayurveda cure permanently?
Ayurveda is well known for curing disease by its roots like when the roots of any plant are removed plant dies, similarly when the disease is treated by Ayurveda it will be permanently cured. Once the disease is cured there are negligible chances that it will reoccur..
How much time does Ayurveda take to work?
This all depends upon the disease and more on the physician.