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Ayurveda (आयुर्वेद Sanskrit: ayu—life; veda—knowledge of) or ayurvedic medicine is a
more than 6,000 year old comprehensive system of medicine based on a holistic approach rooted in Vedic culture. Its
conspicuous use of the word veda, or knowledge, reveals its role in early Hinduism and describes its hallowed place in India. Ayurveda also had a tradition of
surgery. Two early texts (from centuries BCE) of Ayurveda are the Caraka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita.
| Ayurveda |
| This article is part of the branches of CAM series. |
| CAM Classifications |
| NCCAM: |
Alternative Medical System |
| Modality: |
Professionalized |
| Culture: |
Eastern Vedic |
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The Caraka and Sushruta Samhitās are compendiums of two traditions rather than texts authored by single authors. A third
tradition is that of the Kāshyapas. The beginnings of these traditions dates to the 2nd millennium BC if not earlier because of the parallel information obtained in the Vedic Samhitās and the description in the Mahābhārata. There is much that is
common in the texts, except that the Sushruta Samhitā is richer in the field of surgery. Part of the original Caraka Samhitā is lost, and the current version has several chapters by the
Kashmiri scholar Dridhabala.
An attempt to reconcile the texts of Caraka and Sushruta was made by Vāgbhata the Elder in 2nd century BC in his Ashtānga Sangraha. The works of Caraka, Sushruta, and the Elder Vagbhata
are considered canonical and reverentially called the Vriddha Trayi, "the triad of ancients"; or Brhat Trayi, "the greater
triad." Later, Vāgbhata the Younger wrote the Ashtānga Hridaya Samhitā which is a lucid presentation of the
Āyurveda giving due place to the surgical techniques of Sushruta. In the eighth century, Mādhav wrote his Nidāna,
which soon assumed a position of authority. In the 79 chapters of this book, he lists diseases along with their causes, symptoms,
and complications.
Ayurveda used inoculation for protection against smallpox. This was a consequence of the principle that like cures like on a small level, whereas at a
grosser level opposites cure opposites. Ayurveda has employed certain toxic substances in small dosages for powerful healing
effects, including its alchemical preparations. It also used various herbal and
animal toxins like snake venoms. It has a whole science of toxicology called agada-tantra as one of the eight branches
of traditional Ayurveda. This branch not only treated poisons but used them in certain conditions, generally in small
dosages.
The Ayurvedic idea is that the organism adapts to the environment and its food, climate etc. This principle of adaptation is
called satyma. Through introducing small amounts of a germ, the organism can adapt to it and learn to resist it.
Ayurveda became increasingly symptom-based, treating the symptoms of a disease
rather than the root cause. However, it is important to note that Ayurveda was
originally a consciousness based system of health care. Its philosophy, expressed in modern terms, is to strengthen the immune
system.
Qualities
It could be said that the simple essence of ayurveda is knowledge and awareness of the qualities of nature – called
gurvadi gunah. By understanding the qualities inherent in the environment, in foodstuffs, in activities, etc., one gains
an appreciation of their effects on the individual constitution through the principle of similarities; i.e., that similarities
cause increase while dissimilarities cause decrease. Thus hot qualities in the environment or diet will increase hot qualities in
the body.
The gurvadi gunah are listed in Vagbhata's Ashtanga Hrdayam as:
- Guru (heavy) – laghu (light)
- Manda (slow) – tikshna (quick, sharp)
- Hima (cold) – ushna (hot)
- Snigdha (unctuous) – ruksha (dry)
- Slakshna (smooth) – khara (rough)
- Sandra (solid) – drava (liquid)
- Mrdu (soft) – kathina (hard)
- Sthira (stable) – cala (mobile)
- Sukshma (subtle) – sthula (gross)
- Vishada (non-slimy) – picchila (slimy)
Since everything in the material world possesses combinations of the 20 qualities, ayurveda postulates that every material
process or object can either harm or heal a person by influencing that person's unique original constitution (called
prakrti). An ayurvedic practitioner will assess the qualities of a disorder, the patient's unique prakrti, and
his/her influencing factors to arrive at a treatment plan. The treatment plan will consist of using herbs, therapies, diet, etc.,
with opposite qualities so as to assist the patient in re-establishing their prakrti.
The Five Elements
According to the ancient Sankhya theory of cosmology, on which ayurveda is based, the five elements –
pancamahabhuta – combine in different proportions to form the material world. Each element possesses different
amounts of the above-mentioned gunas; thus each element has its unique qualitative nature. The elements are:
- Akasha – ether or space
- Vayu – air
- Tejas or agni – fire
- Apa or jala – water
- Prthvi – earth
Some authorities state that the early European concept of five elements evolved as a result of contact with ayurveda.
Doshas
The 3 main doshas (organizing qualities of intelligence) are Vata (resembles the classical elements ether and
air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (water and earth).
All bodily processes are believed to be governed by a balance of the 3 doshas. Whichever dosha appears to dominate a person's
behavior and physique is called his constitution type. Each constitution type has particular strengths and
susceptibilities.
Vata
- Vata, composed of air and space, governs all movement in the mind and body and must be kept in good balance. Too
much vata leads to "worries, insomnia, cramps and constipation.... Vata controls blood flow, elimination of wastes, breathing and
the movement of thoughts across the mind." Vata activates the nervous system, hearing and speech; and expresses as enthusiasm and
creativity. Vata also controls the other two principles, Pitta and Kapha, and is usually the first cause of
disease.
Pitta
- Pitta is said to be composed of fire and water; it governs "all heat, metabolism and transformation in the mind and body. It controls how we digest food, how we metabolize our
sensory perceptions, and how we discriminate between right and wrong." Pitta must be kept in balance, too. "Too much [Pitta] can
lead to anger, criticism, ulcers, rashes and thinning hair."
Kapha
- Kapha consists of earth and water. "Kapha cements the elements in the body, providing the material for physical
structure. This dosha maintains body resistance....Kapha lubricates the joints; provides moisture to the skin; helps to heal
wounds; fills the spaces in the body; gives biological strength, vigor and stability; supports memory retention; gives energy to
the heart and lungs and maintains immunity...Kapha is responsible for emotions of attachment, greed and long-standing envy; it is
also expressed in tendencies toward calmness, forgiveness and love." Too much Kapha leads to lethargy and weight gain, as well as
congestion and allergies.
In sum, Ayurveda represents a system that considers both the states of mind and body in its diagnosis and treatment. Ayurveda
took into consideration the fact that many illnesses are caused by foreign agents and small organisms that may require aggressive
intervention.
Today
Having lost state patronage during the British rule in India, Ayurveda is
making a slow comeback. In practice in India, there are Ayurvedic doctors who are purists
and others who choose to use it in combination with Western medicine.
Ayurveda is gaining lots of interest in the Western countries. Ayurvedic treatments in the West are primarily dietary and
herbal due to lack of well educated Ayurvedic practitioners. Patients are classified by body types, or prakriti, which are
determined by proportions of the three doshas. Illness and disease are considered to be a matter of imbalance in the doshas. Treatment is aimed at restoring harmony or
balance to the mind-body system.
Ayurvedic medicine is gaining in popularity around the world. There are a number of medical schools that teach Ayurveda.
See History of medicine
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