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Ayurveda
Traditional Indian medicine (Ayurveda) is a
good examples of how ancient science can still prove invaluable in modern
world. Ayurveda have become popular through out the world, as more and more
people are turning towards holistic medicine. Ayurveda deals not only with
the physical well being of a person but also with spiritual, mental and
social health of individuals - a concept now established and accepted even
by modern medicine. Ayurvedic medicine is a popular form of health care in
India, where it is taught in about 100 colleges and many other traditional
teachers teach Ayurveda in more traditional manner. It has gained currency
in the West as a form of alternative medicine.
Word Ayurveda, is formed by "ayu" meaning life
and "Veda" meaning knowledge and can be traced back to the evolution of
civilization. Thousands of years ago the Indian sages formulated the
fundamentals of Ayurveda . It is regarded as the Upaveda or sub-scripture of
the Yajurveda. Origin of Ayurveda is attributed to Dhanvantari, the
physician to the gods in Hindu mythology, who received it from Brahma. It is
believed from the astronomical records in ancient Vedic texts, that
Ayurveda, was in practice even before 4000 BC. Hence it is evident that
ayurveda was very mature and predominant in India thousands of years ago.
The most important Ayurvedic texts are the Caraka Samhita and Susruta
samhita (1st–4th century AD). These texts analyze the human body in terms of
earth, water, fire, air, and ether as well as the three energy channels (
Tridosha : Kaf, Pitta, Vat- roughly translated as - phlegm, bile and wind).
To prevent illness, Ayurvedic medicine emphasizes hygiene, exercise, herbal
preparations, and yoga. To cure ailments, it relies on herbal medicines,
physiotherapy, and diet. Main objectives of ayurveda have been divided into
two aspects namely:
These two aspects reflect the unique approach
of ayurveda. Therapeutics is not strictly related to treatment with
medicines but also to the form of treatment without medicines and in the
form of good conducts both personal as well as social. Many people consider
Ayurveda as just ordinary herbal medicine but even a cursory study of
Ayurveda will show that it is an art and science of healthy life. The sages
of ayurveda emphasized on the importance of preventive medicine by
developing individual's own immune system to fight against all possible
infections.Ayurveda is the branch of Vedic science, which deals with
physical body besides yoga, meditation, astrology, etc. There are eight
major branches of Ayurveda included under Ashtanga Ayurveda :
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Surgery (Shalya),
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ENT with Ophthalmology (Shalakya),
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Medicine (Kaya),
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Psychiatry (Bhoota )
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Gynecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics (Kaumara),
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Medical jurisprudence and toxicology (Agada),
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Gerontology (Rasayan) and
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Science of Aphrodisiac (Vajikarana).
According to Charaka entire Ayurveda is
explained in three strings (Trisutra), namely Hetusutra,
Lingasutra and Aushadhisutra, which are extremely helpful in
maintaining health and treating diseases.
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Hetusutra: It is the causative factor
of disease.
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Lingasutra: These are the sign and
symptoms developed due to the disease.
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Aushadhisutra: It is the means of
treatment
Ayurveda traditionally involves a holistic
treatment of the entire human being and its full cosmic nature. According to
the Upanishads, study and treatment of disease is the highest form of
asceticism (tapas), whereby the truth of life and the truth of one's own
self can be revealed. Ayurveda stresses, self-examination and introspection
is the first step and fundamental basis of understanding and resolving any
disease. Ayurveda has been found to be useful in treatment of all types of
diseases, especially the chronic diseases like arthritis, skin diseases,
diabetes and certain types of
cancers.
Useful Ayurveda links
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