The word "Ayurveda" is the combination of "ayus" & "veda," a derivation of Sanskrit words that means "life" and "knowledge" respectively. Hence, it is the "Science of life" or "knowledge of life."
In simple terms, Ayurveda deals with measures that are required for healthy living during the entire life span. It is one of the oldest systems of health care that deals with the prevention and cure of life.
Ayurveda is also a form of lifestyle that is adopted in maintaining perfect balance and harmony within human existence from abstract transcendental values to concrete physiological expressions. Living man is a conglomeration of three humours, seven basic tissues and the waste products of the body like faeces, urine and sweat. The three humours are Vata, Pitta and Kapha; seven tissues are Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Meda, Asthi, Majja and Shukra.
Five Elements of Ayurveda (Panchamahabhutas)
Ayurveda is based on five great elements known as Panchamahabhuta that combines in different ratios to form material world. Each element possess different amounts of gunas (quality). Hence, each of them has unique qualitative nature. Following are the elements :
- Akasha - Space
- Vayu or Pavan - Air or Wind
- Agni or Tejas - Fire
- Ap or Jala - Water
- Prithvi or Bhumi - Earth
There are eight branches of Ayurveda known as Ashthanga. They are as cited below:
- Internal Medicine
Kayachikitsa Tantra: Kaya means living human body (body and mind). This treatment includes all diseases situated in the body.
- Surgery - Shalya Tantra
It describes about pre-operative procedures, general procedures, post-operative procedures, anesthesia and marma's (vital points). It also describes about bandages, shastra (sharp instruments), yantras (blunt instruments) and sutures (stitches).
- Ears, Eyes, Nose and Throat - Shalakya Tantra
Its a division of otorhinolaryngology (ENT) and ophthalmology.
- Pediatrics - Kaumarabhritya Tantra
It deals with health and diseases related to children.
- Toxicology - Agada Tantra
It deals with food poisoning, snake bites, insect bites, dog bites etc.
- Purification of the Genetic Organs - Bajikarana (or
Vajikarana) Tantra
It deals with male and female genetic organs.
- Health and Longevity - Rasayana Tantra
It promotes long life and good health. It deals with old age problems and poor immunity.
- Spiritual Healing/Psychiatry - Bhuta Vidya
It deals with spiritual healing.
The basic principles of Ayurveda are briefly mentioned below :
- Doshas
Tridosha or the three humors is the most fundamental characteristic of Ayurveda. It is catagorised into vatta, pitaka and kapha.
- Dhatus
Dhatus are tissues classified into seven categories known as Sapt Dhatu. They are plasma, blood cells, muscular tissue, adipose tissue, bony tissue, bone marrow and reproductive tissue. These dhatus are the pillars of a body and are resposible for nourishment growth and support to both, body and mind.
- Malas
Malas are the waste products of a body. They are sweat (sweda), purisa (feces) and urine (mutra). These are the result of metabolic process of the body. Ayurveda says that the balance condition of these malas are key to good health.
Ayurveda medicine theory postulates that health exists only with the balance of three fundamental bodily humours or doshas known as Vata, Pitta and kapha.
- Vata is the air principle that is required to mobilize the function of nervous system.
- Pitta is the five principle that uses the bile for digestion.
- Kapha is the water principle that relates to mucous, lubrication and carrier of nutrients in the arterial system.
The medicines of ayurvda are made from various materials of vegetables, animal, and mineral origin that have some medicinal value. Few of them are mentioned below:
- Fresh juice of herbs
- Quath : It is crushed herbs that is used as decoction or tea for internal and external uses.
- Churna : It is fine powdered herbs that is used as medicine with water or in food for internal and external uses.
- Taila : It is herbs that is cooked in edible oil as per the rules laid down for internal and external uses.
- Ghrat/Ghrit : It is herbs that is cooked in special butter.
- Asav/Arista/Sura : It is a kind of light wine that is obtained after fermentation of herbs. · Arka: It is a distillation of herbs.
- Rasausadhi/Kharliya Rasayan : It is herbs that is mixed with metals, minerals and animal kingdom ingredients.
- Bhasma : They are the ashes.
- Parpaty : It is the combinations of Metals, Minerals, Animal Kingdom ingredients and Herbs.
- Kshar/Lavan/Salt/Drava : These are specially prepared medicaments.
- Guggula based medicaments.
- Lauha Bhasam : It is Mandoor Bhasam based medicaments.
- Avaleha/Modak/Paak/Prash : It it the herbs that is cooked in Jaggery or sugar.
- Bati/Gutika/Goli : It is the mixtures of medicines shaped in pills, pillules or tablets for ease of administration.
- Pralep/Anjan/Varti/Dhoop : Liniments, drops, paint, paste etc. for external uses.
