"भारत जड़ी-बूटियों का खजाना है, एक तरह से यह हमारा हरा सोना है।"

...... श्री नरेंद्र मोदी

 

आयुर्वेद भारत की चिकित्सा की समय परीक्षित पारंपरिक प्रणाली है। 'आयुर्वेद' शब्द का अर्थ 'जीवन का ज्ञान' संस्कृत के दो शब्दों 'आयु' अर्थात 'जीवन' और 'वेद' अर्थात 'ज्ञान' या 'विज्ञान' से मिलकर बना है।

 

Ayurveda is the time tested traditional system of medicine of India. The term 'Ayurveda' meaning 'the knowledge of life' comprises of two Sanskrit words viz. 'Ayu' meaning 'Life' and 'Veda' meaning 'Knowledge' or 'Science'.

 

Ayurveda, the science of life is one of the ancient and comprehensive systems of health care. Quest for good health and long life is probably as old as human existence. According to Indian philosophy, health is prerequisite to pursue materialistic, social and spiritual upliftment of human being.

 

It is believed that Lord Brahma the creator of the universe was also the first preacher of Ayurveda. Four Vedas considered as oldest Indian literatures composed between 5000 and 1000 BC have information on treatment by plants and natural procedures. Reference of medicine and surgery are also found in Indian epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata. However, Ayurveda was established as a fully grown medical system from the period of SAMHITA (compendium) i.e. around 1000 BC. The compendia like CHARAKA SAMHITA चरक संहिता and SUSHRUTA SAMHITA सूश्रुत संहिता were written in a systematic manner with eight specialties during this period. In these treatises, the basic tenets and therapeutic techniques of Ayurveda got very much organized and enunciated. These treatises stressed the importance of maintenance of health and also expanded their vision to pharmaco-therapeutics. The therapeutic properties of plants, animal products and minerals were extensively described in these compendia, which has made Ayurveda a comprehensive system of health care.

 

Ashtanga Ayurveda अष्टांग आयुर्वेद (Eight Branches of Ayurveda): Ayurveda was divided into eight major clinical specialties.

• Kayachikitsa कायाचिकित्सा (internal medicine) - This branch deals with general ailments of adults not treated by other branches of Ayurveda.

• Shalya Tantra शल्यतंत्र (surgery) - This branch deals with various surgical operations using different surgical instruments and devices. Medical treatment of surgical diseases is also mentioned.

• Shalakya शालक्य (disease of supra-clavicular origin) - This branch deals with dentistry, diseases of ear, nose, throat, oral cavity, head and their treatment by using special techniques.

• Kaumarabhrtya कौमाराभर्त्य (paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology) - This branch deals with childcare as well as the care of the woman before, during and after pregnancy. It also elaborates various diseases of women and children and their management.

• Bhootavidya भूतविद्या (psychiatry) - This is study of mental diseases and their treatment. Treatment methods include medicines, diet regulation, behavioral therapy, and spiritual therapy.

• Agada Tantra अगद तंत्र (toxicology) - This branch deals with the treatment of toxins from vegetables, minerals and animal origin along with development of their antidotes. The pollution of air, water, habitats and seasons has been given special consideration in understanding epidemics and pandemics.

• Rasayana Tantra रसायन तंत्र (rejuvenation and geriatrics) - This branch which is unique to Ayurveda, deals with prevention of diseases and promotion of a long and healthy life.

• Vajikarana वाजीकरन (Aphrodisiology and eugenics) - This branch deals with the means of enhancing sexual vitality and efficiency for producing healthy and ideal progeny.

 

Strengths of Ayurveda:

Comprehensive definition of health: Ayurveda defines health as a state of equilibrium of Dosha (regulatory and functional entities of the body), Dhatu (structural entities), Mala (excretory entities) and Agni (digestive and metabolic factors) along with healthy state of sensory and motor organs and mind with their harmonious relationship with the soul. As against definition of health, the diseased state is defined in Ayurveda as a loss of equilibrium of essential body constituents. The objective of disease management is to bring back the equilibrium, principally through lifestyle management rather than through curative therapies. The strength of Ayurveda lies in its three-fold holistic approach of prevention of disease, promotion of health and cure of disease. This is achieved through care of body, mind and soul where physical, mental and spiritual aspects of health are considered.

 

There were two main schools of thoughts in Ayurveda: Punarvasu Atreya - the school of physicians and Divodasa Dhanvantari- the school of surgeons. Punarvasu Atreya is mentioned as a pioneer in medicine, and Divodasa Dhanvantari in surgery. Disciples belonging to each school immensely contributed to development of the traditions of their own school. Six pupils of Atreya are believed to have composed their own compendia based on their Guru's teachings, but only two namely Bhela SAMHITA in its original form and Agnivesa tantra redacted by CHARAKA and Dridhabala are available today. Considered to be the most ancient and authoritative writing on Ayurveda available today, CHARAKA SAMHITA explains the logic and philosophy on which this system of medicine is based. Dhanvantari had six disciples and SUSHRUTA SAMHITA, a treatise primarily focusing on surgery was codified by SUSHRUTA based on teachings of DHANVANTARI.

 

The essential details of CHARAKA SAMHITA and SUSHRUTA SAMHITA were compiled and further updated in the treatises Astanga Sahgraha and Astanga Hrdaya authored by Vrddha Vaagbhatta and Vaagbhata during 6–7th Century AD. Thus, the main three treatises called Brhattrayi i.e., CHARAKA SAMHITA, SUSHRUTA SAMHITA and Astanga Sangraha formed basis for subsequent scholars to write texts and among them three concise classics i.e., Madhava Nidana, Sarngadhara Samhita and Bhava Prakasa having distinct features are called as Laghutrayi. Some other eminent practitioners and visionaries like Kasyapa, Bhela, and Harita also wrote their respective compendia.

 

An analysis of Ayurvedic treatises signifies that the different aspects of Ayurveda were evolved and documented from time to time in the form of texts or compendia. For instance, the CHARAKA SAMHITA an authentic source of internal medicine emphasizes on philosophy of life and line of treatment for different diseases. SUSHRUTA SAMHITA added a complete systematic approach to surgery and diseases of eyes, ear, throat, nose, head and dentistry. Madhava Nidana, authored by Madhavakara is a work on diagnosis of the diseases. Bhava Prakasa written by Bhava Mishra gives additional emphasis on medicinal plants and Diet. Sarngadhara Samhita focused on pharmaceutics and Ayurveda was enriched with addition of more formulations and dosage forms. Subsequently, texts of Ayurveda were commented upon, updated, and methodically written by many authors from time to time. A look into commentaries on the treatises by the scholars indicates that while the theoretical framework of Ayurveda remained the same, the knowledge about drugs and techniques of therapy got expanded. The old concepts and descriptions were reviewed and updated in the light of contemporary understanding by the commentators in their commentaries thus reviving Ayurveda into an applied form. Present form of Ayurveda is the outcome of continued scientific inputs that has gone into the evolution of its principles, theories, and practices.

 

Emphasis on promotion of health and prevention of diseases: Considering health of an individual as dynamic integration of environment, body, mind and soul, Ayurveda lays great emphasis on preservation and promotion of health and preventing the occurrence of diseases. The treatment modalities of Ayurveda are based on the inherent ability of the living body to rejuvenate, regenerate and restore the natural equilibrium. While treating the patient, Ayurvedic treatment helps to enhance the natural healing process in the body.

 

The prevention of disease and promotion of health is achieved by judicious practice of Dinacharya दिनचर्या (daily regimen), Ritucharya ऋतुचर्या (seasonal regimen) and Sadvritta सद्वृत्त (ethical code of conduct) in accordance with Prakruti प्रकृति (psychosomatic constitution). In this way significance of healthy lifestyle for maintenance of health is emphasized by Ayurveda. Do's and don'ts on personal and social behavior are elaborated for attaining total health. Great emphasis is given on Nidana Parivaijana i.e., keeping away from factors which cause or precipitate the disease, whereas therapeutic procedures like Panchkarma पंचकर्म help in eradicating the disease.

 

Importance of diet and lifestyle: The ultimate aim of this medical science is preservation of health, and it can be attained in two ways, i.e., observation of lifestyle recommendations to prevent the diseases and eradication of already afflicted diseases. The prerequisites to attain the prevention include wholesome diet, conservation of environment, congenial social and cultural atmosphere. Diet is an essential factor for the maintenance of health. Ayurveda emphasizes on diversified aspects of dietetics and nutrition viz. quality, quantity, processing methods, rationale of combination of food articles, emotional aspects, nature of the consumer, geographical and environmental conditions etc. Advocacy of proper diet and lifestyle, which is congenial to the individual, maintains normal body functions, thus prevents the diseases.

 

Holistic concept of health: Ayurveda considers a living being as a combination of body, mind and soul. All health management approaches are intended to maintain the harmony and homeostasis of these entities.

 

Individualized approach: Ayurveda considers that everyone has distinct psychosomatic constitution and health status. This is considered while advocating preventive, promotive and curative measures.

 

Universal approach: According to Ayurveda, the individual (microcosm) is a miniature replica of the universe (macrocosm). Every aspect of the universe is represented in the individual. Any change in the environment affects human being. Therefore, emphasis is laid on social and environmental factors which are interlinked with health.

 

Stress on public health and eugenics: The activities of the individual through his thought, word and deed have their good or bad effects on the environment. Ayurveda emphasizes upon healthy body, sound mind, benevolent speech and spiritual practices to create a healthy and happy environment. The pivotal role of eugenics mentioned in Ayurveda is to produce strong, healthy and ideal progeny.

 

Use of natural products: Ayurvedic products are derived mainly from plants and other natural resources. Supportive leads are emerging from revalidation of Ayurvedic drugs. 30 Identification of active principles of some plants has led to discovery of many allopathic drugs. Some pharmacologically proven constituents of the Ayurvedic plants like Aloe vera, Curcuma longa, withania somnifera, Bacopa monnieri etc. are used globally.

 

Areas of clinical strength: Ayurveda provides healthcare within the physical and financial reach of rural India. Some of the Ayurvedic medicinal plants and spices are widely used as home remedies in India for a wide range of common ailments. The common users of Ayurveda are individuals suffering from chronic intractable diseases. Ayurvedic treatment is effective in chronic disorders like sinusitis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity; psychosomatic disorders like depression, insomnia; digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), peptic ulcer, inflammatory bowel diseases; respiratory disorders like bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Musculo-skeletal disorders like arthritis, osteoporosis; neurological and neuro-degenerative disorders like paralytic conditions, sciatica, dementia, Parkinson's disease etc.

 

Unique therapeutic approach: Ayurveda advocates certain bio-cleansing and rejuvenating therapeutic measures such as Panchakarma, Rasayana for maintenance of healthy state as well as in the management of chronic diseases. Ksarasutra, a minimal invasive para-surgical procedure using medicated thread, widely cited in ancient medical literatures for its safety and efficacy is being successfully practiced as promising therapy for ano-rectal disorders. Such unique specialties of Ayurveda either as stand-alone or add on therapies are proven to have an edge over conventional medical approach in disease management and improving quality of life.