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All ayurvedic studies
conducted on herbal and holistic medicine in ancient India, followed
from the fountainhead of the two principle ayurvedic schools. The
School of Physicians (Atreya) and the School of Surgeons
(Dhanvantari) epitomized the eight main areas of ayurvedic
studies and specialization during ancient times. The details of
these eight branches of this natural alternative medicine are present
in the three ancient ayurvedic texts of: Charaka
Samhita,Susruta
Samhita and Astanga
Hridaya.
The word 'kaya' (body) not only refers to the gross body
of a person but to the subtle body as well. This natural alternative
medicine recognizes that the body of a person is the product of
the constant psychosomatic interactions. The imbalances in the three
doshas of vata-pitta-kapha occur sometimes
by the mind and sometimes by the body's dhatu (tissues) and
mala (toxin deposits). Hence, the kayachikitsa branch
of this system of herbal and holistic medicine, delves deep into
ascertaining the root cause of the illness. Then only a suitable
treatment is recommended to bring back mind and body into balance.
Though the prescription might give an impression that the treatment
is meant for the physical body, these in fact have a strong impact
on mind and soul of a person.
The
Charaka Samhita is the most important scripture on kayachikitsa.
It discussed the basic principles of treatment (mentioned above),
various types of therapies and purification or detoxification
methods i.e. panchakarma.
But, its thrust area has been diagnosis of a disease. Detail account
of various methods of diagnosis, study of various stages of symptoms
and the comprehensive management of debilitating diseases like
diabetes mellitus, tuberculosis, asthma and arthritic conditions.
The
section of Nidana Sthana of Charaka Samhita deals
with etiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis of an illness. Six stages
of the development of disease are enumerated as aggravation, accumulation,
overflow, relocation, build up in a new site and manifestation
into a recognizable disease (it is interesting to note that modern
medical science can only detect a disease during the fifth or
sixth stages of the illness). In kayachikitsa there is
always an opportunity to stop the disease at each stage preventing
its full manifestation.
One
of the significant methods of treatment under kayachikitsa
is panchakarma. This is a method of reversing the disease
path from its manifestation stage back into to its site of original
development through special forms of emesis, purgation and enema
etc. Another unique aspect of kayachikitsa is rejuvenation
called kayakalpa. The term kaya kalpa means
renewal of body. According to ayurveda the human body is made of
seven types of dhatu or tissues-structures—plasma, blood,
muscle, fat, bone, marrow and reproductive fluids. To prolong the
youthfulness of the body kayachikitsa applies several physical
and mental disciplinary methods with special medicinal preparations,
to rebuild the body's cells and tissues after the initial process
of detoxification, through panchakarma.
Contrary to the modern concepts surgery was pioneered by ayurveda
in ancient India. It is a significant branch of ayurveda. The
name of the sage-physician Susruta is synonymous with surgery.
From his treatise Susruta Samhita we come to know that
thousand of years ago sophisticated methods of surgery were practiced
in India.
The
original text of Susruta discusses in detail about an exhaustive
range of surgical methods including about how to deal with various
types of tumors, internal and external injuries, fracture of
bones, complications during pregnancy and delivery, and obstruction
in intestinal loop. Susruta was the first surgeon to develop
cosmetic surgery. His surgical treatment for trichiasis can
be to some of the modern operative techniques used for this
eye disease.
The
use of various surgical instruments is also described in the
Susruta Samhita for the treatment. The instruments described
were made from stone, wood and other such natural materials.
Shalya
Tantra was popular because this could give fast relief as
compared to the slow process of recovery from medicines or herbs.
Charaka the best-known physician of ayurvedic medicine also
recommended for Shalya Tantra in treatment of certain
diseases, which required immediate attention like hemorrhoids.
The
long foreign rule in India and lack of promotion stalled the progress
of ayurvedic surgery in the middle of the second millennium.
This branch of ayurveda deals in details with the etiology, diagnosis,
prognosis, prevention and treatment of diseases of head, ear,
nose, eye and throat. The name of this branch was called Shalakya
due to excessive use of 'Shalaka', which means a rod or
probe. Though all the three main classics of ayurveda deals on
this subject, Susruta Samhita describes more deeply about
this branch. So much so that some of the classifications found
in the Susruta Samhita are mot even traced by the modern
medical science. It described five types of pterygium, and the
prognosis it made about aveitis and glaucoma has not been improved
since. In fact he is the first surgeon in medical history who
systematically and elaborately dealt with anatomical structure
of eye.
Susruta
has discussed about 72 diseases of the eye. He has stipulated
drug therapy for various types of conjunctivitis and glaucoma
along with surgical procedures of the removal of cataract, pterygium,
diseases of ear, nose and throat besides cosmetic surgery for
traumatized nose and ear (rhinoplasty and auraplasty).
Apart
from these complicated methods of treatment the three samhitas—Charaka,
Susruta and Astanga Hridaya, recommended simple
home remedies for minor problems like dryness of eye, migraine
and mouth ulcers etc. which are being successfully administered
even today.
Agada tantra or Toxicology branch of ayurveda described
about various methods of cleaning the poisons out of the body
as well as recommends antidotes for particular poisons. It deals
with a wide range of natural toxins originating from wild lives
(animals, birds, insects etc.), plants/herbs (belladonna, aconite
etc.), vegetables, minerals (leads, mercury, arsenal etc.) and
artificial poisons prepared from poisonous drugs. This branch
also deals with air and water pollution, which are basically the
causes of various dangerous epidemics.
The
three samhitas described about this branch of toxicology,
which also include description, and disadvantages of food of
opposite qualities, drugs and food causing chronic poisoning
symptoms. In ayurveda certain poisons are used as medicines
after proper processing and quantification. Precious stones
like diamond, ruby and poisonous minerals like lead and mercury
were in use for this purpose.
This
branch also has information regarding fatal doses of various poisons,
which are resorted to in a view to administer those into an enemy's
body system.
This
branch of kaumarabhritya deals comprehensively about prenatal,
postnatal baby care and gynecology. With the view to achieve its
ultimate aim of creating a healthy and disease free society ayurveda
strives to make the baby from the time of its conception upto
the time of its growth into an adult.
Kaumarabhritya
has recognized that the mental and physical state of the mother has direct links
with the health of the child. It has recommended particular diet, regimen, nutrition
and conduct for women during and after delivery. So advanced was this science
that thousands of years back Charaka described the growth and progress of fetus
in minute detail. Even it mentioned about a technique called punsanvan vidhi
for having a child of one's desired gender, intelligence and constitution. This
branch meticulously dealt with the problem of infertility—its causes and
treatment methods.
Apart
from that kaumarbhritya deals with various disorders concerning children's
health such as gastrointestinal diseases, teething disorder, rickets other than
midwifery.
Ayurveda in this branch of science explains the art of producing
healthy progeny for the creation of a better society. Hence,
deals with various diseases like infertility and conditions
relating to weak shukra dhatu or the vital reproductive
fluids of the body. Apart from prescribing a lot of effective
formulations to provide nutrition to enhance the quality of
this vital body fluids it specifically emphasized to lead a
highly disciplined life.
This
branch of ayurveda
highlighted that celibacy is essential for good health. It helps
increase the will power, intellect and memory in addition to a
healthy body. The shukra dhatu has a direct link with ojas
or the immunity of the body. Hence, vajikaran prescribed
the therapeutic use of various aphrodisiacs and tonic preparations
for enhancing the vigor and reproductive capabilities of men that
also strengthens other body tissues (dhatus) like muscles,
fats, bones and blood.
This branch of ayurveda specifically deals with the diseases
of mind or psychic conditions, which can be caused by super
natural forces. Different experts have explained the word bhuta
differently. Some experts say that bhuta means ghosts
and similar bad spirits who cause abnormal psychological conditions.
Others say bhuta represents microscopic organisms such
as virus, bacteria that are not visible to naked eye. Ayurveda
also believes in the past karma as a causative factor
of certain diseases. Bhuta Vidya deals with the causes,
which are directly not visible and have no direct explanation
in terms of tridosha.
In
many cases illness is caused by the disturbance of mind, where rajas (passion)
and tamas (ignorance) are supposed to be the contributing factors. These
problems can be related to modern psychiatry.
Bhuta
Vidya mention use of various disinfectant plants under the
title of 'graha vidyadravya' for fumigation to
make the atmosphere germ free. In addition to this herbs, diet,
use of mantras and yogic therapies like meditation
and pranayama
to pacify the psychological disturbances of a patient.
All therapies in ayurveda aim to provide good all round health,
so that people can engage in achieving the real goal of life—self-realization.
The rasayana therapy increases the life force (ojas)
and immunity of a person and thus there is a regeneration of
cells and tissues in the body. Rasayana is a therapeutic
process to defer old age.
The sages of ancient times led long, disease-free, and vigorous
lives with the help of rasayanas. Lord Indra is supposed
to have given the knowledge of these panaceas to the sages.
Literally, rasayana means the augmentation of rasa,
the vital fluid produced by the digestion of food. It is the
rasa flowing in the body which sustains life. Rasayana
in ayurveda is, the method of treatment through which the rasa
is maintained in the body.
Another
connotation of rasa in ayurveda is that it is a herbal
medicine, which maintains the life and health of the individual,
and increases his bodily and mental vigor. herbal medicines
are categorized according to whether they promote general health
and longevity, sexual vigor, immunity. The three medicine categories
are known in ayurveda as rasayana, vajikarana,
and aushadhis, respectively. These categories are complementary
to each other.
Rasayanas prepared from the herbs and medicinal plants
of amalaki, haritiki, triphala, bhringaraja,
ashwagandha, punarnava, chitraka and many
other herbal medicines have been used from time immemorial and
have been instrumental in giving long, disease-free, and vigorous
lives to their users.
The human body contains some chemical elements, which are known
as trace elements. Nine such elements are now recognized: cobalt,
copper, fluorine, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium,
and zinc. Ayurveda has always been using various metals, jewels,
and pearls as medicines for certain deficiency diseases. These
elements are turned into calxes or bhasmas for administration
in different diseases. Calxes of gold, silver, copper and iron
are widely used.
Jewels or ratnas include precious and semiprecious stones,
which are used as drugs because of their therapeutic properties.
Major jewels or maharatnas include: diamond—hiraka;
ruby—manikya; pearl—mukta; topaz—pushparaga;
sapphire—neelam; emerald—tarksha; cat's
eye—vaidurya; zircon—gomedak; and caulk—vidruma.
Uparatnas or minor jewels like sun-stone—suryakant
, moonstone—chandrakanta, and crystal—sphatik
were in use.
The
calx of diamond is a powerful cardiac tonic and one of the best
elixirs. It was applied in curing diabetes, urinary troubles,
and anemia. Because of its powerful aphrodisiac qualities the
calx of diamond was used to treat impotence. The calx of rubies
was used to increase intelligence, virility, and longevity. It
also cures disorders produced by the vitiation of the three doshas.
Much more than physical health, ayurveda begins with healing genetic
physical weakness. It goes a great length to ascertain these inherited
hindrances in one's being. Then it recommends practice of suitable
lifestyle regimens, which guard those faults, and use herbs and
essential oils to heal and mend those weaknesses. Another aim
of ayurvedic is to ensure balance of the three doshas.
Following these rules the rasayana branch of treatment
resorts to herb preparations and oils, bodywork, meditative practices,
mantra exercises and breathing/pranayama to attain
total mind-body healing. Rasayana oils have properties
to bring balance in specific dosha types.
Administration
of Rasayana The Rasayana therapy is taken in two different
ways:
Kutipravesika
In this process, elaborate arrangements are made for the construction
of a special type of cottage where the individual is supposed
to stay secluded, while taking the Rasayana. The person
has to strictly follow the diets and other instructions of the
physician. Here, he undergoes the detoxification process called
Panchakarma therapy before taking the rejuvenation. Rejuvenation
is done with help of some specific medicinal formulations and
a specific lifestyle regimen. Kaya kalpa is a special
rejuvenating method.
The
term kaya kalpa means renewal of body. According to ayurveda
the human body is made of seven types of dhatu or tissues-structures
such as plasma, blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow and reproductive
fluids. To prolong the youthfulness of the body several physical
as well as mental disciplinary methods along with rasayanas
or herbal medicines are used, to rebuild the body's cells and
tissues after the initial process of detoxification—panchakarma.
Kaya
kalpa is that unique therapy, which brings about complete
rejuvenation of the body through cell and tissue renewal. It is
supposed to endow an individual with longevity, memory, intellect,
youth, strength of sensory and motor organs, even, an excellent
complexion and voice.
Vatatapika
This method is best for people who don't have time to stay in
the ayurvedic clinic to take the first kind of rejuvenation.
It comprises of different types ayurvedic herbal preparations
which are taken as prescribed by the doctor.
Rasayana
is held as the culmination of ayurvedic wisdom.
