What is Ayurveda

AYURVEDA –“ The science of life ” is a holistically approachable & dignified system of medicine which has got its root from the ancient India. The principles & philosophy of Ayurveda views man as a complex whole, including our external & internal environment.

The basic principles have been derived assuming the nature & all its constituents & universal law of nature. The chief objectives of Ayurveda is to protect & preserves the health of the body & to alleviate the disorders in the diseased . More of such principles will be discussed in the chapters ahead .

• The grand treatise, which contains the details of health and long age (ayu) and which defines what is good (hita) and what is bad (ahita) for the four different types of ayus (namely, hitayu, ahitayu, sukhayu and dukhayu) is Ayurveda.
• It is not just a health care system but a form of life style adopted to maintain perfect health.
• Ayurveda is a healthy-lifestyle system that people in India have used for more than 5,000 years. Ayurveda emphasizes good health and prevention and treatment of illness through lifestyle practices (such as massage, meditation, yoga, and dietary changes) and the use of herbal remedies.
• Ayurveda is a complete medical system which recognizes that ultimately all intelligence and wisdom flows from one Absolute source (Paramatma).

• Health manifests by the grace of the Absolute, acting through the laws of Nature (Prakriti). Ayurveda assists Nature by promoting harmony between the individual and Nature by living a life of balance according to her laws.
• In short, it is a unique blend of science and philosophy that balances the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual components necessary for holistic health.
• Ayurvedic medicine is holistic, which means viewing the body and mind as a whole. Ayurveda not only treats a person’s physical complaints, but it also changes lifestyle practices to help maintain or improve health.
• Branches out into:
  1. Kayacikitsa (Medicine)
  2. Shalakya (Ent. &Optha.)
  3. Shalya (Surgery)
  4. Visha Vigyan (Toxicology)
  5. Bhuta Vidya (Psychiatry Medicine)
  6. Kaumarabhrtya(Pediatrics)
  7. Rasayana (Rejuvenates)
  8. Vajikarana (Aphrodisiac)

• Treatment in Ayurveda involves four components. These are:
  1. Bhishak (physician/surgeon)
  2. Rogi (patient)
  3. Upasthata (nurse or caregiver)
  4. Dravyam (food/medicine).
• These components are linked with one another and must possess certain qualities in order for the overall treatment to be effective.
• The bhishak must possess vast medical knowledge and experience. He or she must be dexterous, disciplined, and clean.
• The rogi must be able to describe the complaints he or she is feeling, comply and follow the bhishak’s prescription carefully, and must be tolerant of the procedures.
• The upasthata must have substantial knowledge and experience in nursing, must be dexterous and compassionate towards the patient.
• Lastly, the dravyam should be abundant and easily accessible and appropriate to cure the particular disease. In addition, the herbs must be transformable into different forms and doses, and must be prepared through a method which ensures that it retains all of its desired therapeutic characteristics.