Ayurveda is the science of life which deals with advantages and disadvantages as well as the
happy and unhappy status of life along with what is good & bad for life, its measurement &
the life itself. Ayurveda believes that positive health is the basis for attaining four cherished
good of life viz. Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha. All these four goals cannot be achieved
without sound positive health. Positive health is defined as Dosha Dhatu Samya (wellbalanced metabolism), Prasanna Atma Indriya Manah (happy state of the soul, senses & the
mind).
According to Ayurveda, everything in Universe is made of the Panchamahabhutas (five basic
elements of life) – Akasha (Space), Vayu (Air), Teja (Fire), Jala (Water) and Prithvi (Earth).
They are combined in an infinite variety of relative proportions such that each form of matter
is distinctly unique. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are called Tridosas, which are three bodily
humors. These Doshas are responsible for the physiological and psychological functions
within the body and mind as dynamic forces that determine growth and decay. In Ayurveda,
the structural and supporting units of the body are called Dhatu; these are seven in numbers
(Saptadhatu). They are the basic tissues that play an important role in development,
nourishment, sustaining the body, and they support the formation of the basic body structure.
Ojas is an essence present in every Dhatu (tissue) and considered as Sara of all the seven
Dhatus, starting from Rasa to Shukra. Ojas is responsible for consciousness, purity in
thoughts, health, positivity in feelings in every situation, better immunity, longevity,
intelligence, and memory. The three primary Malas (waste products) are Purisha (faeces),
Mutra (urine), and Sveda (sweat). These are the waste products of food and the Dhatus
(tissues) produced during the normal digestive and metabolic process. The biological fire that
governs metabolism is called Agni, which is responsible for all the transformations in the
body and mind. The digestion, absorption of food, cellular transformations all depend on
Agni. So, Agni is responsible for whole sequences of chemical interactions and changes in
the body and mind. Srotas are the inner transport system of the body that provides a platform
for activities of important bio-factors like three Dosha, seven Dhatu, Ojas, Agni, thoughts,
and emotions. Proper functioning of Srotas is necessary for transporting different materials to
the site of their requirement. The blockage of Srotas causes many diseases
BRANCHES OF AYURVEDA:
Ayurveda is divided into eight components; these components are:
- Kaya Chikitsa (Internal Medicine)
- Bala Chikitsa (Treatment of Children / Pediatrics)
- Graha Chikitsa (Demonology / Psychology)
- Urdhvaanga Chikitsa (Treatment of disease above the clavicle)
- Shalya Chikitsa (Surgery)
- Agada Tantra / Visha Chikitsa: Toxicology
- Jara / Rasayana Tantra: Geriatrics
- Vajikarana: Reproductive sciences
TREATMENT MODALITIES:
Nidan Parivarjan(Avoidance of the disease-causing and aggravating factors)
Nidan Parivarjan is to avoid the disease-causing factors in the diet and lifestyle of the
patients. It encompasses the idea of refraining from the precipitating or aggravating factors of
the disease.
Shamana Therapy (Palliative Treatment)
Shamana therapy suppresses vitiated humour (Doshas). The process by which vitiated
humour subsides or returns to normal without creating an imbalance of other humours is
known as Shamana. This treatment is achieved by using appetizers, digestives drugs,
exercise, exposure to sun and fresh air, etc. Palliatives and sedatives are used in this form of
treatment.
Shodhana therapy (Purification Treatment)
Shodhana therapy aims at the removal of the causative factors of somatic and psychosomatic
diseases. The process includes internal and external purification. The usual practices
involved are Panchkarma & Pre-panchakarma procedures.
Satvavajaya (Psychotherapy)
Satvavajaya treatment concerns with psychological disorders. This includes restraining the
mind from the desires for unwholesome objects and the cultivation of courage, memory, and
concentration. In Ayurveda, the studies of psychology and psychiatry have been developed
extensively and have a wide range of approaches in the treatment of psychic disorders.
Pathya Vyavastha (Prescription of diet and activity)
Pathya Vyavastha comprises indications and contraindications in respect of diet, activity,
habits, and emotional status.
SPECIALTIES OF AYURVEDA:
Panchakarma (Fivefold Therapy)
Panchakarma is the purification treatment used in Ayurvedic science. Panchakarma refers to
five types of procedures intended to cleanse and restore balance to the body, mind, and
emotions. Before panchakarma treatment, pre-panchakarma procedures like Snehana karma
(external & internal oleation therapy) and Swedana Karma (induced sweating) are applied to
liquefy vitiated Doshas. The fivefold procedures are: –
(a) Vamana (Emesis therapy)
(b) Virechana (Purgation therapy)
(c) Anuvasana Basti (Oily enema therapy)
(d) Asthapana Basti (Decoction enema therapy)
(e) Sirovirechana (Nasal insufflation therapy)
Indications of Panchakarma:
Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Gouty arthritis, cervical spondylitis, Lumbosacral
radiculopathy, Frozen shoulder, Hemiplegia, Bell’s palsy, Paraplegia, Bronchial asthma,
Irritable bowel syndrome, Hypothyroidism, Hyperthyroidism, Diabetes mellitus, Obesity,
Psoriasis, Leucoderma, Oligozoospermia, Dysmenorrhoea, Leucorrhoea, etc.
Rasayana Therapy (Rejuvenation Therapy):
Rasayana is defined as a therapeutic measure that promotes longevity, prevents aging,
provides positive health and mental faculties, increases memory, and imparts resistance and
immunity against diseases
Vajikaran Therapy (Aphrodisiac Treatment):
Vajikarana treatment improves the function of reproductive systems and vitalizes
reproductive tissues increasing sperm count, strengthen sperm motility in men, and making
the eggs more viable for conception in women. This process improves not only the quality
and longevity of individual life but also the health and vitality of his or her offspring.