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About
Ayurveda
Ayurveda:
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Ayurveda, a Holistic science,
is a stream of knowledge coming down from generation
to generation. It is said that its existence is
as old as we are. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word
made up of “Ayu: +Veda” where Ayu:
means “Life”, a conjunction of “body,
sense organs, mind and soul”, and “Veda”
means “Knowledge”. So, in short, Ayurveda
means “knowledge of life”. According
to its definition, in Ayurveda, the principal
focus is on maintaining good health and adopting
a healthy way of life. It not only deals with
disease and its cure but also with life in general.
As a result, people can have a better quality
of life as well as longevity. It does not consider
the living body as an independent entity. Biological,
mental, spiritual and cosmic activities are interdependent
and interrelated. Therefore, in Ayurveda, ailments
and malfunctions are treated in the context of
an individual’s social, cultural, and spiritual
environment and cosmic link.
The first historical documents concerning Ayurveda
are found in Rig Veda and Aatharva Veda. Aatharva
Veda is the first written documents on the concept
of Tridosha or humors, about health care along
with Anatomy, Physiology and use of medicinal
plants to get rid of the ailments. It is said
that Ayurveda is the part (upaveda) of Aatharva
Veda. So its origin is traced back to Vedic times
of about 5000-10000 B.C.
The primary human constitution depends upon the
relative proportion of the Tri-dosha or humors
which maintain the integrity of the body and are
responsible for all physical and mental functions.
These three doshas or humors are derived from
the five fundamental or material elements or Pancha-mahabhuta.
Astanga
Ayurveda (Eight Major Specialities of Ayurveda)
There are eight branches of Ayurveda collectively
termed as Astanga-Ayurveda.
1. Kayachikitsa (internal medicine)
2. Salya Tantra (Surgery)
3. Shalakya Tantra (pertaining to diseases of
supra-clavicular region)
4. Kumarbhritya (Pediatrics including obstetrics
and Gynecology)
5. Agada Tantra (Toxicology,Medical Jurisprudence/Forensic Medicine)
6. Bhuta-Vidhya (psychology, Demology and pertaining
to Micro-organism)
7. Rasayan Tantra (Rejuvination therapy,Promotive therapy)
8. Vrisha Vigyan or Bajikaran Tantra (Aphrodisiac).
Charak Samhita (200 BC, by Charak who edited “Agnibesha
Tantra” of 1000 BC), Sushruta Samhita (2nd
Century by Sushruta who edited “Sushruta
Tantra” of 1200 BC), Astanga Sangraha (around
4th -7th Century, by Bagbhata) and Astanga Hridaya
are the main text of Ayurveda.
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| Panchamahabhuta
or five basic elements: |
| The
basic material constituents which exist in the universe
and in man are called the Pancha-mahabhuta or five
basic elements of Prithivi (Earth), Jala (Water),
Teja (Fire), Vayu (Air), and, Akash (Ether). |
| Dhatus: |
The human body consists of seven basic and vital
tissues called Dhatus. Dhatu means “constructing
elements”. These seven are responsible for
the entire structure of the body. They maintain
the functions of the different organs, system and
vital parts of the body. They play an important
role in the development, nourishment and even protection
of the body. Dhatus are actually the resultant materials
of the functions of the three Humors. They are:
1. Rasa dhatu: predominates the “Jala (water)
“Mahabhuta. Function: Prinana(Nurishment)
2. Rakta dhatu: predominates the “Tej (Fire)”
Mahabhuta. Function: Jevana(Invigoration)
3. Mamsa dhuta: predominates the “Prithivi
(Ether)” mahabhuta. Function: Lepana(holds
skeleton)
4. Meda dhatu: predominates the “Jala (water)
“Mahabhuta. Function: Snehan(Lubrication)
5.Asthi dhatu: predominates the Vayu and Prithivi.
Function:Dharan(support)
6.Majjja dhatu: predominates the Akash Mahabhuta.
Function: Purana(to fill the bones)
7.Shukra dhatu: predominates the Jala and Tej Mahabhutas. Function:Garva utpadan(reproduction)
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| Ojas:
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Oja is the essence of all Dhatus as bees collect
honey as an essence of flowers or as collection of
butter from milk. It seems from Charaka’s
description that Oja is the living thrusts of a
person. Life without it can not be considered. It
is of two types, one that stays at heart and the
other that lies all over the body. Oja prevents
decay and degeneration of the body and protests
it from diseases. The causes of diminution of Oja
are excessive exercise, fasting, anxiety, rough
& little diet,excessive exposure to wind and sun, fear, grief, ununctuous
drinks, vigil, excessive discharge of semen and
old age (Ch. Su 17/76, Su. Su 15/24, A.H. Su11/39). |
| Upadhatus: |
Upadhatus
are also seven in numbers. These are produced
by the stable dhatus and responseible for the
various structures and organs of the body.
Stanya
Artaba
These two are the products of Rasa Dhatu.
Kandara
Sira
These two are the products of Rakta Dhatu.
Wasa (vasa)
Twacha (skin)
These are derived from Mamsa
Dhatuatu.
Snayu : its origin is Meda
Dhatu |
| Tridosha
or Three Humors: |
According
to Ayurveda, the basic constituents of human body
are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These are called Tridosha
or three Humors. Our body is controlled and regulated
by the coordinated and balanced functions of Tridosha.
It helps the body to be alive. All the physical
and mental functions of the body are governed
by these three humors.
According to Ayurveda, various health problems
are caused by an imbalance in at least one of
the three humors. So the Ayurvedic therapy is
based on the Tridosha or Humors. The treatment
of any diseases is first started to balance the
Humors. The imbalance is probably due to the increment
or decrement on one Humor (Dosha) or two or all
three humors. This may be caused by the increment
on one humor and decrement one the others.
Vata:
The physical characteristics of Vata are different
from others. According to Acharya Bagbhata it
is light, dry, mobile, cold, abundant, rough,
swift etc. Its fundamental Elements are Ether
(Akash) and Air (Vayu).
The physical functions are: it is responsible
for body movement, speech, Blood circulation,
breathing, Excretion, Brain functions, formation
of fetus, sexual act, anxiety, grief. etc.
There are five types of Vata according
to their characters and locations.
1.Prana Vayu
2.Udana Vayu
3. Vyana Vayu.
4.Saman Vayu.
5.Apan Vayu.
Pitta:
Pitta is hot like the basic element which is derived
from Agni or fire. It is also characterized as
being sharp, sour, pungent, fluid, soothing and
mobile (Astanga Sangraha). It is responsible for
vision, hunger, thirst, and digestion, the regulation
of heat in the body, softness and luster in the
complexion, cheerfulness, intellect, and sexual
vigor (Ch.Su 18/52).
There are five types of Pitta which were first
indicated by Acharya Susruta.
1.Pachaka Pitta
2.Ranjaka Pitta
3.Sadhaka Pitta
4.Alochaka Pitta
5.Bhrajaka Pitta.
Kapha:
Kapha is also called Slesma, and is derived from
the fundamental elements earth (Prithivi) and
Water (Jala). It is smooth, cold, heavy, dull,
and viscid (A.Sa.Su1/29).
Kapha constitutes the entire solid structure of
the body. The functions of Kapha are unctuousness,
binding, firmness, heaviness, sexual potency,
strength, forbearance, restraint and the absence
of grief (Ch. Su 18/53).
Kapha was also categorized into five divisions
by ancient Acharya Bagbhata according to their
variable characteristics.
1.Avalambaka Kapha
2.Kledaka Kapha
3.Bodaka Kapha
4.Tarpaka Kapha
5.Shleshaka Kapha.
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| Agni: |
According to Aacharya Charak Agni is
included Pitta in the body and is responsible
for producing wholesome or unwholesome effects
respectively in balanced or vitiated states such
as digestion or indigestion, vision or no vision,
low or high temperature, normal or abnormal complexion,
power or fear, anger or happiness, confusion or
clarity. Similarly it is also responsible for
pleasure, sorrow, desire, aversion and efforts.
Jathragni or Pachkagni.or Fire:
It is located between stomach and duodenum
(at Grahani ), it is responsible for digestion
and assimilation. It separates the part of the
food to be utilized by the body to waste product
(Mala). This is the principle Agni.
According to Aacharya Bagbhata there are four
types of Jathragni or Pachkagni depending to their
intensities.
| Intense or Tiksna |
Mild or Manda |
Regular or Sama |
Irregular or Wisam
(Bisam) |
| People with Intense
or Tiksna Agni can tolerate all sorts of improper
regimens. These people are Pitta-dominating |
People have low digestive
power and are Kapha-dominating. Subdued by
Kapha, the Agni becomes mild |
It is affected by
improper regimen but remains normal.These
people have balanced humors or Doshas. |
People with irregular
Agni or Fire have a variable and sensitive
digestive power. They are Vata-dominating.Vata
dries the Agni. |
Dhatuagni.
There are seven types of Dhatuagni which separate
the essence of absorbed food for different Dhatus.
Bhutagni.
As it is related to five basic elements or Pancha-mahabhut,
it is categorized into five. All material substances
are composed of the five basic elements or Pancha-mahabhut
that means the food we eat, the medicine we use
and our body components and Dhatus, all are Panchabhautic
or all contain five basic elements. The Bhutagni
actually assimilate five different elements in
food, medicine etc. in one way and convert them
to another form required by the Dhatus.
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