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Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine and healthcare system, is said to be over 5000 years old. That makes it the oldest system of medicine known to mankind. And, like all things that are as old, the origins of ayurveda are deeply rooted in mythology. Coming to the etymology, the words themselves - ayur and veda - translate to life and knowledge or science. That means the word ayurveda translates literally to the science of life or the knowledge of life.
This ancient system of holistic health care was based on a combination of mystic and empiric practices. However, in its modern form, ayurvedic health care is a totally regulated alternative form of medicine that is controlled by the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India. Today, many educational institutions offer courses in this booming field to supply trained medical professionals in this huge global phenomenon.
This blog attempts to trace the history of ayurveda while discussing the principles on which this ancient practice is based.
Also Read: A Brief History Of AyurvedaThe concepts of interconnection between the universe and living beings, the body’s constitution (Prakriti), and the life forces (doshas) form the primary basis of ayurvedic medicine. Treatment in Ayurveda usually consists of eliminating impurities, reducing symptoms, boosting immunity, reducing stress, and improving harmony in life.
Ayurvedic philosophy maintains that the whole universe is an interaction of the five great elements - Space, Air, Water, Fire, and Earth. The three doshas are conceptualized as the main principles that are present in every element on the Earth, both living and nonliving. These three primary doshas are known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Vata is the subtle energy of movement in the physical body, Pitta is the energy of digestion and metabolism, and Kapha is the energy that forms the body’s structure. These doshas express themselves through a blend of distinct mental, physical, and emotional characteristics which ayurvedic doctors take into consideration before diagnosis and treatment
Vata is the subtle energy of movement in the physical body, Pitta is the energy of digestion and metabolism, and Kapha is the energy that forms the body’s structure. These doshas express themselves through a blend of distinct mental, physical, and emotional characteristics which ayurvedic doctors take into consideration before diagnosis and treatment.
The word rasa can be translated to water, pleasure, emotions, mercury, taste, or even poison. The word rasa shastra means the “Science of Mercury.” Rasashastra is the branch of pharmacy that deals with the study of chemical substances used as medicine.
Vata is the subtle energy of movement in the physical body, Pitta is the energy of digestion and metabolism, and Kapha is the energy that forms the body’s structure. These doshas express themselves through a blend of distinct mental, physical, and emotional characteristics which ayurvedic doctors take into consideration before diagnosis and treatment
Drugs in ayurveda are made of materials known as ‘Rasa dravyas’. The drug formulations can be poly-herbal, poly-mineral, or herbs-mineral. It also deals with the various purification processes for metals and plant extracts that are toxic in nature. Some of these techniques include the processing of metallic elements into a fine powder or ‘bashma’, mixing that powder with honey or other edible liquids, and their administration through various routes like oral, nasal, ointments, or through the eyes.
Bhaisajya Kalpana is the study of the preparation of ayurvedic medicines, their formulation, and dosages. The word Bhaisajya means drug and the word Kalpana means processing. The formulation of these drugs is based on the “Panchavidha Kasaaya” concept. According to this concept, there are five basic forms of formulating drugs - ‘swarasa’ or the expressed juice, ‘kalka’ or the fine paste obtained by grinding the fresh or wet plant material, ‘kwaatha’ or the decoction, ‘sheet’ or the cold water infusion, and ‘faanta’ or the hot water infusion.
Treatment in ayurveda hospitals is generally on the lines of panchakarma, which means “five actions.” This technique is based on five activities that aim to control the elements in the body. Panchkarma is highly customized on the basis of constitutional type, age, digestive strength, immune status, doshic imbalances, etc. All five types of treatment may be administered to a patient or even one or two depending on the patient’s need.
The five main actions under Pradhankarma that form the basis of panchakarma are:
The earliest use of a system similar to ayurveda has been attributed to the people of the Harappan civilization, who lived in the Indian subcontinent even before the Aryans invaded. However, as their script hasn’t been deciphered yet, we cannot be sure of what they knew.
In the coming years after the 5th century BC, 16 major supplements to these major works were written. The development of Ayurveda saw a lot of things - the inclusion of new herbs, processes, treatments, identification of new diseases, etc.
The constantly evolving nature of ayurveda made it a force to be reckoned with, as most early medicine systems of the world evolved from it. Over centuries of evolution created eight branches of ayurveda that we can study today in a BAMS(Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) course:
Some of the best Ayurveda colleges in India, like Sri Sai Institute of Ayurvedic Research and Medicine, offer BAMS courses that teach you in more detail about the history and actual teachings of the old sages like Charaka and Sushruta. These days, there are a lot of scopes for BAMS graduates to practice ayurvedic medicine in the country as the government not only regulates it but also actively encourages it.
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