Ayurveda – the ancient Hindu science of health and medicine

Ayurveda – the ancient Hindu science of health and medicine

Ayurveda is the ancient Hindu science of health and medicine originated in India some thousands of years ago. Ayurveda is the combination of two Sanskrit words Ayu (life) and Veda (knowledge of). Ayurveda also had a tradition of surgery. Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita are the two early texts of Ayurveda. Both texts has detailed descriptions of the treatments and medicines used in Ayurveda.

According to the ancient Sankhya Veda (Sankhya theory of cosmology), Ayurveda is based on the five great elements (Panchabhootha) such as aether (space), air, fire, water, and earth.

Ayurveda medicine or Ayurvedic type of medicine is mainly divided into eight branches such as:

1) Kaya chikilsa (general medicine)
2) Shalya (surgery)
3) Shalakya (ENT and Ophthalmology)
4) Bala (Pediatrics and Gynecology)
5) Damshitra (toxicology)
6) Graha (Psychotherapy)
7) Jara (rejuvenation)
8) Vrishya (Aphrodisiacs)

Ayurveda is considered as the knowledge of the body and its needs. Ayurveda can provide one with the complete guidelines on daily routines, lifestyle, diet, and the types of activities one should undertake for a comfortable life.

Ayurveda is the knowledge of the body and its needs, and gives complete guidelines on diet, daily routines, lifestyle, and the kind of activities to be undertaken for a comfortable life. Ayurveda can help one to maintain a good physical well-being of his body. Besides this, Ayurveda also touches upon the spiritual and psychological dimensions of human existence. This is one of the main reasons why Ayurveda is becoming more and more popular in all parts of the world.

It is seen that nowadays Ayurveda has become much popular in the Western countries. The main Ayurvedic treatments in the Western countries include primarily massage, and dietary and herbal advice. Ayurvedic treatments are aimed at restoring the harmony and balance to the patient’s mind-body system.
Ayurveda