Ayurview

2009-03-21T01:33:00.001-07:00

There are twelve departments of teaching dealing with different aspects and specialties of Ayurveda.

1. Kaya Chikitsa (General Medicine), 2. Shalya Tantra (Surgery), 3. Shalakya Tantra (ENT, Ophthalmology, Dentistry), 4. Prasuti Tantra, Stri Roga and Kaumarabhritya (Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Paediatrics), 5. Dravya Guna (Ayurvedic Pharmacology), 6. Svastha Vritta (Social and Preventive Medicine), 7. Maulika Siddhanta (Basic Principles), 8. Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana (Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacy), 9. Rachana Shareeram (Anatomy), 10. Kriya Shareeram (Physiology), 11. Roga Vijnana (Pathology), 12. Agada Tantra and Vyavaharayurveda (Toxicology, Jurisprudence and Forensic Medicine).

1. Department of Kayachikitsa (General Medicine)

Imparts training in the division of General Medicine in Ayurveda. In ancient times, the practice of Ayurveda comprised of the two schools of medicine and surgery. Kayachikitsa, representing the school of medicine forms the basis for all other branches of Ayurvedic treatment and hence this department lays the foundation for shaping a skilled Ayurvedic physician. Panchakarma (fivefold technique to detoxify the system) as well as Rasayana (Rejuvenative medicine) and Vajikarana (Reproductive Health) come within the purview of this department. Training in this branch of Ayurvedic medicine equips the student to design a treatment protocol comprising of a range of internal and external medications as well as specialised therapies according to the nature of the disease and the patient. Ayurveda offers effective treatment for the management and control of chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, eczema, bronchial asthma, paralysis, early stages of diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, urinary tract infections and certain chronic infections.

2. Department of Shalya Tantra (Surgery)

Deals with the branch of Ayurvedic surgery and provides a basic understanding of the principles of modern surgery. Bone setting, application of medicated thread (ksharasutra) for management of haemorrhoids and fistula in ano, application of leech as well as management of cuts and wounds are the areas of strength in Ayurvedic surgery. Though modern surgery has advanced in leaps and bounds, the Ayurvedic principles of pre and post operative care still has relevance today. Judicious application of Ayurvedic principles of surgical care can prevent complications and facilitate speedy recovery from surgical interventions. Ayurveda has historically made foundational contributions to the development of the branch of surgery. The practice of dissecting dead bodies to study anatomy, learning surgical procedures by practicing on dummies, development of sophisticated surgical instruments and the art of plastic surgery constitute the hallmark of classical Ayurvedic surgery. Sushruta, the Ayurvedic surgeon of yore is revered today as the father of surgery.

3. Department of Shalakya Tantra (ENT, Dentistry and Ophthalmology)

Imparts training in areas of specialization like ENT, Ophthalmology, Dentistry and diseases of the head. Special training is given on management of certain eye diseases, conditions like sinusitis, migraine and such other conditions for which Ayurvedic treatment is effective. It was in the field of Ayurveda that the specialisations of ENT, Ophthalmology and Dentistry first developed. Traditions of Ayurvedic ophthalmology still survive in Kerala. Traditional experts in this field successfully manage many diseases that affect the eye like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration and the like. Classical texts of Ayurveda describe a surgical procedure for the management of cataract.

4. Department of Stri Roga, Prasuti Tantra and (Gynaecology, Obstetrics )

Imparts training in Ayurvedic Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Paediatrics. Gynaecology deals with menstrual disorders, diseases of the female genital tract and veneral diseases. Ayurveda advises a special regimen for care of the pregnant woman. It also lays down certain guidelines to ensure the birth of a healthy child. Obstetrics deals with conditions related to maternity as well as normal and abnormal delivery.

5 Kaumarabhritya (Paediatrics)

Ayurveda offers special treatment modalities for post natal care of the mother. Paediatrics deals with care of the new born as well as diseases affecting children. Traditions of Ayurvedic paediatrics are still alive in India. In ancient times, Ayurvedic paediatrics was a separate school of medicine, although it was not as prominent as the schools of medicine and surgery. The Kashyapa Samhita is a classical text on Paediatrics which has been preserved in a mutilated form and is more than 2000 years old.

6. Department of Dravyaguna (Ayurvedic Pharamacology)

Deals with principles of Ayurvedic pharmacognosy and pharmacology with a special focus on identification of controversial drugs, adulterants and substitutes used in Ayurvedic practice. Ayurveda has developed a unique approach to understanding pharmacology of natural substances through meticulous analysis of taste, physico-chemical properties, potency and bio-transformation of the drug. Ayurveda traces the pathway of drug action right from the point of its ingestion through various stages of its digestion and metabolism to the point of its excretion from the body. Ayurveda understands drug action as the net result what happens when the drug acts on the body and the body acts on the drug. Dravyaguna deals knowledge of nomenclature (namajnana), pharmacognosy (rupajnana), pharmacology (gunajnana) and pharmacotherapeutics (yuktijnana). The hallmark of Ayurvedic pharmacology is its theoretical framework that attempts to understand complex interactions between various ingredients in a formulation that work in synergestic manner to produce a pharmacotherapeutic action that initiates the process of healing.

7. Department of Svastha Vrittam (Social and Preventive Medicine)

Imparts training on the principles and practice of Social and Preventive Medicine at both the personal and communal levels. Promotion of positive health is dealt with from the Ayurvedic viewpoint. Naturopathy and Yoga also come under the purview of this department. Social and Preventive Medicine in Ayurveda deals with elaborate guidelines and regimens for maintaining and promoting health of the individual and the community as a whole. Regulation of life style, diet and behaviour on the basis of diurnal, seasonal and geographical variations as well as the constitution of the individual is an important component of preventive medicine in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic dietetics is a discipline in itself. Measures for periodical purification and rejuvenation of the body aims to promote vitality and positive health of the person. Ayurveda also deals with the principles of epidemiology and the prevention and management of communicable diseases. This department gives comprehensive training on preventive aspects of health care integrating modern concepts with principles of Ayurveda as well as yoga and naturopathy.

8. Department of Maulika Siddhanta (Basic Principles of Ayurveda)

This department deals with the teaching of subjects that are foundational for the study of Ayurveda like Sanskrit, basic principles, classical Ayurvedic texts, history of Ayurveda and epistemology. Proficiency in Sanskrit is indispensible to properly understand the import of classical Ayurvedic writings. This has to be further substantiated by a thorough grounding in the classical knowledge systems of India including both the theistic and atheistic schools. The evolutionary history of Ayurveda spans a few thousands of years and provides interesting insights into the devlopment of the world of medicine itself. It is also essential for the aspirant of Ayurveda to become well versed with the approach of knowledge building delineated in the classical texts of Ayurveda, which accomodates but transcends the methods of science. The department of basic principles prepares the students with the basic intellectual tools necessary to engage in a serious study of Ayurveda.

9. Department of Rasashastra and Bhaishajya Kalpana (Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacy)

With the help of well equipped labs, this department imparts training in medicinal chemistry and preparation of highly potent medicines from minerals and metals. It also deals with the principles and practice of Ayurvedic Pharmacy with its varied pharamaceutical methods and dosage forms. Knowledge of Ayurvedic Pharmacy encompasses field identification of medicinal plants and other natural substances, collection and storage procedures of raw materials, preliminary processing of raw drugs, elaborate and sophisticated methods of pharmaceutical processing and preservation of prepared medicines. Pharmacy in Ayurveda essentially involves extraction of essential principles from the natural world in aqueous, fatty or alcoholic medium through a systematic process of cooking and their conversion into suitable dosage forms. In keeping with tradition, this department gives shape to the Ayurvedic physician who does not merely prescribe finished medicines, but is also capable of formulating and preparing medicines according to the specific needs of a patient.

10. Department of Rachana Shareeram (Anatomy)

The department of anatomy provides rigorous training in dissecting cadavers and critically examines both ancient and modern views on anatomy. The surgical school of Ayurveda pioneered the technique of treating dead bodies in flowing water and exposing the underlying structures by scraping the skin using soft instruments to gain accurate knowledge of minute structures that make up the human body. This practice declined over the ages due to various factors and today Ayurvedic Anatomy needs to be supplemented with modern knowledge. A unique aspect of Rachana Shareeram in Ayurveda is the knowledge of the vital points or marmas, which have to be protected when performing surgical procedures and injury to which can lead to disastrous consequences including death. Knowledge of these vital points and techniques to manipulate them is essential to become proficient in therapeutic massage that stimulates prana and revitalises the body.

11. Department of Kriya Shareeram (Physiology)

Deals with the study of normal physiology in human beings from both ancient and modern viewpoints with sufficient practical training. The corner stone of Ayurvedic physiology is the dosha-dhatu-mala siddhanta. This theory provides a holistic framework to understand how the body digests and metabolises food into subtle forms of matter and energy to create and maintain a delicately balanced internal environment that is conducive to the preservation of the life process. The doshas represent the dynamic balance of opposing factors that govern the physiological processes in the body while the dhatus represent the structural components of the body and the malas the wastes that are thrown out of the body or recycled to support the structure or functions of the body. This department trains the student in basic concepts of Ayurvedic physiology as well as the essential aspects of modern physiology comparing and contrasting the convergence and divergence of ancient and modern viewpoints.

12. Department of Roga Vijnana (Pathology)

This department deals with nosology (classification of diseases) and techniques of diagnosis. Training is given in both ancient methods of diagnosis and relevant modern investigations. Ayurveda lays great stress on detecting diseases in the very early stages of development and has developed an elaborate system of subtle diagnostic techniques to identify imbalances in the body before they transform into complicated disease processes. Ayurveda gives equal emphasis on understanding origins of disease, the disease process and the external manifestations. It understands disease as a paradoxical combination of failure of physiological mechanisms and attempts by the body to restore normalcy. Diagnosis involves a clear understanding of the therapeutic response that has been initiated by the body based on which an appropriate treatment strategy is visualised. An inherent strength of Ayurveda is its emphasis on strengthening the body from within to reverse the disease process. Roga vijnana involves developing subtle skills of pulse diagnosis and other subjective methods to feel and understand the subtle interactions between the body and mind in health and disease.

13. Department of Agada Tantra and Vyavaharayurveda (Toxicology, Jurisprudence and Forensic Medicine)

Imparts training in toxicology, jurisprudence and forensic medicine, which explores the causes of unnatural behaviour and death. Ayurveda has nurtured and sustained a sophisticated system of toxicology that combats the effects of natural poisons posing long term or immediate threat to the continuity of the life process. This branch was so well developed in ancient India that the physicians of those days won the admiration of Alexander the Great, whose soldiers were miraculously cured of snake bites by native poison healers. Experts in Ayurvedic toxicology and snake poison healing have survived into modern times. Systematic clinical research in this branch can help in understanding the scope and potential of the Ayurvedic approach of healing in management of emergency conditions. Another important aspect of Ayurvedic toxicology is the treatment of chronic poisoning. Legal aspects of medicine, which are discussed in works like Arthashastra of Kautilya need to be intergrated with modern concepts and techniques of Forensic medicine. This department equips the student to become well versed in understanding natural and unnatural modes of death as well as medico-legal aspects of medical practice.

Ayurveda literally means “The Science of Life” for the promotion of positive health and prevention and cure of diseases. It is in practice in India and its neighboring countries since time immemorial.

“Health”, according to Ayurveda, is not merely the freedom from diseases. A person is to be treated as healthy only when his mind, sense, organs and the soul are in the state of perfect of equilibrium to endow happiness. In addition, the body should be free from diseases.

Ayurveda lays a lot of emphasis on the prevention and cure of diseases. Therefore several therapeutic measures both for patients and healthy persons are prescribed in this system of medicine.

What Ayurveda Does
1. Preservation and promotion of positive health
2. Prevents diseases
3. Cures diseases.

"Ayurveda" is not just a form of medication that locals swear by, it is a total way of life known to generations of Sri Lankans for over 3000 years. It is a gentle method of treating the root cause of illness of both mind and body.

Ayurveda comes from two conjoined Sanskrit words "Ayuh" (life) and "Veda" (science or knowledge). It is a science of healthy living, and has two aims, to preserve health and to cure a body afflicted by disease.

This holistic form of therapy utilizes the diet, herbs, oils, animal products, yoga and meditation to heal and rejuvenate both the body and mind. Ayurveda believes the life forces, or doshas, of an individual must be balanced for good health.

What can Ayurveda do?
Ayurvedic practitioners study the patient with the object of restoring balance, getting to the root of the problem and treating that. Local folk have been known to say that while western medicine classifies germs and attempts to destroy them, Ayurveda classifies human beings and attempts to save them.

Although Ayurveda can be enjoyed casually for its toning massages and herbal baths, it has a series of intense treatments that take over a period of weeks or even months and produce remarkable results. Ayurveda makes use of the island's natural resources like herbs, leaves, flowers, barks, roots and berries and uses them to cleanse the blood and the body of impurities.

It is claimed that many conditions can be alleviated or cured by Ayurveda, including arthritis, migraine, exhaustion, high blood pressure, depression, cystitis, asthma, nicotine and heroin addiction.

Treatments
There are several methods of treatment used. Head to toe massages are said to remove impurities, relax the nerves and invigorate the lymphatic and immune systems. Dripping warm oil on the forehead is said to reduce tension and cure insomnia, while various herbal steam baths open the pores to dispose of toxins for inner harmony. This all-natural experience is truly serene and rejuvenating for both the mind and the body.

Top

MEDITATION

Meditation is the attainment of a deeply relaxed state of mind and body. One's rate of metabolism is said to slow down causing the release of anxiety, stress and even pain control. Breathing exercises, repeating mantras, and sitting in silence helps relax the mind and reduce focus on the stressful situations that surround us. Meditation is a component of serious Ayurvedic treatment that helps bring harmony to the mind and body.

Top

YOGA

The term yoga comes from a Sanskrit word that means yoke or union. Traditionally, yoga is a method that joins the individual self with the Divine, Universal Spirit, or Cosmic Consciousness. Physical and mental exercises are designed to help achieve this goal, also called self-transcendence or enlightenment.

On the physical level, yoga postures, called asanas, are designed to tone, strengthen, and align the body. These postures are performed to make the spine supple and healthy and to promote blood flow to all the organs, glands, and tissues, keeping all the body systems healthy. On a mental level, yoga uses breathing techniques and meditation to quiet, clarify, and discipline the mind.

Yoga is a vital part of long-term Ayurvedic treatments.

Agada Tantra in Ashtang Ayurveda

Ayurveda is oldest science known to mankind and mainly aims at maintenance of health. According to Ayurvedic science from the time of birth to death, doshas influence the health status and physical constitution of a person, either positively or negatively. Ayurvedic science is so elaborate and vast that it is divided into eight branches of Ayurveda known as Ashtang Ayurveda and each branches is specialized in a particular treatment. Agada tantra or toxicology is a branch of Ashtang Ayurveda, which includes the science of poisons. Damstra chikitsa branch of ayurveda deals with various methods of cleaning the poisons out of the body as well as recommends antidotes for particular poisons. It deals with a wide range of natural toxins originating from wild lives like animals, birds, insects etc., plants including herbs (belladonna, aconite etc.), vegetables, minerals (leads, mercury, arsenal etc.) and artificial poisons prepared from poisonous drugs. This branch also deals with air and water pollution, which are basically the causes of various dangerous epidemics.

The three samhitas described about this branch of toxicology, which also include description, and disadvantages of food of opposite qualities, drugs and food causing chronic poisoning symptoms. In ayurveda certain poisons are used as medicines after proper processing and quantification. Precious stones like diamond, ruby and poisonous minerals like lead and mercury were in use for this purpose. This branch also has information regarding fatal doses of various poisons, which are resorted to in a view to administer those into an enemy's body system.

Damshtra Chikitsa (toxicology)? is one among the eight branches (ashtanga) of Ayurveda. It comes in the section called Agata Tantra. The statement ?damshtra? memorizes the teeth of a venomous snake.

Visha is any substance that can source illness or even downfall to man or any living thing.

Visha is the opposite of Amrit, which gives immortality to man. no matter which can turn into toxic at what time full in an surplus amount. An accurate definition of venom is in truth not possible. There are a number of plants with the intention of have well lethal fruits or flowers. The similar fruits or plant life or extra parts can be worn as a element for very well in effect medicine to treat many serious diseases and conditions.

The substances to facilitate cause illness can by and large be called toxins. The central divisions now are toxins as of bites of snake, insects, etc and intake of contaminant by eating, drinking or inhaling. Toxic plants and deposit products absorb the crucial priority here. contrary cooking too can act as toxin.

The a large amount discussed topic, free radicals in medical circuits is an example of endo-toxin.

Venom
Though viewed as well as terror, no more than a few species of snake actually has venom strong enough to kill a human being. Snake venom can produce critical destruction to blood structure ? this later causes surroundings akin to anemia, asthma, etc. Proper drug can put off such situations on or after occurring.

Insect bites
Insect bites can begin pain, itching, boils, etc. Ayurveda suggests distinctive medicines for precise species to use underneath given conditions. The medicines can break results only when administered in the desired manner.

Artificial Toxins
Insecticides, chemicals, food additives, vegetables and fruits mature through the facilitate of fertilizers, pesticides etc are all artificial toxins. Autoimmune diseases flesh out due to the intake of artificial toxins for a lengthy period. Medicines that depend solely on substance combinations can advocate the person to an extreme rotation of killing a toxin through another one, and soon after declining quarry to a pollutant that is formidable in his body.

“Ayurveda” is not only a form of medication – it is a total way of life know to generations of Sri Lankan for over 3000 years. It is a gentle method of treating the root causes of illness in both mind and body.
The health conscious today are searching for effective alternatives to the spiraling costs and side effects that at times result from the use of modern medicine.

In Sri Lanka, we have had for the last couple of millennia a “user-friendly “ traditional medicine – Ayurveda” which over 75% of the island’s population depend on because of its reliance on natural plants, herbs and oils. Nature’s way to good health, the efficacy of “Ayurveda” has been proved by 3,000 years of successful caring and curing…

What is Ayurveda? It is an ancient system of medicine developed in our part of the world, long before the “father of medicine”, Hippocrates, was even born. The name comes from two conjoined Sanskrit words “Ayuh” (life) and “Veda” (science or knowledge). Basically a science of healthy living, Ayurveda has two aims – to preserve health and to cure a body afflicted by disease.

One of the fundamentals beliefs of Ayurveda is the doctrine of “Tri Dosha” or the Three Vital Forces – Vayu, Pita and Kapha. Generally translated into Wind, Bile and Phlegm, a more accurate interpretation of Vayu is the transmission of energy within the body; in modern medical terms, nerve impulses, muscle contraction and hormonal activity. Pita may not be confined to bile but signifies the whole scope of metabolism and internal heat production while Kapha means mucus, often described as “The Protective Fluid”. The modern concept of mucus as an antibody containing liquid which coats and protects internal linings of the body, seems to fit in with Ayurvedic thinking.

When the three, “Doshas” are balanced, the body is in good health. When this equilibrium is disturbed and the balance of these complementary forces become unbalanced and upset, then illness results.

Ayurvedic practitioners study the patient as a whole with the object of restoring balance, getting to the root of the problem and treating it. Local folk have been known to say that while western medicine classifieds germs and attempts to destroy them, Ayurveda classifies human beings and attempts to save them.

The dive-pronged evacuative therapy – “Pancha Karma” is designed to rid the body of toxins and is achieved by special diets and herbal decoctions. The five elements of medical herbs: leaves, flowers, barks, roots and berries are used to cleanse the blood and the body of impurities.

The preparation of Ayurvedic medications is usually a long process with ingredients being ground in a pestle for a prescribed period of time. Juices and extracts of plants are simmered until they are reduced to a fraction of their original volume. Besides decoctions, wines, pills and powders for internal use, Ayurveda also uses poultices, pastes, ointments and oils for external application.

Massage with herbal oils, steam baths and bathing in herbal waters are said to be particularly beneficial to patients with migraine, insomnia and arthritis.

Methods of treatment vary – while one might have herbal oil dripping from a suspended clay pot onto a patient’s head, another would place the patient in a steam bath like an ancient wooden chest with perforations, in which he or she lies relaxed, benefiting from the vapours of various steamed herbs wafting up from underneath.

Herbal teas are now available and gaining in popularity worldwide. Their ingredients vary. While some might invigorate and energize, others would relax and calm both mind and body.

The preventative aspects of Ayurveda recommend codes for healthy living which include dietary and social-cultural norms. Certain foods are considered good while partaking of others such as red meat is discouraged. Vegetarianism and the consumption of dairy products such as milk and curd are smiled upon while drinking alcohol and smoking are frowned on.

“Ayurveda” is a cure for a lifetime and a way of life; after all, generations of Sri Lankan have been using these age-old remedies, and obtaining relief from their illness, living to a ripe old age in excellent physical condition.

It is a gentle and relaxed treatment for both mind and body, one that leaves you feeling light, tranquil, yet filled with the zest and energy that our ancestors experienced and benefited from.

“Ayurveda” is nature’s way of caring and curing for a lifetime…