history of ayurveda

Ayurveda , the science of life, prevention and longevity is the oldest and most holistic medical system available on the planet today. It was placed in written form over 5,000 years ago in India, it was said to be a world medicine dealing with both body and the spirit. Before the advent of writing, the ancient wisdom of this healing system was a part of the spiritual tradition of the Sanatana Dharma (Universal Religion), or Vedic Religion. VedaVyasa, the famous sage, shaktavesha avatar of Vishnu, put into writing the complete knowledge of Ayurveda, along with the more directly spiritual insights of self realization into a body of scriptural literature called the Vedas and the Vedic literatures.
There were originally four main books of spirituality, which included among other topics, health, astrology, spiritual business, government, army, poetry and spiritual living and behavior. These books are known as the four Vedas; Rik, Sama, Yajur and Atharva. The Rik Veda, a compilation of verse on the nature of existence, is the oldest surviving book of any Indo-European language (3000 B.C.). The Rik Veda (also known as Rig Veda) refers to the cosmology known as Sankhya which lies at the base of both Ayurveda and Yoga, contains verses on the nature of health and disease, pathogenesis and principles of treatment. Among the Rik Veda are found discussions of the three dosas, Vayu. Pitta and Kapha, and the use of herbs to heal the diseases of the mind and body and to foster longevity. The Atharva Veda lists the eight divisions of Ayurveda: Internal Medicine, Surgery of Head and Neck, Opthamology and Otorinolaryngology, Surgery, Toxicology, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Gerontology or Science of Rejuvenation, and the Science of Fertility. The Vedic Sages took the passages from the Vedic Scriptures relating to Ayurveda and compiled separate books dealing only with Ayurveda. One of these books, called the Atreya Samhita is the oldest medical book in the world! The Vedic Brahmanas were not only priests performing religious rites and ceremonies, they also became Vaidyas (physicians of Ayurveda). The sage-physician-surgeons of the time were the same sages or seers, deeply devoted holy people, who saw health as an integral part of spiritual life. It is said that they received their training of Ayurveda through direct cognition during meditation. In other words, the knowledge of the use of various methods of healing, prevention, longevity and surgery came through Divine revelation; there was no guessing or testing and harming animals. These revelations were transcribed from the oral tradition into book form, interspersed with the other aspects of life and spirituality. What is fascinating is Ayurveda's use of herbs, foods, aromas, gems, colors, yoga, mantras, lifestyle and surgery. Consequently Ayurveda grew into a respected and widely used system of healing in India. Around 1500 B.C., Ayurveda was delineated into eight specific branches of medicine. There were two main schools of Ayurveda at that time. Atreya- the school of physicians, and Dhanvantari - the school of surgeons. These two schools made Ayurveda a more scientifically verifiable and classifiable medical system
People from numerous countries came to Indian Ayurvedic schools to learn about this world medicine and the religious scriptures it sprang from. Learned men from China, Tibet, the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Afghanistanis, Persians, and more traveled to learn the complete wisdom and bring it back to their own countries. Ayurvedic texts were translated in Arabic and under physicians such as Avicenna and Razi Sempion, both of whom quoted Indian Ayurvedic texts, established Islamic medicine. This style became popular in Europe, and helped to form the foundation of the European tradition in medicine.
In 16th Century Europe, Paracelsus, who is known as the father of modem Western medicine, practiced and propagated a system of medicine which borrowed heavily from Ayurveda.
There are two main re-organizers of Ayurveda whose works are still existing intact today - Charak and Sushrut. The third major treatise is called the Ashtanga Hridaya, which is a concise version of the works of Charak and Sushrut. Thus the three main Ayurvedic texts that are still used today are the Charak Samhita (compilation of the oldest book Atreya Samhita), Sushrut Samhita and the Ashtangha Hridaya Samhita. These books are believed to be over 1,200 years old. It is because these texts still contain the original and complete knowledge of this Ayurvedic world medicine, that Ayurveda is known today as the only complete medical system still in existence. Other forms of medicine from various cultures, although parallel are missing parts of the original information.

Campaign on anemia control

I got a chance to attend inogural function of campaign on anaemia control, geriatric health care and maternal and child health, at NIAPER patiala, Punjab. This is a project of Govt. of India, given to the Ayurveda department of 7 states. In Punjab this campaign is being started in 20 dispensaries of 5 districts. Under this campaign geriatric clinic has started at Govt. Ayurvedic Hospital, Patiala. Free consultation by experts and free medicine is being provided to the geriatric population. Two Ayurvedic drugs "Dhatri loha" and "punarnava mandoora" were launched by the honourable health minister, Punjab Mrs. Laxmikanta Chawla. These drugs will be provided free to the patients suffering from anemia, special stress will be given on undernourished schoolgoing children. We the faculty of Ayurveda are looking towards the success of this campaign.
Labels: anemia control

Health Care During Winter- An Ayurvedic approach

Ayurveda not only deals with the treatment of diseases but also provide invaluable and useful guidelines for better way of healthy living through its various scientific principles. One of such principle is adopting different measures like diet and regimen as per the need of different seasons. Winter season is considered as healthy season in a manner that during this season a person has good digestive system (tivra jathragni) and is full of strength, vigour and energy but on the contrary a person is much prone to suffer from the diseases like Common cold, Sinusitis, Bronchitis, Asthma, Paralysis especially facial paralysis and other neuronal disorders, High blood pressure, Ischaemic heart disease, Skin fissuring etc. The condition of the patient having one of such disease may also get aggravated due ti the innate nature of the Winter season. Therfore, it is essential to properly plan oneself according to the innate nature of the winter season according to the principles described in different ayurvedic classics.

As far as diet is concerned, it should have characteristics like sweet, hot, heavy and unctuous. For cooking of different food stuffs, use of cow's clarified butter (ghee) and refined sesame oil is recommended during winter months. Use of Milk, Wheat and Wheat products, Rice especially Shali variety, Vegetables like Pumpkin, Spinach, Fenugreek and Carrot, Pulses like black gram or Kidney bean, all varieties of meat, Sauce made up of Ginger and garlic, Dry fruits, Ladoo made up of Gum, and Fenugreek are beneficial whereas foods with light, cold, non unctuous and spicy in nature shold be discarded as they may prove detrimental for health. One should also evade from incompatible diets like eating curd and cucumber simultaneously or drinking water just after eating Groundnut or maize or eating Guava empty stomach.

As far as regimen is considered one should daily massage with Sesame oil, do only physical exercises by means of Aerobic or Yoga but in close room free from cold air, bath with lukewarm water, wear dark coloured heavy woolen clothes with hands and feet covered with woolen gloves and socks and ears covered by a woolen cap or turban, take sunbath with one's back facing the sun but one should avoid sleeping during the day time, direct exposure to cold wavws and journey during the thick fog.

All the measures described in different Ayurvedic classics as mentioned above are for the persons who are healthy and want to prevent themselves from diseases that are supposed to occur during winter season. The persons suffering from any ailment should follow the diet and regimen according to the innate nature of the disease under the supervision of a qualified Ayurvedic physician. Thus it is prudent to adopt ourselves according to the principles of mother nature fir living a healthy and longer life free from any ailment which was also the aim designed by our ancient saints and sages.

This is pleasing to inform the people of ayurveda that the Nagarjuna Academy of Ayurveda (N.A.A.) ,Chandigarh, has come up to promote higher education in ayurveda.

The northern Indian state, especially Haryana and Punjab are the ones with least success rate in post graduate examination whether for the higher education or job recruitments. The explanation is the lack of methodical training for such examination and alsothe lack of directions after graduation in ayurveda, as you are left in the mid of sea that too without any life saving support.

In a competitive world of today a plain B.A.M.S. degree may not suffice for most of the causes, may be the jobs or private practice.

The Nagarjuna Academy of Ayurveda has been founde by the most quqlified and experienced faculty of ayurveda,focusing on each and every aspect, may bethe development of course content, inputs by the experts of concerned subject and motivation of the candidates in the right perspective. The chargeable fee being most genuine and affordable, the concept is bound to attract the candidates in masses.

The facilities which make Nagarjuna Avademy of Ayurveda different fom others:-
(1) Interactive session before starting the course
(2) Quality distance education
(3) Course material will be provided to each student on monthly basis
(4) MCQs related to previous course material will be provided with the course material of next month.
(5) Test will be organized on quaterly basis along with interactive class on the same day at chandigarh
(6) Faculty will answer your queries through mail
(7) Proper carrier guidance
(8) Time to time acknowledgement of opportunities ahead of you

So, join our hand, as it can prove a milestone in your carrier graph. Right decision made at the right time determine your future.

Agni-Karma

Sushruta samhita is the most authentic text concerned to surgical and para-surgical procedures which were in practice thousands of years ago when techniques were not as much advanced as today and ayurveda was enjoying its golden period. Today technology is so advanced that if we have a glance at ayurvedic literature it seems to be an obsolete science. But if you study it thoroughly and also see what is going on in today’ medical world it is clearly evident that it is the technology which has made the difference, principles are similar, whether it is larva therapy for wound debridement or leech therapy being used in the reconstruction surgery. One of such important para-surgical procedure mentioned in the ayurvedic literature is Agni-karma indicated for the management of various painful disorders which is being explored and various treatment modalities which are in use like infra red heating are based on the same principle. But a lot more work is required.

Acharya Sushruta has written a complete chapter (AgniKarma Vidhimadhyaya-Sutrasthana chapter 12) about various aspects related to Agnikarma, which itself shows its importance in those days as a parasurgical procedure and no treatment modality can gain such an importance if it does not gives the results. The word Agni Karma comprises of two words-Agni and Karma, collectively gives the meaning-When samyaka dagdha vrana is produced by agni with the help of various dravyas.

In classics, different types of dahanopakarna have been described.Each of them is having its own pecularity.Acharya Sushruta have classified them according to the site of agni karmaviz.
(1) Twaka- Pippali, Ajasakrida, Godanta, Shara, Shalaka.
(2) Mamsa- Jambavostha shalaka and other lohas.
(3) Sira,Snayu,Sandhi, Asthi- Madhu, Gudda and Sneha.

Besides above description, different woods used for heating purpose has been described in texts viz. Khadir, Badar etc. The selection of dahanopkarana and amount of agni depends upon the condition and site of disease. It has been said that agni should be nirdhoom and sufficiently hot for heating of dahanopakarna.



Types of Agni-Karma-
According to akriti,Acharya Sushruta have mentioned four types and named them dahanvishesha-
(1) Valaya (2) Bindu
(3) Vilekha (4) Pratisarana
Acharya Vagbhatta has added three more types-
(1) Ardhachandra
(2) Ashtapada
(3) Swastika
Here akriti should be taken both as a shape of dahanopakarana and final shape produced after agni-karma.

Types according to dhatus-
(1) Twaka dagdha
(2) Mamsa dagdha
(3) Sira and Snayu dagdha
(4) Asthi and Sandhi dagdha
This does not means that we have burnt skin, mamsa,sira, snayu, asthi aur sandhi. It simply means that we have to transmit heat or give thermal stimulus to different dhatus, that is why different types of dahanopakarana were used, because they maintain different temperature when heated,and thus are capable of transmitting heat to various tissues according to the depth.
Symptoms and methodology has been described in detail.

Agnikarma is said to be superior over all parasurgical procedures because the disease which are incurable by medicines, surgery and other parasurgical procedures can be cured by agnikarma. The qualities which make agnikarma superior are as follows:
(1) Apunarbhavat
(2) Sterlization property
(3) Haemostatic
(4) Curative property
(5) Effects on doshas
Mode of action of agnikarma:
Any chemical change capable of being accelerated by heat, is accelerated by a rise of temperature. Consequently heating of tissue accelerates the chemical change i.e. metabolism. As a result of increased metabolism, there is an increased demand for oxygen and food stuff and increased output of waste products, which includes metabolites, which act on the walls of the capillaries and arterioles causing vaso-dilatation. In addition, the heat has a direct effect on the blood-vessels causing vaso-dilatation, particularly in the superficial tissues where the heating is maximum.

Stimulation of nerve endings can also cause reflex dilatation of the arterioles. As a result of the vasodilatation there is an increased blood flow through the area, so that the necessary oxygen and the nutrient materials are supplied and waste products are removed which promotes healing. Heat appears to produce definite sedative effects on the nerves. The effect of heat on nerve conduction is still to be thoroughly investigated. There is evidence that any sensory excitation reaching the brain simultaneously with pain excitation, results in pain impulse being more or less attenuated.

Holistic healing and education is one of the fastest growing field in the country. Once the province of a dedicated minority, alternative medicine has gained mainstream support. Peiple are spending millions of "out of pocket" dollars on holistic care by accessing a rapidly growing network of natural medicine, practitioners and resorces. Integrated medicine is now viewed by many as the answer to America's spiralling healthcare costs and rising incidence of chronic diseases.
Ayurveda is an important solution to many problems because it offers a true mind-body-spirit paradigm and promotes prevention through life style changes. No health care system is complete. We must take the advantage of all the existing health care systems. Ayurveda is a result oriented science.