Ayurveda

Origin and Historical Context

• Ayurveda, one of the oldest codified medical systems, dates back over 3,000 years. Major texts include:

• Charaka Samhita – Focuses on internal medicine.

• Sushruta Samhita – Emphasizes surgery and anatomy.

• Ashtanga Hridaya – A comprehensive guide on Ayurvedic principles and treatments.

Illustration of Ayurveda

Basic Principles of Ayurveda

Panchamahabhuta Theory

• Everything in the universe, including the human body, is composed of five elements:

• Earth (Prithvi)

• Water (Aap)

• Fire (Tejas)

• Air (Vayu)

• Ether/Space (Akasha)

Tridosha Concept

Balance of three biological energies governs health:

• Vata (Air + Ether): Controls movement, circulation, and nerve impulses.

• Pitta (Fire + Water): Manages digestion, metabolism, and transformation.

• Kapha (Earth + Water): Maintains structure, lubrication, and tissue growth.

• Imbalance among doshas leads to diseases.

Sapta Dhatus (Seven Body Tissues)

• Rasa (plasma), Rakta (blood), Mamsa (muscle), Meda (fat), Asthi (bone), Majja (marrow/nervous tissue), Shukra/Artava (reproductive tissue).

Ojas & Prakriti

• Ojas: The essence of all dhatus, linked to vitality and immunity.

• Prakriti: Individual’s unique constitution, guiding personalized treatment.

Key Therapeutic Approaches

• Shodhana (Cleansing): Panchakarma detoxification methods (Vamana, Virechana, Basti, Nasya, Raktamokshana).

• Shamana (Palliative Care): Use of herbs, diet, and lifestyle changes to balance doshas.

• Pathya-Apathya (Diet & Lifestyle Guidance): Preventive healthcare through daily routines (Dinacharya) and seasonal regimens (Ritucharya).