Ayurveda is
a Sanskrit word. Ayur means life and Veda
means sacred text or knowledge.
As per Hindu Mythology three Gods control
the Universe. Brahma is the creator, Vishnu
is the preserver and Mahesh is the destroyer.
Ayurveda is the knowledge delivered to human
beings by Lord Brahma.
Ayurveda dates back to Indus valley civilization
which started flourishing in 3000 B. C.
There is a reference of Lord Mahavir, a
great saint of Jain religion, being treated
by Jivak, a guru of Ayurveda, before about
2500 years back. Charak a sage was accounted
as a great authority on Ayurveda. A compendium
by Charak is known as Charak Sanhita and
this is the oldest literature on Ayurveda
found in India. Nagarjan also redacted Sushruta
Sanhita another compendium of Ayurveda.
Sushruta Sanhita puts emphasis on Surgery.
Vagbhatta was also a renowned authority
on Ayurveda. Ashtanga Hradaya is also a
great text by Vagbhatta. As Buddhism was
spread in 500 B.C. to next 1000 years to
China, Tibet, Sri Lanka, Thailand and other
Far Eastern Countries, along with it Ayurveda
also spread to these countries as well.
To-day in modern India Ayurveda is being
practiced and it is officially approved
branch of Alternative Medicine.
As per Hindu philosophy the universe consists
of five elements, Akash- the space,
Prithavi -the earth, Jala – the water,
Vayu – the air and Agni – the
fire. These are known as Panch Maha Bhuta.
Ayurvedic pharmacology is based on these
five elements.
As per Ayurveda a human body consists of
three humors. Humor is a fluid that constitutes
human body and the temperament. The three
humors are known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
These are also known as tridosha.
Tridosha are formed by a combination of
five elements shown above.
For healthy body and healthy mind a perfect
balance of Tridosha is required.
Any change in balanced proportion causes
illness.
As medicine Ayurveda uses mainly materials
from plant origin, some natural minerals
and some materials from animal origin.
In Ayurveda many of the materials from Plant
kingdom have been studied and it is found
that each herb has tendency to enhance or
reduce Vata, Pitta or Kapha. Correction
of Vata, Pitta or Kapha brings back the
required balance and health.
