History of Ayurveda

Charak Samhita

During the second century, Charak Samhita thrived; it is believed that Agnivesha wrote it. He was a disciple of the great Ayurvedic scholar Punarvasu Atreya. It is believed that Agnivesha, with his co-disciples, created it by drawing all the knowledge from his teacher. Still, later on, Charak defined the work of Agnivesha by focusing on the detailed diagnosis of diseases and their treatment.

Sushruta Samhita

It was developed in approximately the first millennium BCE and is believed to have been written by Sushruta. It is the first scripture describing the detailed practices and the concept of surgery in Ayurveda. It comprises at least 184 chapters, with approximately 1100 health ailments, 300 different types of operations, and at least 42 surgical processes. Sushruta and his students developed 121 different kinds of instruments and 650 types of medicines derived from plants and animals. Vagbhata wrote Ashtanga Hridayam Sangraha after Charaka and Sushruta Samhita, and it mainly focused on Kayachiktsa. It specializes in internal medicine and presents detailed descriptions of doshas in the body and its sub-parts.

The lesser classic of Ayurveda consists of Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhava Nidanam, and Bhava Prakash. Sharangadhara Samhita explains the pharmacological formulation utilized in panchakarma treatments.

Bhava Prakash, developed in the 16th century, deals with Kayachikitsa and explains what food you need to consume to balance your doshas.

Madhava Nidanam was created around 700 CE and explained ailments specifically about women and children and conditions of toxicology.

The conquest of the British Empire in India around the 15th century led to a decline in the practices of Ayurveda. At this time, Britishers discouraged and prohibited the practices of Ayurveda and made it the second option of treatments mostly used by poor people. However, Ayurveda started restoring its glory after independence.

So, What is Ayurveda?

According toAyurveda, humans, like the universe, are made up of five elements: Ether, Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and the soul. These elements are called the Mahabhootas. Ayurveda suggests that the human body is a microcosm of the universe and that we are a reflection of the world we live in.

How the Elements Manifest

• Ether: Ether represents space in the universe's structure; its essential quality is sound. It is related to the wind and represents subtlety. The characteristics of Ether are delicate, smooth, and soft. Its effects are Porous, lightening, and producing.
• Air: In the structure of the universe, air represents motion. Its essential quality is touch. It represents the principle of propulsion. Its characteristics are Pight, cold, dry, rough, and fine. Its effects are stimulating motion and activating.
• Fire: Fire represents essential energy in appearance. It is related to the Sun and represents the principle of conversion and transformation. Fire characteristics are Hot, sharp, fine, light, dry, and clear. Its effects are Stimulating and energy-forming.
• Water: In the universal structure, water represents cohesion (staying together). Its essential quality is taste, and it is related to the Moon. Water represents the principle of cooling. Its characteristics are Flowing, cold, slow, soft, and mucous. Its effects are Moistening and dissolving.
• Earth: In the structure of the universe, Earth represents mass. Its essential quality is the smell. It's also related to the Moon and represents the principle of solidity. Its characteristics are Heavy, Solid, rigid, slow, rough, and transparent. Its effects are Growth and stability.

The concept of Ayurveda is to balance the Doshas through the proper knowledge of the elements. A specific Yoga practice that helps balance the Doshas can be practised to keep ourselves in harmony with the universe and everything in it.

Which tools does Ayurveda most rely on to restore balance and preserve health?

Appropriate changes in lifestyle, routines, diet, Ayurvedic herbs, exercises, meditation, and natural procedures like oil massage and sweating are all used. Panchakarma and rasayana therapies are employed for deeper detoxification and rejuvenation.

Consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner will help you recognize your current constitution (Prakruti) and current state of imbalance (Vikruti). You will understand the behavioural causes of current imbalances and get advice on changing your lifestyle, diet, and herbs to restore balance.

Modern Ayurveda is divided into eight branches that include

• Panchakarma Chikitsa: comprises of various rejuvenation and purification treatments
• Kulam Svastyam Kutumbakam: That explains all the principles to prevent ailments for the entire family
• Sangakara chikitsa: it deals with addictions
• Sthaulya Chikitsa: it deals towards diet and weight loss through the practice of Ayurveda
• Vatavyadhi chikitsa: It deals with the musculoskeletal ailments
• Saundhraya sadhana: it is related to the beauty treatments
• Vajikarana: It deals with infertility( male and female)
• Svabhaavoparamavaada: It is all about increasing body resistance to various ailments.

How can Ayurvedic medicine help you?

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that could be translated into “The science of Life.” It originated in India over 5000 years ago and is one of the world’s oldest health care systems. Ayurveda is a complete philosophy that cultivates a healthy lifestyle and prevents disease. It considers key aspects of life, including diet, movement, and relationship with nature and the environment.

According to Ayurveda, all living beings are uniquely composed of different proportions of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and space). The doshas, Kapha, Pitta, and Vata are the three primary body types used to identify a person’s constitution. Each dosha combines two prominent elements and has distinct energies and qualities. The body and mind perform at their peak when the doshas are in a natural balance.