Introduction of Ayurveda
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medical science which is excerpted from the foremost ancient literature i.e.Veda. Ayurveda word is made from two words Ayu (Life/Age) and Veda (Science). It is life science and encyclopedia which deals with the almost every aspect necessary for life and healthy well-being. Ayurveda literature serves to the community in form of prevention, promotion and restoration of health. Ayurveda is nature-based treatment and serving to community from thousand years. The basic principles, theory and medicines are same as documented in previous era literature. These theories are also playing a very significant role for the management of new era diseases. But on other side the concepts and theories of modern medical science regularly changed and updated even after in decade only. Conclusively we can say that the basic principles and theories of Ayurveda are more researched and practical and scientists of Ayurveda called Rishis were more wise, sensible and talented.
Basic Theories of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is not working mystique and random science. It works scientifically and based on some basic principles like Tridosh theory, Panchmahabuta, Dhatu, Agni, Mal etc. In literature, Nidana sthan Acharya describes about the etiology, pathogenesis of each and every disease so that a scholar of Ayurveda can understand the root cause of disease and treat accordingly. So of the basic principles are as follows:
Tridosh Theory
Ayurveda literature says that the body is constituted of three dosha viz Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Physical and mental balance of these three dosha is called a healthy state of a person and imbalance of any one called it as a sick person. Assessment of these three doshas can be done only according to the properties of dosha i.e. Guna. A physician always tries to balance these dosha as per constitution (Prakriti) of body.
Panchmahabhoot Theory
Every human body or every particle of universe is made from the five elements viz Prithvi (Solid/Earth), Agni (Fire), Vayu (Air), Jal (Water), Akash (Empty space) which are all together termed as Panchmahabhoot. Imbalance of one or more elements in body may be result as a disease so there is always need to keep them balance as according to the constitution of body.
Dhatu
Dhatu means “the thing which can hold the structure”. Human body structure is hold by various building blocks like plasma, blood, muscles, bone, bone marrow etc. These are collectively termed as Dhatu in Ayurveda literature. These are total seven in number and named as Ras (Plasma), Rakt (Blood), Mamsa (Muscle), Meda (Fatty tissue), Asthi (Bone), Majja (Bone Marrow) and Shukra (Semen). Proper diet and digestion ensure the potentiation and renewal of every dhatu. So, potentiation of each and every dhantu depends on the type of food and metabolic fire. Ayurveda opines that every person should eat the food that can easily digested and potentiate the body. Imbalance of Dhatu’s because of any reason (improper food intake, digestive power, hormonal diseases, genetic diseases or else) may lead to various diseases. So, one should always try to keep balance of each dhatu.
Agni
Agni means fire. As per Ayurveda literature the fire/energy is responsible for all kind of digestive, metabolic and transformation process at cellular level in human body. It includes the hormones, enzymes and other all type of chemicals released in body related to the process of assimilation. As per literature there are thirteen kinds of agni present in body i.e., Jathragni (one type), Panchmahabhootagni (five types) and Dhatwagni (seven types). Jathragni is first and foremost powerful agni of body. Level of agni in body is responsible for growth of body and longevity of life. Good level of agni means good health and low level of agni means poor health.
Mala
The waste products like urine, stool, sweat etc. are excreted from the body naturally to keep harmony of body. These waste products are collectively termed as Mala in Ayurveda. Excretion of waste products from eyes, ears, nose; tears; nails; hair are also included in the mala.
Medicines in Ayurveda
There are many kinds of medicines are available in Ayurveda science. These may be used internally and externally. Ayurveda always use the medicine in their natural crude form after purification and detoxification. These medicines may be originated from herbs, animals and metals. Herbal medicines are mainly prepared from their different part of herbs like bark, fruit, flower, leaf etc. These medicines are prepared from single medicine and compound of many herbs. Metallic or elemental medicines are usually prepared after the specific purification and detoxification method as documented in literature. Metallic medicine generally used with the herbs as a vehicle or in compound. Some peoples question the internal use of metals but after many modern studies these are found safe in human beings if they are prepared and used appropriately. The preparation of medicines always done in hygienic environment and prescribed as according to the palatability of patient means one medicine can be in tablet and syrup or in powder etc. There are many forms of medicines in Ayurveda like Churna (Powder), Vati (Tablet), Asava/Arista, Kwath/Kasyam, Bhasma, Ras, Ghita, Taila and many more.
Procedures in Ayurveda
In Ayurveda there are main five bio purificatory methods to clean the toxins from the body generally termed as Panchkarma. Inspite of these panchkarma procedures many surgical, para surgical procedures like bloodletting, agni karma, kshara sutra etc are also very well defined in literature.