Traditional system of medicines

Traditional system of medicines – Ayurveda

Content

• Role of Ayurveda in traditional systems of medicine

• Principle of Ayurveda

Objective

At the end of this lecture, student will be able to

• Discuss the role of Ayurveda in traditional systems of medicine

• Explain the principle of Ayurveda

Traditional systems of medicine

Ø Traditional systems like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani impart knowledge about folklore practices and medicinal importance of drugs of natural origin

Ø The standardization of these drugs is essential since, these drugs are used to treat various ailments of human being

Ø The role of medicinal plants in traditional system made them back bone of these systems

Ø Traditional medicine is the sum of the knowledge, skills and beliefs of different cultures of different countries for the maintenance of health

Ayurveda

Ø Ayurveda– Oldest system of traditional medicine

Ø Dominant herbal tradition in India

Ø Enjoys a faith of large number of people

Ø Spectrum of influence is being enlarged as it is encouraged in many countries like Japan, Germany etc

Ø Ayurveda – Two Sanskrit words

Ayur – Life, Veda – Knowledge /Science

Ayurveda is knowledge of life or science of life

Ø Ayurveda – Incorporates Science and religion

Ø Aim include enhancing well being and increasing longevity

Ø Essence of Ayurveda lies in providing “ Swasthya “ which is a union of physical, emotional and spiritual health

Ø About 5000 years evolved from the deep wisdom of rishies of Himalaya

Ø Knowledge had been transmitted orally from teachers to disciples

Ø Finally took the form of Vedas during 1500 BC

Ø Punarvasu athreya – Ayurveda school

Ø Recorded medicinal knowledge of many plants

Ø Charaka– Charaka Samhitha, more than 1500 medicinal herbs

Ø Sushrutha samhitha – Basis for modern surgery

Ø About 75-80% of population is still relying on herbal medicine especially in developing countries because of better compatibility and lesser side effects.

Principle:

Ø Based on concept of five basic elements (Pancha mahabhuthas) and tri doshas

Ø Whole universe is made up of five basic elements

Ø Whole universe – Material world, plant kingdom an other living beings

Ø All the five elements – Basis of all matter

Basic elements

English Name	Sanskrit Name
Ether	Akasha
Air	Vayu
Fire	Agni
Water	Jala
Earth	Prithvi

Properties, location / manifestations

English Name	Sanskrit Name	Property	Location
Ether	Akasha	Non-resistance	Body cavities, mouth, thorax, lung cavity
Air	Vayu	Movements, vibrations	Movement of muscles, pulsation of heart, contraction of lungs
Fire	Agni	Radiation	Digestion, metabolism, vision and Intelligence
Water	Jala	Force	Blood, salivary glands, gastric juice
Earth	Pruthvi	Resistance and solidarity	Hair, nails, bones, skin

Tri Doshas

Dosha	Combination of
Vata (Air principle)	Ether and air
Pitta (Fire principle)	Fire and water
Kapha (Water principle)	Earth and water

Ø Tridoshas exist in everything and influence physical and mental processes

Ø Tridoshas in hormony with each other, however one of them is dominating in every human being

Ø Determines Prakruthi of the person

Ø Body type, temperament, susceptibility to illness – influenced by predominant dosha

Ø Man is born with a particular balance of doshas

Ø Balance of doshas of parents at the time of conception determines the proportion of doshas

Ø Health – Total harmony of vata, pitta and kapha

Ø Sickness – Imbalance of any one or more of doshas

Ø Aggregation of pitta – Indigestion, skin diseases, liver problems

Ø Aggregation of vata – Nerve problems

Ø Aggregation of kapha – Gastric problems

Ø Physical, mental and environmental factors contribute for the imbalance of doshas

Selection of drugs:

Selection

1. Rasa (Taste)

2. Virya (Potency)

3. Vipaka (Taste after digestion)

Rasa (Taste) :

Taste	Combination of	Influence on doshas
Sweet	Earth and water	Kapha increases, vata and pitta decreases
Sour	Water and fire	Pitta increases
Saline	Fire and earth	Pitta increases
Bitter	Air and fire	Pitta increases
Pungent	Air and ether	Kapha and pitta decreases
Astringent	Air and earth	Pitta decreases, vata increases