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Ayurvedic drugs are developed from Ancient Ayurvedic System of medicine prevalent in India since the Vedic period. The word Ayurveda is made up of two components. ‘Ayush’ meaning Life and ‘Veda’ meaning Science, hence Ayurveda is the ‘Science of Life’. The origin of this ancient science dates back to Vedic period, about 5000 years ago, Brahma, the creator was the originator of this system who passed if on to the Ashwini Kumars (Physicians of God) who in turn imparted it to the Rishis, from where it was promoted among the people through generations.
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OBJECTIVE OF AYURVEDA
The main objective of Ayurveda is maintenance and promotion of positive health and cure of diseases, through medicine, dietary restrictions and regulated life style.
2. BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AYURVEDA
The basic principles of Ayurveda involve two theories, one is the Panchamaha- bhuta theory and the other is the Tridosha theory. According to Ayurvedic philosophy all the living and non-living matters are made up of five basic elements in various proportions, they are Prithvi (Earth), Jala (Water), Teja (Fire), Vayu (Air) and Aakash (Ether). Even the human body is made up of these elements known collectively as the Panchamahabhutas. According to Ayurveda again, all the physiological functions of the body are governed by three biological units namely Vata, Pitta and Kafa each of which in turn is made up of the Mahabhutas, Physiologically these three doshas are responsible for various specific functions.
VATA is responsible for all voluntary and involuntary movements in the human body.
PITTA is responsible for all digestive and metabolic activities.
Kafa provides the static energy (strength ) for holding body tissues together. It also provides lubricants at the various points of friction.
When these Doshas are in the normal state of functioning it is Health and when they lose their equilibrium and get vitiated by valious internal and external factors they produce varied diseases in the human body. Hence Ayurvedic treatment of any disease is aimed at restoring the equilibrium of the Doshas.
3. BRANCHES OF AYURVEDA
Ayurveda is mainly classified into eight branches which specialize in different fields of medicine.
4. DISEASE PROCESS
Ayurveda has very distinctly dealt, with the disease process which has six stages. These stages have been referred to as the Sat Kriya Kalas (Time for treatment) and includes:-
1. Sanchaya (Stage of accumulation)
2. Prakopa (State of provocation)
3. Prasara (Stage of spreading)
4. Sthana Sanshrey (Stage of localization)
5. Vyakti (Stage disease manifestation)
6. Bheda (Stage of complications or chronici)
It has been emphasized in Ayurveda to diagnose and treat a disease in its early stagesso that its complications can be prevented and at times the manifestation of a disease too can be averted.
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