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Ayurveda is one of the oldest medical systems in the world. It was derived from its ancient Sanskrit roots – ‘ayus’ (life) and ‘ved’ (knowledge) over 5000 years ago. It is India’s traditional health care system. The main source of knowledge is the Vedas, more specifically ‘Atharvaveda’, the fourth of the series which dates back to 1000 B.C. Of all the treatises the famous ones that survived extinction are ‘Charaka Samhita’ and the Sushruta Samhita’ – internal medicine and surgery respectively.
Ayurveda spreads to Tibet, China, magnolia, Korea and Sri Lanka carries over by Buddhist Monks. Ayurveda is not solely a health care system but a form of lifestyle espoused to preserve perfect balance and harmony of the three physical energies – Vata, Pita, Kapha and the three mental energies – Satwa, Raja, Tamas.
Ashtanga Hridayam – heart of all the eight branches of Ayurveda is the concise compilation of earlier Ayurvedic texts. AH is written by Vaghbata is in poetic form in Sanskrit. Ashtanga in Sanskrit means Eight components that represent Internal medicine, surgery, Gynecology and Pediatrics, rejuvenation therapy, aphrodisiac therapy, toxicology, psychiatry or spiritual healing and ENT. It continues to serve as a root of Ayurvedic philosophy and protocol. Sushruta – one of the earliest surgeons, Charaka a medical genius and Vaghbata are considered to be “ the trinity” of Ayurvedic knowledge.
