| Shalya
Tantra (Surgery)
Contrary to the
modern concepts surgery was pioneered by ayurveda
in ancient India. It is a significant branch of
ayurveda. The name of the sage-physician Susruta
is synonymous with surgery. From his treatise
Susruta Samhita we come to know that thousand
of years ago sophisticated methods of surgery
were practiced in India.
The
original text of Susruta discusses in detail about
an exhaustive range of surgical methods including
about how to deal with various types of tumors,
internal and external injuries, fracture of bones,
complications during pregnancy and delivery, and
obstruction in intestinal loop. Susruta was the
first surgeon to develop cosmetic surgery. His
surgical treatment for trichiasis can be to some
of the modern operative techniques used for this
eye disease.
The use of various
surgical instruments is also described in the
Susruta Samhita for the treatment. The instruments
described were made from stone, wood and other
such natural materials.
Shalya Tantra
was popular because this could give fast relief
as compared to the slow process of recovery from
medicines or herbs. Charaka the best-known physician
of ayurvedic medicine also recommended for Shalya
Tantra in treatment of certain diseases, which
required immediate attention like hemorrhoids.
The long foreign rule in India and lack of promotion
stalled the progress of ayurvedic surgery in the
middle of the second millennium.
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Shalakya
Tantra (E.N.T, Opthalmology)
This branch of ayurveda
deals in details with the etiology, diagnosis,
prognosis, prevention and treatment of diseases
of head, ear, nose, eye and throat. The name of
this branch was called Shalakya due to excessive
use of 'Shalaka', which means a rod or probe.
Though all the three main classics of ayurveda
deals on this subject, Susruta Samhita describes
more deeply about this branch. So much so that
some of the classifications found in the Susruta
Samhita are mot even traced by the modern medical
science. It described five types of pterygium,
and the prognosis it made about aveitis and glaucoma
has not been improved since. In fact he is the
first surgeon in medical history who systematically
and elaborately dealt with anatomical structure
of eye.
Susruta has discussed
about 72 diseases of the eye. He has stipulated
drug therapy for various types of conjunctivitis
and glaucoma along with surgical procedures of
the removal of cataract, pterygium, diseases of
ear, nose and throat besides cosmetic surgery
for traumatized nose and ear (rhinoplasty and
auraplasty).
Apart from these complicated methods of treatment
the three samhitas—Charaka, Susruta and
Astanga Hridaya, recommended simple home remedies
for minor problems like dryness of eye, migraine
and mouth ulcers etc. which are being successfully
administered even today.
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| Treatments in Ayurveda |
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Indian medicine names three main causes of
disease – 'overuse', 'disuse' or 'misuse’
of faculties; 'errors in judgment'; and influence
of seasonal changes. According to Ayurveda all
human diseases can be classified into the seven
broad categories, namely: More
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Discussion forum for ayurveda to discuss ayurveda
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| Doshas in ayurveda |
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In Ayurvedic philosophy, the
five elements combine in pairs to form three
dynamic forces or interactions called doshas.
Dosha means "that which changes."
It is a word derived from the root dus, which
is equivalent to the English prefix 'dys', such
as in dysfunction, dystrophy, etc. More
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| Branches of Ayurveda |
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Ayurveda is a vast science so for convenient
study of Ayurveda, it is divided into eight
branches, which are collectively called as Ashtang
Ayurveda. The eight branches of Ayurvedic science
are as follows:. More
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Agada tantra (Toxicology)
Agada tantra or Toxicology branch
of ayurveda described about various methods of cleaning the
poisons out of the body as well as recommends antidotes for
particular poisons. It deals with a wide range of natural
toxins originating from wild lives (animals, birds, insects
etc.), plants/herbs (belladonna, aconite etc.), vegetables,
minerals (leads, mercury, arsenal etc.) and artificial poisons
prepared from poisonous drugs. This branch also deals with
air and water pollution, which are basically the causes of
various dangerous epidemics.
The three samhitas described about
this branch of toxicology, which also include description,
and disadvantages of food of opposite qualities, drugs and
food causing chronic poisoning symptoms. In ayurveda certain
poisons are used as medicines after proper processing and
quantification. Precious stones like diamond, ruby and poisonous
minerals like lead and mercury were in use for this purpose.
This branch also has information regarding fatal doses of
various poisons, which are resorted to in a view to administer
those into an enemy's body system.
This branch of kaumarabhritya
deals comprehensively about prenatal, postnatal baby care
and gynecology. With the view to achieve its ultimate aim
of creating a healthy and disease free society ayurveda strives
to make the baby from the time of its conception upto the
time of its growth into an adult.
Kaumarabhritya (Peiatrics)
Kaumarabhritya has recognized
that the mental and physical state of the mother has direct
links with the health of the child. It has recommended particular
diet, regimen, nutrition and conduct for women during and
after delivery. So advanced was this science that thousands
of years back Charaka described the growth and progress of
fetus in minute detail. Even it mentioned about a technique
called punsanvan vidhi for having a child of one's desired
gender, intelligence and constitution. This branch meticulously
dealt with the problem of infertility—its causes and
treatment methods.
Apart from that kaumarbhritya deals with various disorders
concerning children's health such as gastrointestinal diseases,
teething disorder, rickets other than midwifery.
Vajiokarna (Science of Aphrodisiac)
Ayurveda in this branch of science
explains the art of producing healthy progeny for the creation
of a better society. Hence, deals with various diseases like
infertility and conditions relating to weak shukra dhatu or
the vital reproductive fluids of the body. Apart from prescribing
a lot of effective formulations to provide nutrition to enhance
the quality of this vital body fluids it specifically emphasized
to lead a highly disciplined life.
This branch of ayurveda highlighted that celibacy is essential
for good health. It helps increase the will power, intellect
and memory in addition to a healthy body. The shukra dhatu
has a direct link with ojas or the immunity of the body. Hence,
vajikaran prescribed the therapeutic use of various aphrodisiacs
and tonic preparations for enhancing the vigor and reproductive
capabilities of men that also strengthens other body tissues
(dhatus) like muscles, fats, bones and blood.
Bhuta Vidya (psychicatry)
This branch of ayurveda specifically
deals with the diseases of mind or psychic conditions, which
can be caused by super natural forces. Different experts have
explained the word bhuta differently. Some experts say that
bhuta means ghosts and similar bad spirits who cause abnormal
psychological conditions. Others say bhuta represents microscopic
organisms such as virus, bacteria that are not visible to
naked eye. Ayurveda also believes in the past karma as a causative
factor of certain diseases. Bhuta Vidya deals with the causes,
which are directly not visible and have no direct explanation
in terms of tridosha.
In many cases illness is caused
by the disturbance of mind, where rajas (passion) and tamas
(ignorance) are supposed to be the contributing factors. These
problems can be related to modern psychiatry.
Bhuta Vidya mention use of various disinfectant plants under
the title of 'graha vidya dravya' for fumigation to make the
atmosphere germ free. In addition to this herbs, diet, use
of mantras and yogic therapies like meditation and pranayama
to pacify the psychological disturbances of a patient.
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Rasayana (The Science of Rejuvenation)
All therapies in ayurveda aim to provide
good all round health, so that people can engage in
achieving the real goal of life—self-realization.
The rasayana therapy increases the life force (ojas)
and immunity of a person and thus there is a regeneration
of cells and tissues in the body. Rasayana is a therapeutic
process to defer old age.
The sages of ancient times led long,
disease-free, and vigorous lives with the help of rasayanas.
Lord Indra is supposed to have given the knowledge of
these panaceas to the sages.
Literally, rasayana means the augmentation
of rasa, the vital fluid produced by the digestion of
food. It is the rasa flowing in the body which sustains
life. Rasayana in ayurveda is, the method of treatment
through which the rasa is maintained in the body.
Another connotation of rasa in ayurveda
is that it is a herbal medicine, which maintains the
life and health of the individual, and increases his
bodily and mental vigor. herbal medicines are categorized
according to whether they promote general health and
longevity, sexual vigor, immunity. The three medicine
categories are known in ayurveda as rasayana, vajikarana,
and aushadhis, respectively. These categories are complementary
to each other.
Rasayanas prepared from the herbs and
medicinal plants of amalaki, haritiki, triphala, bhringaraja,
ashwagandha, punarnava, chitraka and many other herbal
medicines have been used from time immemorial and have
been instrumental in giving long, disease-free, and
vigorous lives to their users.
The human body contains some chemical
elements, which are known as trace elements. Nine such
elements are now recognized: cobalt, copper, fluorine,
iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc.
Ayurveda has always been using various metals, jewels,
and pearls as medicines for certain deficiency diseases.
These elements are turned into calxes or bhasmas for
administration in different diseases. Calxes of gold,
silver, copper and iron are widely used.
Jewels or ratnas include precious and
semiprecious stones, which are used as drugs because
of their therapeutic properties. Major jewels or maharatnas
include: diamond—hiraka; ruby—manikya; pearl—mukta;
topaz—pushparaga; sapphire—neelam; emerald—tarksha;
cat's eye—vaidurya; zircon—gomedak; and
caulk—vidruma. Uparatnas or minor jewels like
sun-stone—suryakant , moonstone—chandrakanta,
and crystal—sphatik were in use.
The calx of diamond is a powerful cardiac tonic and
one of the best elixirs. It was applied in curing diabetes,
urinary troubles, and anemia. Because of its powerful
aphrodisiac qualities the calx of diamond was used to
treat impotence. The calx of rubies was used to increase
intelligence, virility, and longevity. It also cures
disorders produced by the vitiation of the three doshas.
Much more than physical health, ayurveda
begins with healing genetic physical weakness. It goes
a great length to ascertain these inherited hindrances
in one's being. Then it recommends practice of suitable
lifestyle regimens, which guard those faults, and use
herbs and essential oils to heal and mend those weaknesses.
Another aim of ayurvedic is to ensure balance of the
three doshas. Following these rules the rasayana branch
of treatment resorts to herb preparations and oils,
bodywork, meditative practices, mantra exercises and
breathing/pranayama to attain total mind-body healing.
Rasayana oils have properties to bring balance in specific
dosha types.
Administration of Rasayana
The Rasayana therapy is taken in two
different ways:
Kutipravesika
In this process, elaborate arrangements
are made for the construction of a special type of cottage
where the individual is supposed to stay secluded, while
taking the Rasayana. The person has to strictly follow
the diets and other instructions of the physician. Here,
he undergoes the detoxification process called Panchakarma
therapy before taking the rejuvenation. Rejuvenation
is done with help of some specific medicinal formulations
and a specific lifestyle regimen. Kaya kalpa is a special
rejuvenating method.
The term kaya kalpa means renewal of
body. According to ayurveda the human body is made of
seven types of dhatu or tissues-structures such as plasma,
blood, muscle, fat, bone, marrow and reproductive fluids.
To prolong the youthfulness of the body several physical
as well as mental disciplinary methods along with rasayanas
or herbal medicines are used, to rebuild the body's
cells and tissues after the initial process of detoxification—panchakarma.
Kaya kalpa is that unique therapy, which brings about
complete rejuvenation of the body through cell and tissue
renewal. It is supposed to endow an individual with
longevity, memory, intellect, youth, strength of sensory
and motor organs, even, an excellent complexion and
voice.
Vatatapika
This method is best for people who don't have time to
stay in the ayurvedic clinic to take the first kind
of rejuvenation. It comprises of different types ayurvedic
herbal preparations which are taken as prescribed by
the doctor.
Rasayana is held as the culmination of ayurvedic wisdom.
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