Ayurveda is a life science originated thousands of years back. The word Ayurveda is a conjugation of two Sanskrit words ‘ayus’, meaning ‘life’ and ‘veda’, meaning ‘science’, thus ayurveda literally means the ‘science of life’. Unlike other medicinal systems, Ayurveda focuses more on both healthy human and the diseased one. The main concept of Ayurveda is that it personalizes the healing process.
History says Ayurveda originated from the Hindu God Brahma. This is taught to Daksha prajapati and so on. Ayurveda books draw a clear cut picture of origin of Ayurveda. Ayurveda has 8 branches mainy. Such as Kaya, Bala, Graha Oordwanga, Salya, Damshtra, Jara and Vrisha. For more convenience General medicine falls in to Kaya chikitsa, Paediatrics in to Bala chikitsa, Psychiatry in to Graha chikitsa, ENT in to Oordwanga chikitsa, Surgery in to Salya chikitsa. The other three branches cannot be seen in the conventional system of medicine like Toxicology in to Damshtra, Geriatry in to Jara and Sexual treatments falls in to Vrisha chikitsa.
The main consept of Ayurveda is ‘Tridosha theory’. Vata, Pitta and Kapha consist of tridosha concept. The equilibrium state of tridosha requires the healthy status of body when the in equilibrium status of tridosha causes diseases. According to Ayurveda concept body is made up of this tridosha concept. Each and every people having their own parkriti are made up of combinations of these tridosha. According to Ayurveda all objects in the universe including human body are composed of five basic elements (Panchamahabhutas) namely, earth, water, fire, air and vacuum (ether). There is a balanced condensation of these elements in different proportions to suit the needs and requirements of different structures and functions of the body matrix and its parts. Ayurveda not only deals with the diseases and its treatments, it also talks about various levels of life. It is a way of a life style; by following this life style one can be healthy both mentally and physically. Ayurveda defines health as ‘Sama dosha samamgnischa sama dhatu, mala kriya| Prasanna atmendriya mana: swastha ithybhideeyate||’.
