Indian System /Traditional  of medicine Ayurveda system of medicine

As per PCI Syllabus

(T. Y. B. Pharm Sem –VI  Unit - I) /

(S. Y. B. Pharm  Sem –IV Unit – IV)


Introduction

Traditional system of medicine also known as indigenous/ folk medicine/ alternative medicine comprises of medical aspects of knowledge, skills, and practises based on different cultures and different people which are used to treat the diseases.
It includes various systems being practiced throughout the world such as Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy, Chinese systems etc.



Ayurveda system of medicine


Ayurveda is one of the oldest system of medicine which came into existence in about 900 B.C. The word “Ayur” means Life and ”Veda” means Science. Literally Ayurveda means science of life.
 Charaka and Sushruta made significant contributions to Ayurveda. The book "Charak Samhita” was written by Charaka and he was known as father of Ayurveda.

Ayurveda is based on the following principles. 




a) Panchabhuta Siddhanta (Pancha means five, Mahabhuta means elements
(i.e, Five basic elements).
b) Tridosha theory (Means three doshas are put together (vata, pitta & kapha).).
c) Guna-Rasa-Virya-Vipaka-Probhava Siddhanta.

According to this theory, It believes that the whole universe is made up of five basic elements known as ”Mahabhutas” and they are present in the human body. They are

1. Prithvi (Earth).
2. Jala (Water),
3. Vayu (Air),
4. Agni (Fire),
5. Akasha (Void / Sky)

Combinations of these five elements form seven basic tissues of the body which
are referred as "Sapta Dahu" which are as follows.

1. Rasa (Lymph/ Plasma),
2. Rakta (Blood),
3. Mamsa (Flesh),
4. Meda (Fat),
5. Asti (Bones),
6. Majja (Marrow),
7. Shukra ( Reproductive organs).

These Sapta dahu undergo wear and tear to form ”Mala” (Excretory products).


b) Tridosha theory


According to this theory, the five basic elements (Pancha Mahabhuta) exist in
human body in three different forms, together known as ”Tridosha”, they are
Vata (Space + Air).
Pitta (Fire + Liquid).
Kapha (Liquid + Solid).

These tridoshas when present in balanced form in the body is considered as
healthy condition, any imbalance in tridosha is considered as disease condition.
Ayurveda tries to maintain the balance in these elements.

Vata: It regulates the psychic and nervous system. Imbalance of this leads to disease of ENT, heart, urinary tract, skin, etc.

Pitta: It regulates energy production, digestion, tissue building, etc. Imbalance of this leads to disease like acidity, indigestion, liver and skin disease.

Kapha: It regulates heat, formation of fluids, mucous, etc. Imbalance of this results in joint pain, brain disease, drowsiness, etc.

c) Guna-Rasa-Virya-Vipaka-Prabhava Siddhanta.


These are considered as these  five pharmacological principles/ properties of "Dravya"(drug substance), they are


1.  Rasa (Taste),

2.  Guna (Taste),

3.  Virya (Active principle),

4.  Vipaka (Digestive products),

5.  Prabhava (Pharmaco therapeutic action).


Diagnosis in Ayurveda.


Diseases are diagnosed by

Observation of  Doshas (vata, pitta, kapha)
Observation of skin, eyes, hair. nails and tongue Recording the pulse
Investigation of Mala (urine, stools and sweat)

Treatment

The different treatments in Ayurveda are as follows
Elimination therapy.
Alleviation therapy.
Psychic therapy.
Surgery therapy.
In addition to single drugs, compound formulations are generally used to treat disease in the form of tablets, pills, powders and syrups.
Examples of few Ayurvedic drugs along with their uses.




List of some Ayurvedic drugs and their uses



Branches of treatment in ayurveda

Ayurveda maintains that there is a definite relationship between illness and
the metaphysical state of an individual. Its approach to medical treatment
is to focus on the person rather than the disease.

• (General medicine) Kayachikitsa.
•(Surgery) Salya chikitsa .
•(ENT) Salyakya chikitsa .
•(Pediatrics) Bala ctukitsa .
•(Treatment related to genetics) Jara chikitsa .
•(Treatment with chemicals) Rasayana chikitsa .
•(Treatment related to reproductive organs and aphrodisiacs) Vajikarama chikitsa .
•(Planetary effects) Graham chikitsa 
•(Toxicology) Visha chikitsa .