Samarth Mandani - Ayurveda: From Ancient Practice to Modern Medicine

Project by: Samarth Mandani

Mentor: Smt Dipti Patil

Introduction

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medicine philosophy dating back to 5000 years ago with written records originating throughout the first millennium BCE and is still practiced today. Like many Hindu traditions, Ayurveda spread orally through generations at first but has still retained much of its key components from its origin. It is unique in that it combines spiritual aspects of Hindu culture including ideas from Vedanta with medical science to comprise a field parallel to modern medicine. The modern-day relevance of this field emphasizes how ancient India was far ahead of its time in medicinal knowledge and way of life and indicates the global influence Ayurveda had (and continues to have) upon the origin of many natural healing systems. Across the hundreds and thousands of scriptures and traditions depicting the practice of Ayurveda, the two main pillars which lie at its heart are the Shuśruta Samhitā and the Charaka Samhitā.

Suśruta Samhitā

The Suśruta Samhitā is attributed to Sage Suśruta who is also known as the “Father of Surgery.” According to ancient accounts, it is said Suśruta had learnt medicine and surgery from Divodāsa Dhanvantari, a legendary physician-king and incarnation of the god of Ayurveda. The immense work dates back to the 1st century BCE and contains 186 chapters describing treatments for 1120 illnesses, detailing benefits of 700 medicinal plants, describing 300+ surgical procedures, and illustrating 120+ instruments. The 6 major sections of the book include Sūtra Sthāna (fundamentals), Nidāna Sthāna (Diagnosis), Śarīra Sthāna (Anatomy and Embryology), Cikitsā Sthāna (Therapeutics), Kalpa Sthāna (toxicology), and Uttara Sthāna (Special Therapies). The significance of this Samhitā lies in its groundwork for modern day Ayurvedic branches and pioneering of surgical treatment worldwide. This work influenced not only Indian medicine, but also Islamic and European medicine through various translations and is widely appraised for laying the foundation for modern developments in surgery/treatment. Furthermore, Suśruta aligns with core Ayurvedic philosophy, adopting the Tridosha Theory of Vāta, Pitta, and Kapha to explain health, disease, diagnosis, and treatment and by acknowledging the importance of incorporating preventative health routines into one’s lifestyle.

Charaka Samhitā

The Charaka Samhitā is attributed to Sage Charaka and is a 2nd century CE compilation of Ayurvedic teachings from different schools of thought in ancient India. Although it is also categorized in similar sthānas as Suśruta Samhitā, Charaka Samhitā is primarily concerned with internal medicine unlike the surgical focus of Suśruta Samhitā. The text is more focused upon achieving and maintaining balance between the body, mind, and spirit through management of diet, lifestyle and emotions. Additionally, it is focused upon the Tridosha Theory (Vātta, Pitta, and Kapha) and places importance on Agni (digestive fire). The Charaka Samhitā dives deeper into outlining guidelines for preventative healthcare while also providing natural, herbal treatments for diseases affecting physical and mental state. In this way, it is often seen as one of the earliest texts to systematize pharmacology through listing numerous medicinal plants alongside their properties, actions, and therapeutic uses. The principles and practices outlined in the Charaka Samhitā have influenced traditional medical systems in other parts of the world, including those of ancient China and Persia. The text has contributed greatly to a modern understanding of holistic medicine, and its knowledge still sought today to serve as a philosophical guide towards maintaining a healthy and happy lifestyle.

Background

Core components of Ayurveda build off of Samhitās like the two famous ones covered above. In essence, balance between body, mind, and spirit is key for maintaining health. Disease is seen as nothing other than some sort of imbalance of the three. This is further elaborated in the Tridosha Theory where the 3 doshas (biological energies) of Vata (air + ether), Pitta (fire + water), and Kapha (water + earth) are attributed to bodily balance/imbalances. Each of the doshas are responsible for different aspects of health. Vata governs all movement, including breathing, circulation, and nerve impulses. Its qualities include being dry, light, cold, mobile, and subtle. Common side effects of imbalance are anxiety, constipation, insomnia, and joint issues. Pitta governs digestion, metabolism, and energy production. Its qualities include being hot, sharp, oily, intense, fluid. Common side effects of imbalance are anger, heartburn, inflammation, and ulcers. Lastly, Kapha governs structure, lubrication, and stability. It is heavy, slow, cool, oily, and smooth. Imbalance can commonly lead to lethargy, weight gain, congestion, and depression. According to this Tridosha Theory, it is clear that doshas must be balanced, however, Ayurveda holds that each and every individual possesses a unique combination of the doshas which make up physical, mental, and emotional parts of their personality. Therefore, in Ayurveda it is also essential to distinguish treatment for individuals as different people respond differently to similar remedies. One striking difference between Ayurveda and Western medicine is that Ayurveda most strongly emphasizes disease prevention over cure whereas Western medicines deal primarily with reducing suffering from a disease. This subtle, yet important difference in philosophy is part of the reason why Ayurveda has earned a worldwide reputation since its conception and is still relevant to the modern day and age. By focusing on prevention over cure, Ayurveda cements itself as a permanent lifestyle to maintain lifelong health rather than using it temporarily when needed. Finally, Ayurveda underscores the role of the mental state in physical health. As modern science is just discovering ways in which the mind can affect physical ailments, Ayurveda renders the correlation as a fact and often provides treatment and techniques to treat physical sicknesses mentally as well. One very powerful technique known as “mindful reframing” is a prevalent theme across Ayurveda and showcases how the power of altering worldly thoughts and perspectives to be more positive can truly change one’s health for the better and lead to longevity. Modern science supports this assertion through the discovery of “The Telomere Effect” which also establishes correlation between positive mind and longevity. Overall, the vastness of Ayurveda can be captured through 8 mainstream branches (varying across sources and opinions) which include: Kaaya Chikitsa (internal medicine), Baala Chikitsa (pediatrics), Graha Chikitsa (psychology), Urdhvaanga Chikitsa (injuries above shoulder), Shalya Chikitsa (surgery), Damstra Chikitsa (toxicology), Jara Chikitsa (geriatrics), and Yoga.

Kaaya Chikitsa (Internal Medicine)

Kaaya Chikitsa is the oldest branch of Ayurveda and captures the main essence of the Charaka Samhita, dealing with the majority of common illnesses designed to be treated/prevented by Ayurveda. It serves as an important foundation for other branches of Ayurveda because illness always has some internal medicine component. In terms of diagnosing disease or treating illness, Kaaya Chikitsā is typically the first branch of Ayurveda applied before others are discussed. This branch maintains modern relevance due to its ability to address common lifestyle and chronic diseases in today’s world like diabetes, hypertension, and stress.

Baala Chikitsa (Pediatrics)

This branch is also one of the oldest branches of Ayurveda and focuses almost exclusively on infant and child healthcare. Pediatric Medicine and gynecology/prenatal care are the two areas it deals with. Baala Chikitsa finds its roots in the Kashyapa Samhitā written by Sage Kashyapa around 2nd century CE. Relative to other Ayurvedic branches, Baala Chikitsa can be classified as highly specialized due to its narrower scope. It stresses early immunity building, nutrition, and mental/emotional development as well to ensure lifelong wellness for younger children. Baala Chikitsa retains modern relevance with its scientific approach to outlining development guidelines for growing children.

Graha Chikitsa (Psychology)

Graha Chikitsa focuses on diagnosis and treatment of mental, emotional, or behavioral disturbances believed to be caused by evil spirits and supernatural influences. Traditional beliefs underscore the role of grahas or bhutas for the manifestation of strange behavior, fear, hallucinations, or depression in young children. Outlined in both the Charaka and Sushruta Samhitās, the Graha Chikitsa contains a ton of information regarding treatment such as mantras, herbal medicines, pujas, japa, charity, astrology, and yoga/meditation. Although modern science disagrees with theories of evil spirit-like activity, methods of Graha Chikitsa still remain very effective in quieting the mind in cases of anxiety, depression, or psychosis. This important fact exemplifies the remarkable reasons behind why the essence of Ayurveda has been successful in enduring the test of time.

Urdhvaanaga Chikitsa (Head/neck injuries)

Also known as Shalakya Tantra, Urdhvaanaga Chikitsā focuses on treatment of ailments involving the eyes, ears, nose, throat, oral cavity, and/or head and scalp. Because this is a very broad focus, this branch prescribes procedures and treatment in various sub branches as follows: Netra Roga Vigyana (ophthalmology), Karna Roga Vigyana (Otology), Nasa Roga Vigyana (Rhinology), and Mukha Roga Vigyana (Oral/Dental Care). Diagnosis often involves darshana (inspection), sparshana (touch), prashna (questioning), and use of shalakas (specialized instruments). Treatment approach varies from herbal drops for eyes and nose, surgery as necessary, and application of oils. Urdhvaanaga Chikitsa is significant for being the first known system of ophthalmology and fundamental integration of surgical and non-surgical techniques. It continues to retain modern relevance for the success of its herbal treatments and preventative healthcare measures.

Shalya Chikitsa (Surgery)

Shalya Chikitsa focuses on conditions requiring surgical treatments and measures. Although Ayurveda advocates for preventative healthcare, Shalya Chikitsā is almost exclusively treatment based and usually only comes into the picture when preventative methods like kaayachikitsa fail. This is also the primary focus and essence of the Sushrut Samhitā and deals primarily with the removal of foreign bodies, treatment of wounds, abscesses, ulcers, fractures and dislocations, tumors, hemorrhoids, etc. According to texts (Sushrut Samhitā), four types of Shalya (foreign bodies) which cause injuries requiring surgery are as follows: Bahya Shalya (external), Abhyantara Shalya (internal), Agantuja Shalya (Traumatic), Doshaja Shalya (Internal imbalances). The early conception of this branch was remarkably advanced for its time as Shalya Chikitsā is widely considered to be the global pioneer of effective surgeries. The overall principles of Shalya Chikitsā align with modern day surgical practice and ayurvedic colleges in India continue to teach Ayurvedic surgical training.

Damstra Chikitsa (Toxicology)

This branch of Ayurveda deals with treatment of poisons and toxins (mainly from venomous stings/bites from animals and harmful food). Damstra Chikitsā classifies poison as Jangama Visha (animal origin), Sthavara Visha (plant or mineral origin), Krtrima Visha (artificial/man made poison). Treatment usually consists of herbal antidotes and detoxification formulas, purgation methods such as vomiting, nasal therapy, bloodletting, application of pastes/oils, and mantras/spiritual therapies. This branch would be considered more relevant in ancient times as there was more contact with wild animals. In today’s world, Damstra Chikitsā is useful in developing preventative care measures to exposure to poisons and offers insight into environmental medicine, allergy care, and drug toxicity management.

Jara Chikitsa (Geriatrics)

Jara Chikitsā is the Ayurvedic science of healthy aging and rejuvenation and also goes by Rasaayana Tantra. This branch works well to delay aging and age related degeneration. In this aspect, it is classified as more preventative healthcare versus direct treatment although it includes elements of both. Jara Chikitsā varies from person to person and can involve therapies such as herbs/formulations, panchakarma (detoxification method of body/mind), dietary regulation/daily routine, yoga, pranayama, and meditation. Practitioners can enjoy delayed aging/degeneration, enhanced vitality, memory, strength, improved immune function, mental clarity, and emotional balance. This branch is one of the most significant aspects of Ayurveda as it is seen as the ultimate preventive care system one can practice for their wellbeing. This practice is especially relevant today as there is an ever-increasing number of people who seek to pursue “anti-aging” therapies. Modern science itself supports the same correlations Jara Chikitsā promises with improved mental state and lifestyle and longevity with new research being conducted with telomeres and biological clocks/age. Encapsulating the core of Ayurvedic teachings, Jara Chikitsā continues to spread its knowledge outside India increasingly every day.

Yoga

Although not being an explicit branch of Ayurveda by most accounts, yoga is essentially the foundation for most Ayurvedic theories and practices. Rooted in Ancient India over 5000 years ago, Yoga itself is a deep and comprehensive science as well as a staple of the Hindu culture. Side by side with Ayurveda, Yoga has also endured the test of time as its influence and practice only grows with each coming day. It appears in famous scriptures such as the Vedas, Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita alongside other spiritual texts. Aside from spiritual significance, yoga also promises to improve flexibility, strength, balance, cardiovascular/respiratory health, detoxification, digestion, stress, anxiety, depression, concentration, emotional balance, relaxation, sleep, and self-awareness. Yoga works to supplement Ayurvedic healing through its abilities to calm the mind, aid digestion, improve circulation, and balance the doshas of the body. In the modern day, yoga continues to be practiced worldwide and has gained a prominent reputation in the west.

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