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Ayurveda, the scientific way of life and the portion of old Indian knowledge, is a definitive craft of all-inclusive pharmaceutical and medicinal understandings.
Common origin of the universe and human being The universe includes human beings, animals and plants, and is made up of the Pancha Maha Bhootha (five great elements) - Apo, Thejo, Vayo, Pruthuvia and Akasha. The human body is also made of these five elements. Accordingly, the elements in the universe and the elements in the human body reveal a common origin. These common factors create a harmony between man and the universe and there is a co-relation between the universe and the human body. In the external universe there are three main causative factors - the sun, moon, and wind. In the human body there are three constituent elements - Vatha, Pitha and Kapha. There are similarities between these causative factors.
Pitha controls the metabolic functions inside the body. The sun is the energy of conversion and is represented by fire: when anything comes in contact with heat it changes its appearance. Pitha Dosha inside the human body is said to have this conversion power.
Kapha is the force of attraction and helps to prevent the disintegration of the human body. It has adhesive power and is responsible for the formation and maintenance of the body and regulates its temperature. The moon is responsible for cooling and regulating the temperature around the universe.
Vatha is the moving power or principle of movement in the human body. In the external universe the wind is the principle of the movement: but Vatha should not be compared with the wind, as it is a kind of energy, which is an internal force.
Just as much as the sun, the moon, and the wind have achieved a sense of balance to maintain the universe, Vatha, Pitha and Kapha have to be in correct balance to maintain the human body and well being of the human body.
To understand Ayurveda it is necessary to have some idea about the following fundamental principles.
![Dhanvantari Dhanvantari](/uploads/1/2/7/6/127660767/178504940.png)
- The common origin of universe and man
- The Pancha Maha Bhootha theory
- Tri Dosha
- Prakurthi
- Dosha , Dhatu , and Mala
- Agni and Ama
The common origin of the universe and man
As universe and man have a common origin the activities in the universe also takes place inside the human being. In the same way that the Sun, Moon, and Wind maintain the world, Vatha, Pitha and Kapha sustains the body.
The Pancha Maha Bhootha - Theory
According to Ayurveda, the whole universe and the human body are made up of five elements
- Apo - water
- Thejo - fire
- Vayo - air
- Pruthuvi - earth
- Akasha - space / ether
Tri Dosha
Every human being is made up of the 3 Dosha, namely Vatha, Pitha and Kapha. Tri Doshas are the main active forces in our body. They regulate all function of the organs in the body. The construction of our body, its maintenance and disintegration are mainly due to these Tri Dosha. When Vatha, Pitha, Kapha are in a state of equilibrium a human being will have a healthy state of body. An imbalance of the Tri Dosha may lead to diseases.
Prakurti
In the Sanskrit language, the individual constitution of each person is called 'Prakurthi' The meaning of Prakurthi is 'nature' or 'the original form' ('the first creation') every person acquires his own Prakurthi at the time of conception. When the sperm and the ovum unite inside the uterus, the predominant Dosha produce specific characteristics/ features. This Prakurthi remains constant throughout the person's life. The predominant Dosha of a person is today commonly referred to as 'body type'
When we consider different individuals and their dietary requirements, their behavior and tolerance to the environment, we find that they have different needs to survive as healthy individuals. Even two people of the same age, weight, and height may have different needs and tolerance to different types and amounts of food, drink and activity. So it is clear that tolerance to food, environment, behavior, mental and physical activity etc. depends on the constitution of the person. For examples if an excess of Vatha is present in an individual, his constitution will be Vatha. In the same way Pitha dominance leads to Pitha constitution. Prakurthi usually represents the disease proneness of the person. For example, Kappa Prakurthi people tend to suffer from Kapha diseases like obesity, or colds.
The correct determination of a person's prakurthi requires a careful examination by a specialist. The prakruti or body type has a strong influence in the determining of Ayurveda Treatment.
Dhatu and Mala
Dhatu is a Sanskrit term for tissues. The human body consists of seven basic tissues known as 'Saptha Dhatu'. Usually Dhatu gives support to the body or sustains it. When these Dhatu are defective they affect the maintenance and nutrition of the body and lead to diseases.
Mala is a term for waste products. The human body produces three main waste products that i.e. stools, urine and sweat. It is important that these waste products are expelled from the body regularly, or else they collect as toxins.
Agni and Ama
The other important principle governing the basic physiology of Ayurveda is Agni. Ayurveda believes that any disturbance in digestion and metabolism leads to the formation of toxins (Ama), which give rise to diseases. Agni governs this disturbance of digestion and metabolism.
When there is an imbalance of the Tri Dosha or Saptha Dhatu or Agni, the disease process begins. The balanced state of the things mentioned above is responsible for the natural immunity of the person.
Ayurveda Treatments
There are two aspects to Ayurveda Treatment.
Curing of diseases
Prevention of diseases
Shamana Chikithsa (Curing of diseases)
manages the symptoms of the disease and treats the cause of the disease with the help of various Ayurveda medicine and therapies. In Ayurveda there are thousands of medicines consisting of herbs, minerals, and biological products, which are used singly or jointly to suppress and cure diseases, particularly when the disease is at an early stage.
Shodana chikithsa (Prevention of diseases)
is one the most important and advanced techniques in Ayurveda and is an internal purification process. Purification can be used to cure diseases and at the same time to promote the healthy state of the body. It is thus a unique science. It is possible to successfully cure a number of difficult diseases like Arthritis, Paralysis etc with the help of Shodana Chikithsa.
Shodana chikitsa removes the Ama and Mala (toxins) from the body and restores the balance of the Doshas. Shodana Chikitsa consists of a three-stage purification process as follows:
Purva Karma - preparatory purification prior to the main purification
Pradhana Karma - the main five purification methods (known as Panchakarma treatment)
Paschath Karma - post rejuvenation therapy.
Ayurveda is considered as one of the oldest of the traditional systems of medicine (TSMs) accepted worldwide. The ancient wisdom in this traditional system of medicine is still not exhaustively explored. The junction of the rich knowledge from different traditional systems of medicine can lead to new avenues in herbal drug discovery process. The lack of the understanding of the differences and similarities between the theoretical doctrines of these systems is the major hurdle towards their convergence apart from the other impediments in the discovery of plant based medicines. This review aims to bring into limelight the age old history and the basic principles of Ayurveda.
This would help the budding scholars, researchers and practitioners gain deeper perspicuity of traditional systems of medicine, facilitate strengthening of the commonalities and overcome the challenges towards their global acceptance and harmonization of such medicinal systems. 1. IntroductionAyurveda is one of the most renowned traditional systems of medicine that has survived and flourished from ages till date. With the enormous knowledge of nature based medicine, the relationship of human body constitution and function to nature and the elements of the universe that act in coordination and affect the living beings, this system will continue to flourish in ages still to come. There are many avenues still to be explored by the researchers, practitioners and experts in the field who carry the responsibility of keeping the traditional systems of medicine (TSMs) alive and contributing to their growth in the future. However, due to many barriers such as lack of literature sources in different languages and insufficiency of awareness about the basic principles and histories of the systems from different ethnic origins, there is a lacuna of exchange of information from systems around the globe. Knowledge of systems from different ethnic origins would bring about interchange of knowledge and increase the understanding of different systems, and this can ultimately contribute to integration and advancement of herbal drug research when accompanied by collaborative work of researchers from different countries.
These futuristic goals can be accomplished when one gains insights about the systems, the principles and histories and works upon the strengthening aspects common between the various TSMs. In this review, we have made an attempt to put forth the basic principles of doctrine and history of Ayurveda to contribute to the above said perspectives.To date, there have been several reviews detailing Ayurveda. However, very few reviews detail the modalities of the basic principles and history of Ayurveda. Through this review the authors wish to provide the readers an understanding of the age old history and the basic principles of Ayurveda. 4. Allied systems of medicine in Ayurveda – a brief overviewIndia has a rich history of traditional system of medicine based upon six systems, out of which Ayurveda stands to be the most ancient, most widely accepted, practiced and flourished indigenous system of medicine. The other allied systems of medicine in India are Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Yoga and Naturopathy. Ayurveda is the most dominant system amongst the other Indian systems of medicine and finds its prevalence globally since centuries.
In this paper, we have restricted the detailed discussion of various aspects of Indian systems of Medicine (ISM) to Ayurveda alone, and only a comprehensive overview of the other systems is provided in the text. After Ayurveda, the Siddha, Homeopathy and Unani system of medicine are widely used.
Naturopathy is still developing and in future it may emerge as a flourished system of medicine. Yoga, is a system of allied medicine that deals with physical, mental and spiritual state of an individual.The Siddha system of medicine is based upon the principle similar to Ayurveda considering that the human body is constituted from the five elements of the Universe like the pancha mahabhootas.
Along with these elements Siddha system considers that the physical, moral and physiological well-being of an individual is governed by 96 factors. These 96 factors include perception, speech, diagnosis of pulse etc.
Perception is commonly used determinant for treatment of psychosomatic system with the help of minerals, metals and to a lesser extent some plant products. Siddha system uses many preparations of plant and mineral origin in powder form, prepared through various procedures including calcinations.Unani system of medicine originated in Greece and was introduced by Hippocrates; a famous philosopher and physician during the 460–366 BC period.
Hippocrates laid down the “humoral theory” for treatment of diseases and describes the wet and dry characteristic of each humor that constitutes the human body. This system of medicine was introduced in India by the Arabs and it grew stronger when some scholars and physicians of Unani system fled to India after invasion of Persia by the Mongols. Since then, this system of medicine has made a firm footing in India and is recognized by the Indian government for clinical practice and research funding.
The plants based formulations like oils, tinctures, powders and ointments are used in treatment.Homeopathy was brought into practice by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, who was a German physician in the mid-17th and 18th century. Homeopathy is based upon the laws of “immunological memory” and “memory of water” and the similarities in the pharmacological aspects of the drug and the disease.
It utilizes medicines which produce symptoms similar to that of the disease for treatment of the pathological condition initially by producing or aggravating the pathological conditions and then treating it. For more than a century this system is been practiced in India and has formed an integral part of the Indian traditional system of medicine. It is recognized by the government of India and there are various institutions, research centers and regulatory bodies that help propagation of this system. In homeopathy the mother tinctures or aqueous extracts of the drugs (plants, animal origin substances, venoms and minerals) are diluted and succussed (specific method of mixing or shaking) as per Pharmacopeial methods to prepare the formulations of very low potencies.Yoga originated in India in ancient times. Through its therapies and diagnosis based on pulse and analysis of Tridosha state of an individual, it suggests meditative exercises and life style management to obtain tranquility and improve health., The Asanas (postures) of Yoga are applied in various clinical and nonclinical conditions for curing various physical and emotional conditions.Naturopathy, also termed as naturopathic medicine originated in Germany in the 19th century and today it is practiced in several countries. It is not an ancient system of medicine but some practitioners who practice traditional medicine sometimes use Naturopathy in combination to the major system.
The Naturopathic system is based upon using the curative power of nature in combination with the traditional and modern techniques to help restore good health. Homeopathy, herbal formulations, hydrotherapy are some of the treatment methods used by this system. 5. Current status of Ayurveda and perspectives for its future applicationsIn the recent decades, Ayurveda has experienced a considerable shift in its paradigm and a significant change in the outlook of researchers, towards its applications has occurred.
The therapeutic principles of Ayurveda focus on prakriti and tridoshas, and these principles explain that every individual has his unique constitution called as prakriti. Prakriti determines the characteristic response of each individual to medications, environmental conditions and dietary factors.
‘Ayurgenomics’ a recently introduced research field, bridges this gap between genomics and Ayurveda and serves as an aid in understanding of inter-individual differences in responses to therapies in various diseases. It especially emphasizes on studying inter-individual variances in patients from identical ethnic backgrounds. TSMs are now been looked upon for recourse to some limitations faced by western medicine, such as the need for individualized therapies, potential side effects and lack of desired therapeutic efficacy.Rotti et al, have published several studies correlating the concept of prakriti in Ayurveda to present-day science. A report indicating the correlation of dominant prakriti with the Body Mass Index (BMI) and place of birth in individuals was published. Studies involving subjects of various prakriti types viz. Vata, Pitta and Kapha, were carried out to identify molecular differences that affect susceptibility and responses of individuals to various environmental or disease conditions.
A classification method for human population, with respect to DNA methylation signatures is reported based upon traditional Ayurveda concept of prakriti. In a study involving genome-wide SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) in 262 male individuals from three different prakritis, it was found that PGM1 gene is associated with energy production.
PGM1 was found to be more homogeneous in Pitta prakriti, than the Kapha and Vata prakriti.An integration of the knowledge of modern analytical techniques with a broader perspective for applications of Ayurveda principles can help in its wider acceptance globally. There is an increasing need of proving and fostering the scientific basis of the principles of Ayurveda, to keep this age old valuable system of medicine, as a living tradition in future. 6. SummaryAyurveda has a rich history; however there were certain drawbacks in approaches towards it, which inhibited its growth like the western system of medicine. The active components of the herbal drugs prescribed were not known, and even today many drugs still need further exploration for their active constituent characterization and elucidation of the mechanism of action. Even after decades of applying advanced analytical techniques for drug analysis, herbal drugs still face some drawbacks.
The administration of combinations of several drugs adds to the complexity of study of the activity of these medications. A merit of traditional medicine systems as discussed earlier is that, they consider every individual as the prime focus of treatment rather than the disease. But this factor also possesses a hurdle to the applicability of medications on a general population basis. Several issues like, the variation in the potency due to difference in species, absence of an integrated coding for every species used commonly in TSMs, varying geographical location of growth, and incorrect identification and adulteration of drugs, non-uniform quality control standards, differences in processing methods, direct an alarming need towards comparative study of drugs used in both these system of medicine.
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