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Ayurveda

Ayurveda (Sanskrit, m., आयुर्वेद āyurveda: knowledge of life; also spelled Ayurweda) the name of a traditional Indian medicine. Translated literally Ayurveda means wisdom about life. It originates from the Indian Sanskrit and is composed of the words Ayur (life) and Veda (knowledge). It can also be translated as the science of life.

Introduction Nutrition History Literature

Introduction

Ayurveda is a combination of empirical natural science and philosophy, that is focused on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects that are important for human health. Thus Ayurveda takes a holistic approach, since the entire human being is included. The typology of Ayurveda speaks of three central principles, the so-called Doshas:

Vata (wind, air)
Pitta (fire and water)
Kapha (earth and water)

They exist in every organism. Usually one or two Doshas are dominant in an organism. In a healthy person the Doshas should be in a state of harmonious balance. It is important for an aryurvedic physician to know which Doshas are dominant in a patient, because every Dosha requires different treatments and medication.

The goal of ayurvedic medicine is to prevent serious illnesses by trying to understand the root causes of illnesses and stopping unhealthy habits. For this purpose there are numerous treatments that primarily help the body to heal itself. Best known are various oil massages and the Panchakarma, a cleansing and purification program that consists of 5 parts ("Panch" means 5 in Hindi).

Nutrition

Ayurvedic medicine takes a special approach to nutrition. Here the Doshas also play an important role. Thus there are different nutritional recommendations for every Dosha constitution. The following are recommendations that apply to all Dosha constitutions:

only eat when hungry
don't snack in between meals
eat your main meal at noon
never eat when you are emotionally upset
there should be a minimum of 3 hours between meals
don't eat so much that you are completely full
eat fresh foods
drink water (also warm) and herbal tea
every meal should contain all six flavors

Ayurveda considers nutrition to be information for the Doshas. Ideally this information is transformed into Ojas, a non-material fine substance that is also created during positive experiences. Ojas strengthens the body's defense systems and connects body and spirit. A good "digestive fire" (Agni) is prerequisite for the creation of Ojas, however. This is influenced by the quality of the food, among other things. Agni disturbances express themselves through flatulence, a feeling of fullness, heartburn or ravenous appetite. Bad digestion produces Ama, which collects in the Body (Ama could be translated as residues). This has an impact on the metabolism. But "undigested" experiences can also create Ama on an emotional level.

A well balanced nutrition is called "sattvic" in Ayurveda. Cooked milk, rice, ghee, sesame, fruit and desserts are recommended. Meat, fish, eggs, cheese, canned food, frozen food and fat foods should be avoided. Thus ayurvedic nutrition is primarily vegetarian. Alcohol, coffee, carbonated drinks and chocolate should also be avoided.

Furthermore there are special recommendations for the specific Dosha-Types:

Vata people tend toward indigestion and should therefore prefer cooked and easily digested food. The meals should be warm and contain some fat. The recommended tastes are salty, sour and sweet.
Pitta people have a strong "digestive fire"; they can eat warm and cold meals of medium consistency. The recommended tastes are bitter, sweet and tart.
Kapha people should eat medium cooked warm meals and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. The recommended tastes are spicy, bitter and tart.

For children the nutrition of Kapha people is recommended.

(Source: Claus Leitzmann, Alternative Forms of Nutrition, Stuttgart 1999)

History

The exact age of the ayurvedic medical system is unknown and today it is estimated to be at least 3000 to 5000 years old. The mythical figure Dhanvantari is considered to be the founder of Ayurveda according to some writings (e.g. the Srimad Bhagavata Purana).

Signs of medical knowledge dating back as far as the stone age have been found. 2001 Prof. Andrea Cucina of the University of Missouri-Columbia discovered that the ancient Indians of Mehrgarh (located in current Pakistan) already possessed dentistry skills between 9000 and 8000 B.C.. Teeth were found with small holes (about 2.5 mm in diameter) drilled into them, which had probably been filled with herbs or other substances.

The Samhitas (hymn) of Rig Veda mentions the use of medicinal herbs. Within the mythological tales of miracle cures by the Asvins, a pair of twin-gods, who according to legend made blind see and lame walk (I.112.08, I.112.16) a part of the writing (I.116.15) could be interpreted as a reference to the use of artificial legs. Some people see I.34.06 as an early reference to the concept of the so-called three Doshas.

Indian physicians very accurately described the human anatomy as early as the 6. century B.C. (tendons, nerve tissue, muscles, etc.) and had a good understanding of the human digestion and the blood circulation. The first hospitals were founded in Sri Lanka in 427 B.C.. The Buddhist king Ashoka wrote in the 3. century B.C. that hospitals for humans and animals were built and that medicinal plants were imported and cultivated for them.

Literature

Traditional ayurvedic literature:

The Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita together with the Vagbhata Samhita form the core of ayurvedic literature and are standard literature during the training of ayurvedic physicians (vaidyas). They are collected works that contains material from different eras. These works are also called brihat trayi, which means "the great three". They are named after three of the most famous physicians from the Hindu Valley (formerly India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, parts of Afghanistan and Sri Lanka) and belong to the classic period from about 500 B.C. to 1000 A.D.. For the sake of completeness it should be mentioned that besides the "three great" there are the "three small ones", which were written at a much later time (12.–16. century A.D.). They are: Madhava Nidan, Sharangdhara Samhita und Bhava Prakasha.

Susruta Samhita
This book presumably dates from 350 A.D. and goes back to the physician Susruta, who probably lived in the early 6. century B.C.. Susruta described many surgeries and 121 surgery tools. Among the surgeries that he described are star, fracture, lithotomy, caesarian, etc.. Some of the tools he described are probes, pliers, lancets and catheters. He also transplanted skin from other body parts to a damaged ear and developed the rhinoplasty (plastic nose surgery).

Charaka Samhita
The author of this book was Caraka, who according to a Chinese translation of the Tripitaka probably lived during the 2. century A.D. It is supposed to be based on an even older book, the Agnivesha Samhita with 46.000 verses, which does not exist any more.

Ashtanga Hrdayam and Ashtanga Sangraha by Vagbhata (625 A.D.)

Further important works:

Sharngadhara Samhita by Sharngadhara
This book is supposed to date from the 15. century A.D.. It contains pharmaceutical formulas and describes the diagnosis by means of measuring pulse.
Bhava Prakasha
This book dates from the 16. century A.D. and contains 10.268 verses.
Madhava Nidanam
This book is supposed to date from the 7. century A.D..