Ayu means ‘life’ and Veda means the ‘knowledge’. Ayurveda is the knowledge of life.  Kerala can claim as the birth place of AYURVEDA.

Ayurveda is the holistic science which has its origin from the Lord of Creation ‘Brahma’.

Ayurveda is said to be originated from ‘Brahma’ – the God of Srishti. He transmitted this knowledge to ‘Prajapathi’. Aswani Kumaras who received this knowledge from Prajapathi,and  advised ‘Indra’ (the king of Gods) who in turn established the School of Medicines (Bharadwaja & Athreya) and school of Surgery (Dhanwandari). Eminent scholars like Charaka, Susrutha, Vagbhata, Madhava, Sarangadhara, Bhavamisra and Kashyapa have inscribed their knowledge on ‘Thali Ola grandhams’. These are the classical Texts of Ayurveda.

Charaka (1000 BC):The principal exponent of Medical System called Kaya Chikitsa (Internal Medicine) is the Author of one of the most important Texts of Ayurveda namely Charaka Samhitha – containing eight sections and 120 chapters.

Susrutha (600 BC):In his text – Susrutha Samhitha – containing six sections and 186 chapters, Susrutha the foremost disciple of Dhanwanthary and father of Surgery – describes Eye diseases, Surgeries and Surgical instruments.

Vagbhata (500-600 AD):He has Authored two books ‘Astanga Sangraha’ which contain 6 sections and 150 chapters and Astanga Hridaya – which contains 6 sections and 120 chapters – which are considered to be the best books to know the fundamentals of Ayurveda. He also has one more Text Book named Rasa Ratna Samuchaya (a text on Alchemy)

Madhava (700-1100 AD):Madhava has also Authored a book on Pathology and Clinical Observations called ‘Madhava Nidana’ or ‘Rug Vinischaya’ which contains 73 chapters.

Sarngadhara (1400 ad):Sarngadhara has written a book on Pharmacology which mainly describes Pulse Examination, Pancharama, Herb collection, Preparation of Medicines and the shelf life. The book is called ‘Sarngadhara Samhita’. It contains 32 chapters.

Bhavamisra (1500 ad):Bhavaprakasa is a Book written by Bhavamisra which describes both Native and Foreign diseases (diseases that were introduced to this country through trade with foreigners) like Small Pox, Urinary Disorders resembling diabetes, Somaroga, Syphilis – Phirangam. This book also describes medicines such as Smilax China (Madhusnuhi). He has also written Materia Medica of Ayurveda and a glossary of medicinal herbs.

Kasyapa (1000 BC):Kasyapa is an early Medical Authority cited even by Charaka. His book named ‘Kasyapa Samhita’ is similar to ‘Charaka Samhita’ with a supplementary section giving detailed descriptions about Paediatrics including Rickets. This book is also known as ‘Vruddha Jivaka Tantram’.  Many of the chapters of this book are not available.

General Medicine – (Kayachikitsa):This is a branch of ayurveda dealing with the treatment of the ailments affecting the whole body. All the other seven branches are incorporated under this branch.

Paediatrics – (Kaumarabrityam / Balachikitsa):This is a branch of ayurveda dealing with the health and ailments especially in children.

Psychology – (grahachikitsa)This is a branch of Ayurveda dealing with the Psychological Health and Ailments, especially (apasmara & unmada)

ENT & ophthalmology – (Salakya Tantra / Urdhwanga Chikitsa):This is a branch of Ayurveda dealing with the diseases effecting the Head and ‘Indriyas’

Surgery & Orthopaedics – (Salya Tantra):This is a branch of Ayurveda dealing with ailments which may require Surgical Treatments

Toxicology – (Agata Tantra / Damshtra):This is a branch of Ayurveda dealing with the treatment of Organic and Inorganic Poisons and diseases effecting the skin Geriatrics & Rejuvenation- (Jara Chikitsa)

Rasayanachikitsa : It is the branch of Ayurveda which promotes General Health, Intellect, Memory power, Body strength etc. it also deals with the curation of various diseases.

These are those which are necessarily known for the better knowledge of human body, mind and soul.  The main principles include Panchamahabhutha Theory, Tridosha Theory and Triguna Theory.  The

Inter-relationship among  the above three is also to be very well known.

Charyas (Lifestyle & Routines).This include Dinacharya and Ritucharya

Avoid dasavidha papas – cruelty to other living beings, stealing, unlawful sex, back biting, telling lies, hard speech, hatred, jealousy, misunderstanding and faithlessness in god. Take easily digestible food in the evening and sleep well. Recollect the events happened in the day; thank god and nature for caring you. Never suppress the urges of flatus, faeces, urine, thirst, hunger, sleep, vomiting, cough etc.

One should adopt with what is the best for the life, always keep in mind the fear of death.

Uttarayana constitutes the first three ritus namely:  Sisira, Vasanta & Greeshma. Bitter, Pungent, Astringent tastes are dominant in the soil,  strength will be less for persons as well as herbs

Dakshinayan constitutes the last three ritus namely: Varsha, Sarat and Hemanta. Sweet. Sour and salt tastes are dominant in the soil,  strength will be more compared to uttarayana.

a)         Sisira & Hemanta (Winter)      Weather will be cold and humid.  Health will be more; digestive power will be strong, nights are long and so the person will get appetite in the early morning.

Sweet, sour, oily foods, meat, wheat, milk, ghee, black gram etc. to be used during this ritu.  Do oil massage and powder massages. Do strong exercises, induce

perspiration with warm clothes and live in a warm place, avoid excess sleep. Sex is advised in this period.

b)         Vasanta (Spring)                     During this period aggravation of Kapha occurs which produces indigestion and digestive disorders. Eat dry light food, barley, wheat, honey, dry meat, mango juice

mixed  with sugar ginger and water.  Use bitter, pungent, and astringent taste. Diluted wine can be taken. Do vomiting, nasya, fumigation and gargling.  Exercise is a

must.  Sex is advised once in three days.  Avoid day sleep, heavy food, cold food, excess sweet, sour fruits and oils.

c)         Greeshma (Summer)             In this period there will be loss of kapha and accumulation of vata. Eat light, oily, cool, sweet food with lot of fluids. Drink buffalo’s milk with jaggery. Sweetened fruit

juices,  rice flakes, meat of jungle animals, milk, ghee, grapes, coconut water, and corn flour are good. Do minimal exercises. Sleeping during day is indicated. Avoid

excess salt,  sour and spicy food and alcohol. Sex is advised once in 15 days. Frequent bath in cold water is advised.

d)         Varsha (Rainy season)           During this season, vata gets aggravated, disturbances of agni is prominent, strength will be less, so digestives and carminatives must be used.  Oily, hot, sweet,

sour, salty,  food is advised. Boiled water meat soups, honey are to be in-taken. Eat barley, wheat, soup and pulses.  Spicy, bitter and astringent food must be

avoided.  Butter milk, day sleep, sex and exertion are also to be avoided.

e)         Sarat (Autumn)                       During this period there will be aggravation of pitta.  Eat sweet, bitter, astringent, cold food.  Take medicated ghee. Do dry purgation and blood letting. Use rice,

green gram,  jaggery, grapes, and goose berry, honey and jungle meats. Avoid pungent, sour, salty food, curd, oils and alcoholic drinks.

Dhatus denote the structural components of the body. Dhadus can also be co-related as body anatomy. There are seven dhadus.

1. Rasa – Plasma
2. Raktha – Blood
3. Mamsa – Muscle
4. Medhas – Fat
5. Asti – Bone and Cartilage
6. Majja – Bone Marrow
7. Sukra – Reproductive Fluids.

Malas

These are the waste products formed after the processing of ahara rasa. The waste products get converted into faeces, urine and sweat. Other waste products are also formed during the conversion of one dhatu to other.

Panchabhuthas

According to ayurveda, every substance in the universe is made up of panchamahabhutas, aakasa, vayu, Agni / thejus, aapa and prithvi. (Five great elements namely, space, air, fire, water and earth). Earth forms the substance, water it’s origin and other three elements are its parts. the quality of a substance depends on the element pre-dominant in it.

Srotas

Srotas and dhatus are closely inter-related. These are the path of dhatus. These are the places where doshas accumulate and give way to the formation of diseases.

Tridoshas

Tridoshas are three doshas which are present all over the body.  These are vata, pitta & kapha.  Each dosha dominate a specific region though they have their presence all over. Vata below the navel, pitta in the mid-region and kapha in the chest and head.  Likewise, vata, pitta and kapha predominate during last, middle and first periods of life, day, night and early morning respectively.

Trigunas

Trigunas are the three mental qualities of a human being.  gunas denote the three attributes of nature. They are: satwa – clarity / intelligence, rajas – activity / energy, tamas – obstruction / mass in man, the three gunas tamas , rajas and satwa express themselves as ignorance, activity and wisdom respectively.

Medicines:

Arishtams

Asavams

Choornam

Ghritham

Gulika

Kashayam

Kuzhampu

Lehyam

Rasayana

Thailam