Ayurvedic medicine originated in ancient India and has roots that date back thousands of years. The term "Ayurveda" is derived from the Sanskrit words "Ayur," meaning life, and "Veda," meaning knowledge or science. Therefore, Ayurveda translates to the "science of life" or the "knowledge of life."
The origins of Ayurveda can be traced to the ancient Indian scriptures known as the Vedas, particularly the Atharvaveda. The Atharvaveda, which is believed to have been composed around 1500 BCE, contains hymns and verses that describe various aspects of healthcare, diseases, and natural remedies. Ayurveda is considered one of the Upavedas, supplementary texts associated with the Atharvaveda.
The foundational principles of Ayurveda are expounded in two primary classical texts:
Charaka Samhita: Attributed to the ancient sage Charaka, the Charaka Samhita is a comprehensive compilation of medical knowledge. It covers a wide range of topics, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, and treatments. Charaka Samhita is often referred to as the "Charaka's Compendium."
Sushruta Samhita: Attributed to the sage Sushruta, the Sushruta Samhita focuses on the field of surgery and is regarded as an important treatise on ancient Indian medicine. Sushruta is often considered the "Father of Surgery" for his contributions to surgical techniques and practices.
Ayurveda is founded on the concept of maintaining a balance between the three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—which represent different combinations of the five elements (earth, water, fire, air, and ether) present in the human body. Imbalances in these doshas are believed to lead to illness, and Ayurvedic treatments aim to restore balance and harmony to promote overall well-being.
Over the centuries, Ayurveda has evolved and adapted, incorporating influences from various regions and cultures. While its ancient roots remain, Ayurvedic principles continue to be applied in modern healthcare, wellness practices, and alternative medicine in many parts of the world. However, it's essential to approach Ayurvedic treatments with caution and under the guidance of qualified practitioners, as individual responses can vary, and safety is a primary concern.
As used in Ayurvedic medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the techniques of pulse diagnosis have been developed over thousands of years, as these two systems of medicine are the world's oldest.
California Association of Ayurvedic Medicine was created in 2000.
Govindasena has written: 'Vaidyakaparibhasapradipah' -- subject(s): Ayurvedic Medicine, Medicine, Ayurvedic
Vrinda has written: 'Vrindamadhavaparanamasiddhayogah' -- subject(s): Ayurvedic Medicine, Medicine, Ayurvedic
Govindadasa has written: 'Bhaisajyaratnavali' -- subject(s): Ayurvedic Medicine, Medicine, Ayurvedic
Kanjiv Lochan has written: 'Dictionary of Ayurveda' 'Encyclopedic dictionary of ayurveda' -- subject- s -: Dictionaries, Ayurvedic Medicine 'Illustrations on Ayurvedic surgery and pharmaceutics' -- subject- s -: History, Pharmaceuticals, Surgery, Medicine, Ayurvedic, Ayurvedic Medicine
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R. H. Singh has written: 'The holistic principles of Ayurvedic medicine' -- subject(s): Ayurvedic Medicine, Holistic medicine
son of Simhagupta Vagbhata has written: 'Astangasangrahah' -- subject(s): Ayurvedic Medicine, Medicine, Ayurvedic
Sunil V. Joshi has written: 'Ayurveda and Panchakarma' -- subject(s): Ayurvedic Medicine, Medicine, Ayurvedic
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Maya Tiwari has written: 'The Path of Practice' -- subject(s): Ayurvedic Medicine, Medicine, Ayurvedic 'Women's Power to Heal'