Ayurveda

It is now acknowledged universally that Ayurveda, the oldest system of medicine in the world, can compete with modern systems of medicine. In the past few years there has been a surge in the demand for alternative and complementary medicines. Ayurveda has now gained a growing recognition. It is now emerging as a complete mind and body health care system in the world to day.
What makes Ayurveda different from other systems of medicine?
? Ancient though it may be, Ayurveda is a comphrensive system of medicine which deals with practically the entire range of diseases and ailments. It can treat common, chronic and rare diseases.
? Ayurveda is not limited to just taking care of a particular disease (though it can do this quite well); it offers a holistic treatment based on individualized food regimen and potent herbal medicines, in addition to which it prescribes life – style changes, yoga and spiritual meditation. It employs all methods of healing – Therapies based on purification regime, herbs, massages, diet, yoga, exercise, meditation, astrology, gems etc.
? It has a codified system based on strong theoretical foundations. Its contents cover eight broad areas – Kaya cikitsa (General medicine), Bala cikitsa (Paediatrics), Grha cikitsa (Psychiatry) Urdhvanga cikitsa (Ear, nose, throat and eye), Salya cikitsa (surgery) Damstra cikitsa (Toxicology), Jara cikitsa (Rejuvenation therapy) and Vajikarna cikitsa (Virility therapy).
? It concerns itself with not only curing the body, but the mind also. It takes up disease prevention, promotion and preservation of health, improving longevity and rejuvention of tired body and mind. It is just not a ‘herbal’ or a decadent system of medicine.

Such a gigantic medical knowledge system like Ayurveda, certainly would have influenced the other medical systems, then existing or subsequently formed.
1. Greek system of medicine:- Greek and subsequent Roman civilisation influenced the culture of Europe to a very large extent. Hippocrates; the ancient Greek physician is considered as the father of Modern Allopathic medicine. His book of medicine has several similarities with ‘Caraka Samhita’ the ancient Ayurvedic text. The tri – dosha theory, the theory that diseases are caused by vitiation of doshas, pitta is the cause for tooth problems, diseases vary in intensity according to seasons, are some of the 36 similarities seen between the Greek treatise and Ayurvedic treatises.
2. Iran:- The ancient text of Iran, ‘Zendavesta’ has a chapter on medicine where in the herb ‘soma’ is described. This and other mentions of herbal use are similar to Ayurveda. The Egyptians learnt about ayurveda long before the invasion of Alexander in the 4th centuary B.C through their sea – trade with India. The Unani form of medical tradition came out of this interaction. In 800 A.D. Ayurveda was translated into Arabic. The two Islamic physicians Aricenna and Razi serapion, who helped to form the European tradition of medicine were great followers of ayurveda.
3. China: China has as old a culture as India has. Lots of similarities have been found between Ayurveda texts and ancient chinese medical treatises.
4. Tibet: The Tibetan ‘swa – Rigpa’ System of medicine is actually part of Ayurveda.
5. It is well known that Siddha & Unani systems are vastly influenced by Ayurveda.