In my practice as Ayurveda doctor, I have found myself time and again providing proper counselling and clearing myths and misconceptions relating to Ayurvedic mode of treatment. This seems to be lesser known fact that Ayurveda, which is Ancient Indian healing wisdom, is well versed with its own modalities of Diagnosis and is also widely researched under eight separate departments of Ayurveda Studies and Ayurveda treatment.

Ayurveda Is Holistic Therapy

Three points could introduce a well as distinguish this mode of treatment.

1.  Firstly, In Ayurveda the very first principle in treating a disease is to do away with the basic cause of the disease, and also no new ailment should emerge as a consequence. A disease is eradicated from its roots.

2. Second, Ayurveda insists that medicine be centered at the patient, rather on the disease. The mind, body and soul are considered as a tripod and the entire word is sustained by their combination.

3. Thirdly, as Ayurveda deals with the preparations only from herbs and natural resources, it is basically harmless therapeutic pathy with least or no side effects. And precisely, this is the demand of our times.

The importance of Ayurveda can be acknowledged by the mere fact that a whole Veda has been dedicated to it. Ayurveda is the heritage of our country. It is a treasure yet to be explored and supplemented so as to provide every individual a life full of health, vigor and vitality. ‘Ayurveda’ is a combination of two words, where ‘Ayush’ denotes life and ‘Veda’ depicts the science. Thus Ayurveda is ‘The Science of Life’.

Ayurveda – The Ancient Science Of Healing

Ayurveda Healing is regarded as Sukha Chikitsa which means that this is the pure treatment that the science of Ayurveda has to offer in process of which no other ailment is formed. Ayurveda is a holistic treatment science which incorporates precise methodologies and therapies which target the overall wellness and longevity of an individual. This complete ancient wisdom works in proximity with other alternate therapies like yoga, meditation and Naturopathy. Clinically, Ayurveda therapy has eight branches or departments.

Eight Departments Of Ayurvedic Treatment

• Kaya Chikitsa – This is the Medicine department. Herein, the doctors deal with providing therapeutic medicinal cure to a patient who is suffering from an ailment like fever, jaundice, diabetes, epilepsy etc.

• Bala Roga Chikitsa – This is Pediatrics wing and this takes care of small children providing them comprehensive care. Another Ayurveda synonym for this department is Kumarya Bhritaya.

• Bhoota Vidya or Graha – This portrays the science of demonic seizures psychology and deals mainly in treating mental ailments.

• Shalakya Chikitsa – The section deals with patients suffering from diseases specific to the head and neck region viz. ear, nose, throat, mouth and throat.

• Shalya – This is the surgery department of Ayurveda of which Kshara Karma that is mainly performed in treating patients with hemorrhoids (Piles) and fistula.

• Agada Tantra – The Toxicology division mainly treats those patients who have ingested some sort of poison or toxins as in case of bite of poisonous creature like spider, snake etc.

• Rasayana Tantra – The science of Rejuvenation is exceptional to Ayurveda system. Herein, herbal formulations and supportive treatment is provided to a healthy individual and aids in maintaining natural wellness and longevity. Also, this deal with anti-aging and immunity enhance management.

• Bajikarna Chikitsa – Aphrodisiacs is another equally relevant discipline which is taken care of as a separate department of Ayurveda treatment.   

Vata, Pitta and Kapha – Tridosha Physiology 

• These three doshas or humors of the body are main focus of Ayurveda physician who would probably perform pulse diagnosis or Nadi Pareeksha .
• This is a wonderful tool to substantiate the imbalance stages of vata or the air, pitta or the fire and kapha or the phlegm imbibed in the body.
• Also, it needs to be understood that as and when the three doshas are present in their relative balanced states.
• Only then these reason for the natural wellness of an individual.
• Nevertheless when the three doshas get to become imbalanced, this means that either they are decreased or increased than their normal limits.
• In both these stages disease is certain to manifest. 

Ayurveda Diagnosis

1. Darshana – Visual inspection is performed thoroughly at first.

2. Sparshana – This indicates noticing the physical changes by means of touch or palpation.

3. Prashana – Thorough interrogation is undertaken which involves not only the patient but also his close relations.

4. Nadi Pareeksha – Pulse diagnosis is authentically supportive in dealing with both the disease as well as the diseased one.

5. Nidana – Considering of the aetiological factors that reason for development of the ailment.

6. Poorvaroopa – The Prodomal symptoms that appear before the disease shows up fully and manifests are also taken into consideration.

7. Lakshana – The intricate signs and symptoms that show up are examined.

8. Upshaya – Therapeutic diagnostic tests that entails medicinal drugs and formulations, Ayurveda diet and lifestyle.

9. Samprapti – This signifies prognosis of the ailment.

Ayurveda Counsels Panchkarma Therapy

• The techniques of ‘Panchkarma’ help to bring the vitiated doshas into the Koshtha form which they can be more easily eradicated.
• Before performing these five specific modes of treatment, Charka (The learned Sage of Ayurveda) states that it is of utmost importance that Oleation and fomentation of the body should be performed.
• These two methods are named as Snehan Karma and Swedan Karma.

The Example

The example of a dry stick is given to elaborate upon the necessity of these. If a dry stick is bent, it is more susceptible to break. But if it is properly oiled and heated before hand than it does not break. Similarly, by these two methods Snehan and Swedan the doshas bound in the body tissues turn moist, loose their stiffness and rigidity. And this is how these can be brought into the Koshtha for expulsion using the ‘Panchkarmas’.

What Happens In Panchkarma?

‘Panchkarma’ as specified by its name means five methods to cure the disease.

1. · Vamana – To cause vomiting
2. · Virechana – This means to cause purgation
3. · Shirovirechana – Nasal Errhines
4. · Asthapan Vasti – Enema to push medicines into colon
5. · Anuvasan Vasti – Oil enemas.

Ayurveda Medicinal Expertise

Whenever medicine is administered to a patient, which is a herbal-mineral and natural drug, it acts by two ways – 

1. Either as Shodhana or the medicine or procedures performed so as to eviction of the distorted or imbalanced doshas
2. Or Shamana whereas the herbs tend to re-balance the doshas within the body itself.

Although, there are separate medicines that are used to balance the three physical doshas viz. vata, pitta and kapha and for curing the disturbed mental states of Rajas and Tamas. 

Article Published in Global Ayurveda Magazine.

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