Ayurveda: INTRODUCTION Ayurveda is probably the oldest system of natural medicine which man has memory, the word Ayurveda means knowledge of life or the science of life, it is composed of terms Ayus (life) and Veda (knowledge or science). In Charaka Samhita
, one of the basic texts of Ayurveda, we find the definition of Ayurveda and the matter in question: "Ayurveda is defined as the science that describes the states of life beneficial and unfavorable ones, along with what is good and what is harmful to life, which is the length of life and life itself. "(Charaka Samhita I, 41)
same text we find the definition of Ayus life, which is designed as a combination of four elements:
- body
-
sense organs - mind
- soul
Ayurveda deals with all aspects of welfare, the physical, psychological and spiritual and is interested in what is normal as much as what is abnormal or patologico.Secondo Ayurveda health is not only the absence of disease but a state of constant contentment and well-being , a state of physical happiness, mental and spiritual. The concept of equilibrium expressed dall'Ayurveda includes not only the proper functioning of the various systems and organs, psyche and spirit, but also a happy relationship with all living creatures, with family members, friends, work, with the climate and culture in which we live, with their ideals, with the habits, with the truth, with the notion we have of God, etc..
Ayurvedic Medicine
will normally use the term " Ayurvedic medicine" to refer to a therapeutic method in its most natural known are the prescription of herbal preparations and natural products, massage, various therapies for purification and relaxation often combined with cosmetics. The main aim of Ayurveda is not confined to these superficial aspects, but in reality is to eliminate the sense of separation between the pure unlimited self (Atma) and the limited expression of its (body, senses, mind), this separation made intellect is called "mistake of the intellect" (Pragya Aparada). In the analysis that Ayurveda is the origin of diseases, the error of the intellect is in the first place. Based on this view of life and its mechanisms based on the philosophical system of Samkhya, Ayurveda brings us the knowledge necessary to maintain the balance of the functioning of the mind and body, how to prevent memory loss part of the unlimited and pure of life and how to correct the error of the intellect that leads to identification with different aspects of life and loss of awareness of one's true nature.
After the statement of Yoga throughout the Western world, where millions of people benefit from its practice, we see a growing interest in Ayurveda and the principles that has passed. These principles are very useful in our scientific age because they are not subject to the immutable principles and doctrinal currents, they are found in all the traditional systems of medicine all the world. Although over time have been made many amendments and additions to many applications and implications of the original principles, they remain unchanged in their essence.
According to Charaka, the virtues that must be present in the ability doctor include:
- knowledge (Vidya)
- logic (Tarka)
- Science (Vijnana)
- memory (Smriti )
- adaptability (Tatparata)
- practical test (Kriya)
This indicates a system is not dogmatic or detached from empirical research, the combination of rational hypothesis supported by the application practice and experimentation makes this system extremely flexible and able to accept contributions from anyone who contributes to improve its implementation. Consequently, Ayurveda has a very open and liberal attitude towards other medical systems with which they can usefully supplement.
History
The history of Ayurveda, has its roots in the Vedic period, that dates back to 5000 BC or perhaps to an even earlier. In the four Vedas - Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva - there are many references to medicine, remedies, healing methods and descriptions of the different parts and organs of the human body. The classical texts of Ayurveda that have survived, Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, were drafted in its present form probably around the seventh century BC In these texts we find the myths of the origins of Ayurveda and how it was handed down to mankind.
In Charaka Samhita it is said that when the earth appeared to inhibit disease life of living beings, a group of wise men from every corner of the earth, moved by compassion for all creatures, gathered in a favorable location on the slopes of 'Himalayas to find a remedy. With this attitude, they went into meditation and found the help of Indra, the Lord of Gods, that they would be educated on the proper way to fight disease. Deputy so one of them, Bharadvaja, to go to learn Ayurveda from Indra. On his return Bharadvaja imparted the knowledge of Ayurveda to Atreya who had six disciples, each of the six disciples of Atreya wrote a treatise on Ayurveda. Most of these treaties has been lost, but the work of one of them, Agnivesa, or at least a part of it has come down to us in the form of Charaka Samhita. Another mythological story reveals that Dhanvantari, the physician of the gods, Indra was sent to earth to spread the knowledge of medicine. Of his disciples, Sushruta was particularly skilled in the art of surgery and wrote a treatise Sushruta Samhita known as Ayurveda. This treaty covers mainly the same time even if surgery is in charge of general medicine. In a later period Vagbhata wrote that describes the Ashtanga Hridaya Ayurveda in poetic form and bring together the wisdom of medicine, Charaka and Sushruta in the art of surgery.
It 'difficult to determine accurately the time of Charaka and Sushruta lack of accurate historical evidence, but scholars are fairly unanimous in the Charaka Samhita be traced back to the sixth or seventh century BC In these treatises describes the eight parts of' Ayurveda:
- General Medicine (Kaya)
- Surgery (Shalya)
- treatment of diseases of ears, nose, throat, eyes (Salakya)
- Psychiatry, Psychology (Bhuta Vidya)
- Pediatrics (Kaumari Bhritya)
- Toxicology (Agada)
- Science of Rejuvenation (Rasayana)
- Sexology (Vajikarana)
universal nature of Ayurveda
"Since ancient times, Ayurveda has been designed and taught by some wise, some scholars argue that Ayurveda has a beginning. In fact it is not, you do not know a time when Ayurveda was not existing, after which came to light. As the heat of the fire and liquid water, Ayurveda or the science of life is something innate to exist and does not need any effort by humans. " (Charaka Samhita 30.27)
Finally, Ayurveda is not the exclusive property of one culture or one country , it is the prerogative of one religion does not belong to a single historical period. Since these are phenomena inherent in the nature has a universal value and a very open attitude towards the influences that come from different cultures, medicines and diets vary, but the principles that underlie it are still the same. So you can consider an Ayurveda "World Heritage".
Ayurvedic medicine is the most widespread in India and some neighboring countries, today in the West you can find many preparations including those used by the vast Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. The same companies that sell these products, imported mainly from India, sometimes also involved the training of doctors so that they can have accurate information on the principles of Ayurveda, on how to use the preparations, and can use the methods diagnostic classics of Ayurveda like pulse reading. Many scientific studies have been made and are underway with modern methods to validate what is said in the treaties of thousands of years ago, both with regard to the therapeutic effectiveness of preparations and treatments, which have the appearance of Medicine Ayurvedic treatments for the effectiveness of "inner" such as meditation, taking us back to the main purpose of Ayurveda, to make us remember who we really are.
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