"Vyapnothi sahasaadeham ; Aapadathalamasthakam
Nivarthathe thu kupitha: ; Malolpalpam jalawghaval"
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This sloka deals with the importance of apt treatments and proper duration for getting relief. The diseases may be affected at any part of the body right from head to the feet. However, it must be treated with patience and with proper time for getting relief. Example given in this sloka: In-order to drain away the waters from a flood it takes time.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is an ancient life science, which originated in India and is practiced to attain complete health in the four pursuits of human life (Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha). Moksha (salvation) is considered to be the ultimate goal of a man.
The word 'Ayurveda' is composed of the words 'Ayu' and 'Veda'. Veda means authentic knowledge and Ayu means life which is formed of Shareera (Body), Indria (Sensory organs), Satwa (Manas) and Atma (Soul), synonymous with Dhaari – Jeevitham – Nityaga and Anubandha.
Ayurveda is known as Upaveda in the Atharvaveda. For the welfare of humans, Brahma, the Creator, memorized the science of Ayurveda and taught it to Daksha Prajapathi, Ashwini Kumar and Indra. Then it was taught to the eminent sages, Bharadwaja, Dhanwanthari, Kashyapa, Nimi and a few others. And in this way the life science descended to Earth, was refined and established as Ashtangaayurveda.
The eight Limbs of Ayurveda
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Kaya Chikitsa – General Medicine.
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Panchakarma - Orthopedics.
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Kriya (sodhana- Neti) - Cleansing medicine
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Bala Roga Chikitsa – Pediatrics.
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Graha Chikitsa – Treatment for evil spirits.
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Urdwanga tantra – E.N.T & Ophthalmology.
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Shalya Chikitsa – Surgery.
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Visha Chikitsa – Toxicology.
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Rasayana Chikitsa – Rejuvenation Therapy.
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Vajeekarana Chikitsa – Aphrodisiacs.
Ayurveda serves as both a therapeutic and preventive treatment. Its purpose is to preemptively safeguard against and shield from illnesses. "Swastasya Swastya rakshana Aturasya Vikara Prashamana" is a Sanskrit phrase that refers to the preservation of well-being and the alleviation of ailments.
The Prakruti and Purusha are analogous to the physical body known as "Shatdhatwatmaka purusha" (comprised of the five elements and the soul).
'Swasthya' refers to the state of physical and mental wellbeing or health, which is characterized by the quantitative, qualitative, and functional balance of dosha (Tridoshas), dhatu (Sapta dhatu), mala (Tri mala), Agni (Trayodashaagni), and the pleasantness of Aatma manaha and indriya.
Padartha Vignyan is a field of study that encompasses the understanding of the body's structural and functional units, its fundamental components, their proportions, evolutionary processes, relationship with nature, and the principles that impact health.
All the Vedas are considered to be eternal. Ayurveda is a complete or holistic system that integrates the mind, body and spirit. For a few centuries, the tradition of Ayurveda had dimmed due to natural and human calamities and also the invasion of foreign cultures into India. However, a few 'Vaidyans and Vaidya families' in India managed to preserve the Ayurvedic system of treatments. Medicinal herbs and plants that sustain long life and good health are now being rediscovered. Many renowned families of Vaidyas, who are specialised in certain branches of Ayurveda, have started functioning again in India. Kunnathuvalappil vaidyasramam is one amongst those ancient families who have even managed to preserve the sacred ayurvedic texts and maintain the ancient culture and traditions inherent to Ayurveda, which is a true gift of the ancient civilization to the modern world.
Tridosha types in Ayurveda
Ayurvedic System of medicine is based on concepts such as Rasa, Guna, Virya, Vipaka & Karma developed by famous acharyas like Charaka, Susruta, Vagbhada etc. The treatments in Ayurveda is not removal of symptoms or removal of causes but it is the restoration of the natural state of Doshas, which is termed as 'Prakritisthapana' (restoration of equilibrium of 'doshas', 'dhatus' & 'malas' and 'mental disposition'). An expert Ayurvedic doctor (vaidya) prescribes medicines not because of its curative property alone, but because of its efficacy in restoring the health by bringing the vitiated 'Doshas' to normal equipoise.
Vata
Air & ether
"Vaa gathi gandhanayoho ethi vaayu:"
Njanam(sencing power), gamanam(all movements), prapthi(acheiving something) etc. are done as a result of Vata.
This is the only dosha which can move by itself and make other doshas moving. It is considered as king among doshas. All the activities or movements like circulation, heart beating, elimination, binking of eyes etc. can be done because of Vata. Balancing and imbalancing of this dosha will be quicker while comparing with other doshas. It is seen that a person with vata prakriti have a dry and rough skin, will be lightly built, will be quick in their mental process and initiation of action.
Pitha
fire & water
"Thapa santhape pitham"
'Thapa' means heat. Pitta manages all heat, metabolism and transformation in the mind and body. Digestion, metabolism & transformation in body etc. are done as a result of Pitta. It is seen that pitta prakriti individuals tend to sweat a lot and tend to have a higher than normal body temperature.
Kapha
water & Earth
"Kena jalena bhalathi ithi kapham, shlish alinghane"
Kapham consists of water and earth. Kapha is unctuous, smooth, soft, sweet in taste, stable, dense, slow, rigid, cold and clear. Kapham manages the immune system. It is seen that the Kapha prakriti individuals tend to have soft limbs, slow gait and are slow to understand. The cold quality means that their agni or digestive power is low.