Ayurveda
Introduction
Sri Lanka with an Archeological history running back to 30000 BC, has its indigenous scheme of Medicine, this system has been practised for many centuries in the island nation. The Sri Lankan Ayurvedic Tradition is a mixture of Ayurveda systems of North Indian origin, the Siddha system from South India, Unani system of medicine from the Arabs, and most importantly the Desheeya Chikitsa which is the Indigenous medicine of Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka also claims to be the first country to have established dedicated hospitals in world history, Mihintale still has the ruins of what is believed to be the first ever hospital in the world.
Ayurveda translates into English as the Science of Life (Ayur - life, veda - science). Considered to be the oldest healing science in the world, this ancient medicine is practiced extensively in Sri Lanka and India.
Passed down through time, this ancient science of healing focuses on the connection between the body and the mind. Using natural cures, Ayurveda maintains the body in a balanced state of health.
History
Sri Lanka has its own Ayurvedic system based on a series of prescriptions handed down from generation to generation over a period of 3000 years. The kings, who were also prominent physicians as recorded by historical texts, sustained its survival and longevity. King Buddhadasa (398 AD) was the most prominent physician, who wrote Sarartha Sangrahaya, which is being viewed by physicians to date.
Ancient inscriptions on rock surfaces reveal the full establishment of the medical services, which existed within the country. These ancient hospital sites which were active centuries ago, now attract the tourists, who view and marvel at these beautiful ruins, which have come to symbolize a sense of healing and care which was so prevalent at that time. The Ayurvedic physicians enjoyed noble position in the social hierarchy in the country due to its Royal patronage and from this stem a famous Sri Lankan saying; ‘IF YOU CANNOT BE A KING, BECOME A HEALER’. This inter-relationship between Ayurveda and royalty has brought Buddhism and Ayurveda into a top position in Sri Lankan politics.
Aims of Ayurveda
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- To prevent diseases
- To treat and cure diseases
Both of which are aimed towards the promotion of health on three levels:
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- Mentally
- Physically
- Spiritually
The Eight Branches
Ayurveda looks at diseases as a state of disharmony in the body as a whole, and is divided into eight branches, which are:
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- Kaya Chikitsa - Internal Medicine
- Bala Chikitsa - Pediatrics
- Graha Chikitsa - Psychological Medicine
- Shalakya Tantra - Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Ophthalmology
- Shalya Tantra - Surgery
- Agada Tantra - Toxicology
- Vajikarana - Sexology
- Rasayana - Rejuvenation
Panchamahabutha
According to ancient vedic scientific thinking, all matter in the universe is made up from no matter to matter, which is constantly changing from one form to another. They are known as ‘PANCHAMAHABHUTA’. The five elements are:
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- APO - Meaning liquid, creating the taste sensation (rasa), its sensory organ being the tongue
- THEJO - Meaning heat, creating the visual impute of colour (rupa), its sensory organ being the eyes
- VAYU - Meaning air, creating the physical sensation of touch (sparsha), its sensory organ being skin
- PRUTHUVI - Meaning earth, creating the sensation of smell and odour (gandha), its organ being the nose
- AKASHA - Meaning space, creating the auditory sensation of sound (sharsda), its origin being the ear
These are the basic foundations and principles upon which Ayurveda lies. All five elements having a key role in our lives, since our bodies are composed of these MAHABHUTAS (the five elements)
The three Doshas
In addition, life is considered a union of body, mind and soul. There are three body types according to individual dominance, known as the THREE DOSHAS.
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- VATA - Air
- PITTA - Bile
- KAPHA - Phlegm
Dhatus consists of seven different body tissue types. Malas are the three types of body excretions.
Vata
This initiates and promotes biological activity responsible for all internal and external movements of the body.
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- Prana (Head) the main life force – breathing
- Udana (Throat) supporting glandular functions
- Samana (Stomach and Duodenum) supporting gastric functions
- Vyana (Heart and Blood vessels) supporting circulatory functions
- Apana (Semen/Feces/Urine) supporting elimination
Pitta
This is responsible for the generation of body heat and metabolism and certain psychological attributes of the individual.
Kapha
The main function of is to maintain healthy body tissues and maintain the balance of fat, water and other fluids.
These elements must exist in dynamic equilibrium to help maintain body ‘PRAKRUTI’, meaning the original balance of the individual’s dosha inheritance. Any disturbance to any one of the doshas causes imbalance and malfunction, resulting in the manifestation of disease.
Ayurvedic understanding of the disease process
The doshas may change their proportional balance as a result of a variety of factors, such as, inappropriate lifestyle, diet, activities, trauma, mental and physical, which are mainly brought about by the lack of understanding about our own bodies. When there is a change-taking place within us, which is pre-clinical in its developmental stage, it may take a very long period of time for signs and symptoms to appear. Very often, when there is a change-taking place, disease may take a path along the inherited weak areas of the individual. Sometimes, in some individuals, disease may set in the body beyond their own control, they are known as ‘KARMIC DISEASES’ due to the theory of cause and effect.
Ayurvedic medications are mostly herbal preparations and some include natural mineral preparations. All herbs or minerals possess the following properties according to Ayurveda.
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- RASA – Taste
- GUNA – Quality
- VIRYA – Potency (Heating or cooling effects)
- VIPAKA – Effect after digestion and metabolism
- PRABHAVA – Specific power of the substance
In general, all herbs have the power to increase or decrease the three doshas, Vata, Pitta or Kapha, to different extents and in different combinations. Classical Ayurveda applies theory into practice. Firstly, by diagnosing an alteration of Dosha State, the physician will then prescribe suitable herbs in single or combined form, with the appropriate dosage to control ailments.
Panchakarma
This is a sub-section of Ayurveda, which entails five different types of activities aimed towards detoxification, mainly for the prevention and control of diseases. They are:
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- Virechana – Purgation Therapy
- Bastis (classified as Niruna and Anuvasana)
- Herbal and/or oil decoction enemas
- Vamana – Emesis Therapy
- Nasya – Inhalation
- Rakta Moksha – Blood letting
The content of this page is retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_Ayurvedic_Tradition under GFDL
