Indian Medicine Systems PDF

## INDIAN SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE AND AROMATHERAPY ### Introduction The system of medicine which is native to a particular country is called indigenous system of medicine. The indigenous or traditional systems of medicine practiced in India are: - Ayurveda - Siddha - Unani - Homeopathy - Aromatherapy...

## INDIAN SYSTEMS OF MEDICINE AND AROMATHERAPY ### Introduction The system of medicine which is native to a particular country is called indigenous system of medicine. The indigenous or traditional systems of medicine practiced in India are: - Ayurveda - Siddha - Unani - Homeopathy - Aromatherapy In principle, all these four systems of medicine mostly use plant products, herbs and other natural substances. Many of the plant products are important therapeutic agents. These are represented by alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, anthraquinones, flavonoids, mucilages, enzymes, polyphenols, tannins, volatile oils, gums, resins, etc. ### AYURVEDIC SYSTEM Ayurveda is the oldest and most ancient system of medicine practiced in India, the origin of which has been taken from the Gods. Ayurveda was first perceived by Brahma, who taught this science to Daksa-Prajapati, who taught it to the Aswini-Kumaras, and later on was adopted in India and so on. #### Pharmacognosy The name Ayurveda is derived from two words: Ayur meaning "life" and Veda meaning "knowledge or science" i.e., "Science of Life". It is the system of health care, both physical and mental, and therefore Ayurveda is based on it is the system of the body, mind and spirit. Health, in Ayurveda, has been defined as well-balanced metabolism, plus a happy state of being. It is one of the most noted systems of medicine in the world. #### Basic Principles of Ayurveda Ayurveda is based on the hypothesis that everything in the universe is composed of five basic elements, viz., space, air, energy, liquid and solid. They exist in the human body in combined forms like Vata (space and air), Pitta (energy and liquid) and Kapha (liquid and solid). Vata, Pitta and Kapha together are called Tridosha, the three pillars of life. It is believed that these three doshas are in balance with each other in the body but, in every human being one of them is dominating, which in turn is called as the Prakruti of that person. Each disease is characterized by a specific status of these three doshas. Disease has been considered four-fold: - Body - Mind - External factors - Natural intrinsic causes #### Treatment in Ayurveda Treatment in Ayurveda is done by a salubrious use of drugs, diets and practices. Pharmaceuticals occupy an important place in Ayurveda. Ayurvedic medicine makes use of vegetables, animals, minerals, metals and even physical forces. Utilization of plants is mentioned in Rigveda and Atharvaveda. Charaka Samhita (900 BC) is the first recorded treatise on Ayurveda. It consists of eight sections divided into 150 chapters, and describes 341 plants used in medicine. Charaka Samhita, a famous scholar of the 9th century BC, is considered as the father of Ayurvedic medicine. The other treatise on Ayurveda is Sushruta Samhita (600 BC) with special emphasis on surgery. It has six sections covering 186 chapters and describes 395 medicinal plants, 57 drugs of animal origin and 64 minerals and metals as drugs. #### Ayurvedic Formulations Ayurvedic formulations are Churana (powder), Kalpa (paste), Kashaya (extract), agava (tincture), etc. Mostly all of them are polyherbal formulations. Some of the important herbs from Ayurveda are Rauwolfia serpentina, Asparagus racemosus, Cassia angustifolia, Sesamum indicum, Withania, Aconitum, pepper, etc. #### Diagnosis Practices Ayurvedic methods of diagnosis are extremely simple. Ayurveda also stresses upon the use of a wholesome diet along with the use of drugs for the successful treatment of diseases. In Ayurveda, drugs are classified depending on their taste, attributes, potency, their taste after digestion and therapeutic effect. #### Types of Therapies Four types of therapies-elimination therapy, alleviation therapy, psychic therapy and surgery are used for the treatment of diseases. In addition to single drugs, compound formulations are generally used by Ayurvedic physicians in the form of pills, powders, decoctions, infusions, linctus, alcoholic preparations, medicated ghee, fractional distillation, collyrium, etc. Ayurvedic drugs are administered both externally in the form of ointment, dusting powder, collynum, ear drops and eye drops, and internally as tablets, pills, powder, syrups, etc. ### SIDDHA SYSTEM It is one of the oldest systems of medicine in India. Its origin dates back to the pre-Vedic period and was practiced even in the era of Mohenjo-daro (5000-3000 BC). The term "Siddha" means achievement and siddhars were considered as saintly figures. The literature on Siddha system was written on palm leaves only in Tamil, therefore it is extensively practiced in Tamil Nadu. It consists of 96 principles with at least 3500 formulae, which have been described by 18 siddhars in their work. The principles and doctrines of this system closely resemble that of Ayurveda. According to this system, the human body is a replica of the universe and all things in this universe are composed of five basic elements, namely earth, fire, water, air and sky. #### Siddha Principles of Treatment The food which is consumed by humans and the drugs that they use contain various proportions of these five basic elements, which have therapeutic action. As in Ayurveda, Siddha system also considers the human body as a conglomeration of the three humours, seven basic tissues and the water products of the body such as faeces, urine and sweat. The food is considered to be the basic building block of the human body which gets processed into humours, body tissues and waste products. The equilibrium of humours results in a healthy body, and its imbalance leads to disease. #### Important Aspects of Siddha Medicine Siddha system of medicine was achieved through the practice of yoga and meditation. Siddha medicine is actually a psychosomatic system of medicine and gives more importance to minerals and metals rather than using herbs and products of animals in pharmaceutical preparations. The plants garlic, neem and lemon are highly valued in this system. Hence, the medicines for the human body are prepared based on the theory of panchabutas like metals of gold, lead, copper, iron and zinc for example, gold and lead are used for the maintenance of the body whereas copper is meant for the preservation of heat in the body. Iron is the only metal attracted by the electric power of magnet, and zinc is used for generating electricity. All these metals are used after proper detoxification and these metals and minerals like salt and sulphur are used for the extension of life of humans on this earth. Siddha system is otherwise called "Agasthyar system" after the famous sage Agasthya. ### UNANI SYSTEM The Unani system of medicine originated from Greece. The roots of this system of medicine go deep into the times of the well-known Greek philosopher-physician Hippocrates (460-377 BCE) who is credited for it. #### Unani Medicine Fundamentals The main framework of Unani medicine is based on the teachings of Hippocrates who is the father of medicine. He was then followed by a number of Greek scholars who enriched this system considerably. Aristotle Galen (131–210 CE), a well-known scholar, made valuable contributions to it. This system of Greek origin was further carried to Persia (Iran), where it was enhanced by Arabian physicians like Rhazes (850-925 CE) and Avicenna (980-1037 CE). #### Introduction in India In India, the Unani system of medicine was introduced by the Arabs. #### Unani Treatment Principles Like Ayurveda, the Unani system of medicine is also based on ancient principle. The most important similarity is the principle of the four elements, which is identical to Ayurveda Panchbhuta principle. Therefore Unani interacted intimately with Ayurvedic system. Unani practice is mainly confined to the Indian subcontinent. According to the Unani system, the functions of the human body are regulated by four humours which include: - Blood - Phlegm - Yellow bile - Black bile #### Treatment Methods of Unani System The imbalance of any of these humours produces a disease. Unani system emphasizes a correct diet. Also, it characterizes and diagnoses a disease by examining the pulse. Unani medicine aims at combating disease and preservation and promotion of health through curative, preventive and promotive measures. For the treatment of diseases, medicines obtained from natural sources, e.g., plants, animals and minerals, are used in this system. #### Important Considerations in Unani Medicine The Unani system lays great emphasis on the maintenance of proper ecological balance on one hand, and on keeping water, food and air free from pollution on the other. The Unani system of medicine aims to treat the cause of disease and not its symptoms. The drugs are mostly polyherbal formulations and their collective effect is considered. #### Unani Medicines Availability Unani medicines are not only cheap and easily available, but are also very effective and free from side effects. The Unani pharmaceutical preparations include powders, suspensions, syrups, electunes, distilled medicinal waters and many other forms and are more than seventy in number.