FAQ'S

Q.1 WHAT IS AYURVEDA?
"AYURVEDA" is made up of two words-Ayuh and Veda. Ayuh means life and Veda means knowledge or science. Thus "AYURVEDA" in totality means 'Science of life'. It incorporates all aspects of life whether physical, psychological, spiritual or social. What is beneficial and what is harmful to life, what is happy life and what is sorrowful life; all these four questions and life span allied issues are elaborately and emphatically discussed in Ayurveda. It believes the existence of soul before birth and after death too.

Q.2 WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF AYURVEDA?
Ayurveda, the ancient most health care system originated with the origin of universe. With the inception of human life on earth Ayurveda started being applied. The antique vedic texts have scattered references of Ayurvedic Remedies and allied aspects of medicine and health. Atharva-veda mainly deals with extensive Ayurvedic information. That is why Ayurveda is said to be the off shoot of Atharva Veda.

Q.3 WHAT IS THEBASIC PHILOSOPHY OF HEALTH, DISEASE AND TREATMENT IN AYURVEDA?
As per Ayurveda, 'Health' is a state of equilibrium of normal functions of doshas, Dhatus, malas and Agni with delighted body, mind and soul. It means that when Dosh-Dhatu-Malas and Agni are constantly in a state of functional equilibrium, then the health is maintained. Otherwise distortion of the equilibrium results into diseases. Erratic lifestyle is believed to be one of the basic causes behind the failure of mechanism of maintaining equilibrium.

Treatment either with or without drugs and application of specific rules of diet, activity and mental status as described, disease wise, brings back the state of equilibrium i.e. health.

Q.4 WHAT ARE THE MODES OF AYURVEDIC TREATMENT?
There exists eight divisions of Ayurvedic therapeutics, namely Kayachikitsa (Internal medicine), Shalya (Surgery), Shalkya (Otorhinolaryngology and Opthalmology), Kaumr Bhritya (Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics) Agad tantra (Toxicology), Rasayana (Gerentorology), Vajikaran (Aphrodisiacs) and Bhoot Vidya (Psychiatry).

The principles of treatment are Shodhan (purificatory), Shaman (palliative and conservative), Nidan parivarjan (avoidance of causative and prescipitating factors of disease) and Pathya Vyavastha (do's and don'ts regarding diets lifestyle). Shodhan therapy includes Vamana (medically induced emesis), Virechana (medically induced laxation), Vasti (medicated enema), shirovirechana (administration of medicines through nose) and Raktmokshan (Blood letting). These therapeutic procedures are collectively known as Panchkarma. Before executing Panch karma treatment Snehan (olation) and Swedan (getting perspiration) are to employed first.

Q.5 DOES AYURVEDIC SYSTEM OF MEDICINE HAVE PLUS POINTS OVER CONVENTIONAL MEDICINAL SYSTEM?
Being holistic and disease eradicative with principles of individualised treatment, condusive to socio-economic conditions of India and with availability of abundance of formulations for any particular disease, use of food items as medicine and lifestyle rules, Ayurveda enjoys a better place in respect of prevention and cure of the disease is concerned in comparison to western medical system.

Q.6 Which are the well-known institutions/hospitals of Ayurveda in Karnataka?
  • Shri Jayachamarajendra Institute of Indian Medicine, Dhanwantri Road, Bangalore - 9.
  • Govt. Ayurvedic College and Hospital, Sayyaji RaoRoad, Visweshwaraiah Circle, Mysore - 21.
  • BMK, AM, Belgaum, KLE Society's Shri BMK Ayurved Medical College & Hospital, Khasbag, Belgaum.
  • ALN Rao Memorial Ayurvedic College Hospital, Koppa.
  • Sri DM Ayurveda Hospital, Kuthpady, Udupi - 574118.