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.