Ayurveda
has got 8 branches or the Ashtangas (Ashta means 8 and angas means branches or
parts)
-Ashtanga hrdayam
They are as follows
·
Kayachikitsa
·
Bala
Chikitsa
·
Grahachikitsa
·
Urdhvangachikitsa
·
Salyatantra
·
Visha
Chikitsa
·
Rasayanachikitsa
·
Vajeekaranachikitsa
Kaya Chikitsa (General Medicine)
The term Kaya means body and Chikitsa means treatment.
Refers to the treatment of diseases pertaining to Kaya or the body. The term
Kaya is derived from the Sanskrit word
“chin-chayane”means to collect. Here collection refers to food. Kaya takes in
food and metabolizes it. So it can be also considered that KayaChikitsa means treatment
of diseases, which arise due to impaired metabolism. The treatment may be done
internally or externally i.e., by medicines given orally or through Sodhana or
eliminative procedures-Panchakarmas.
Panchakarmas means five treatments—Vamana
(Emesis), Virechana(purgation), Vasthi (Enema), Nasya(Nasal Medications),
Raktamoksha (Different forms of bloodletting)
Bala Chikitsa or Kaumarabhritya
(Pediatrics)
Kaumarabhritya
or Bala Chikitsa deals with all diseases of the infants. According to Acharya
Susruta it deals with diseases of Kumara or child, qualities of a wet nurse,
causes of vitiation of breast milk and its mode of purification, diseases due
to intake of this vitiated breast milk its treatment and the influence of
grahas on the child which leads to diseases or can be said as the infections
and its treatments and affections of childhood. According to Acharya Harita
antenatal care and management of Puerperium also come under this branch.
Grahachikitsa or Bhootavidya
(Psychiatry)
It dictates the diagnosis and
treatment of mental diseases. Management of psychiatric diseases like unmada
and apasmara come under this branch.
Urdhvangachikitsa or Salakyatantra
(Ophthalmology & ENT)
According to Acharya Susruta it
includes all the diseases pertaining to Urdhvanga – Area above the neck i.e., eyes,
ears, nose, mouth, throat and head etc.. and its treatment.. It comprehends the
faculties of Ophthalmology and Otorhinolaryngology.
Salyatantra (Surgery)
Salyatantra analogous to Surgery of Modern
Medicine. Acharya Susruta is considered as the father of Surgery. This branch
deals with various surgical and orthopedic procedures. Removing foreign bodies
either of exogenous(Sand, wood, stone ,warfare materials etc..) or endogenous
origin (pus, dead fetus, extravasated blood etc..)from the body . It also deals
with the diagnosis and management of inflammatory swellings and description of
various uses of surgical instruments. It also explains the mode of preparation,
properties and applications of various cauteries (alkalies, fire etc..).
Damshtra or Visha Chikitsa or
Agadatantra (Clinical Toxicology)
Deals with
diagnosis and treatment of bites of poisonous snakes, insects, spiders, mice
etc.. and criminal administration of poison.
Jara Chikitsa or Rasayanatantra
(Rejuvenative therapy )
Deals with the
methodology and medications to preserve youth or maintain lifespan even prolong
it, promote intelligence and strength and give immunity to resist diseases.
Vrisha Chikitsa or Vajikaranatantra
(Reproductive Medicine/Aphrodisiacs)
Vaji actually means horse and karana
means to follow. This part deals with remedies for increasing the quantity of
Semen when its scanty, methods for purification when vitiated, replenishing its
losses and methods for improving virility.
Picture Courtesy:- rawayurveda.com
Prepared by
Dr.Sanjay.M
Prepared by
Dr.Sanjay.M
No comments:
Post a Comment