Ayurveda Ayurveda emphasizes preventative and healing therapies along with various methods of purification and rejuvenation. Ayurveda is more than a mere healing system; it is a science and an art of appropriate living, which helps to achieve longevity.Ayurveda is a vast science so for convenient study of Ayurveda, it is divided into eight branches, which are collectively called as Ashtang Ayurveda. The eight branches of Ayurvedic science are as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Kayachikitsa (Internal Medicine)///Shalya chikitsa (Surgery)///Bala chikitsa- (Pediatrics)///Graha chikitsa- Bhoot Vidya (Psychiatry)///Urdhvanga chikitsa-Treatment of eyes, ears, nose, throat and head///Damstra chikitsa- agad tantra or (Toxicology)///Jara chikitsa-Rasayana (Gerentorology)///Vrishya chikitsa (vajikarana) (Aphrodisiacs) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kayachikitsa: Kaya means the living human body, which includes body and mind both. It includes both, the visible body as well as the subtle body. In Kayachikitsa that is medicinal branch includes all the diseases situated in the body like fever, etc* ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bala-chikitsa is that branch of Ayurveda, which deals with children. The diseases suffered by children and the treatment given for curing is Bala-chikitsa. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Graha chikitsa bhoott vidya is that branch or subdivision of Ayurveda and mainly deals with the management of psychological disorders of human beings produced as a result of invasion by some evil spirits. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Urdhvanga means the organs situated above the neck and the treatment of eyes, ears, nose, throat and head is Urdhvanga chikitsa or shalakya. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shalya chikitsa is the branch of ancient Indian surgery that describes in detail about the pre-operative procedures, general procedures, post-operative procedures, marma's (vital points) and also about anesthesia. The description of the types of bandages, shastra (sharp instruments), yantras (blunt instruments), and sutures (stitches) has been described in this surgery ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Damstra chikitsa toxicology or agad tantra is the branch including the science of poisonsJara chikitsa rasayana or the rejuvenating therapy is the therapy, which, promotes rejuvenation in a healthy person and cures the disease of a diseased person. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vrishya chikitsa(vajikarana) or (Aphrodisiacs) is the branch of ayurvedic treatment, which includes drugs that are mainly used for improving fertility. They serve as good aphrodisiacs and induce an immediate sense of pleasurable excitement, along with increased fertile seminal secretions even in an ageing person. These drugs also increase the strength and stamina of the person. All this is included in Vrishya chikits. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Panchakarma is Ayurveda's primary purification and detoxification treatment. Panchakarma means the "five therapies". It is a comprehensive system of knowledge and practices to purify the body of toxins and restore it to balance with natural law. These five therapeutic means of eliminating toxins from the body are Vamana, Virechana, Nasya, Basti and Raktamoskshana. This series of five therapies help remove deep-rooted stress and illness causing toxins from the body while balancing the doshas (energies that govern all biological functions). Panchakarma is ineffective if special detoxification diet is not given along with the treatments. Panchakarma plays a vital role in Ayurvedic medicine, both in health as well as in disease. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HERBS: Aloe vera:It is useful for X ray burns, Dermatitis, Cutaneous and disorders of skin. Drug from juice is tonic and is used in jaundice, ameneorrhoea, atonic and piles. Aloe Vera Gel has the remarkable ability to heal wounds, ulcer and burns. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ashwagandha:It is official Indian Pharmacopoeia. It is popularly known as Indian. It has been used in diseases such as rheumatism, leprosy and arthritis. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Asparagus Racemosus:The roots are emollient, cooling, nervine, tonic, constipating. They are useful in nervous disorders, dyspepsia, and tumors, scalding of urine, throat infections, tuberculosis, cough, bronchitis and general debility. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basil:It is used in malaria, catarrh, bronchitis coughs, colds, fevers, headaches, lung problems, abdominal distention, absorption, arthritis, colon (air excess), memory, nasal congestion, nerve tissue strengthening, purifies the air, sinus congestion, clears the lungs, heart tonic and gastric disorders. It also lowers blood sugar levels and its powder is used for mouth ulcers ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bhringaraj:This is the main herb for the hair and cirrhosis in Ayurveda. It is believed to prevent aging, maintains and rejuvenates hair, teeth, bones, memory, sight, and hearing. It also rejuvenates kidneys and liver. As oil, it removes graying, balding, makes the hair darker, and promotes deep sleep. It also improves complexion. The root powder is used in Ayurveda for hepatitis, enlarged spleen and skin disorders. Mixed with salt, it relieves burning urine. Mixed with a little oil and applied to the head, it relieves headache. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cardamom:Cardamom is used internally for indigestion, nausea, vomiting and pulmonary disease with copious phlegm. It can be used with a laxative to prevent stomach pain, griping, as well as flatulence. The seeds are also chewed to sweeten the breath and taken to detoxify caffeine in people taking excessive amounts of coffee. They are also used as a spice in cooking and as a flavoring in other medicines. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carica Papaya:Carica papaya contains many biologically active compounds. Two important compounds are chymopapain and papain, which are supposed to aid in digestion. The level of the compounds varies in the fruit, latex, leaves and roots. Papaya has been used for digestive problems and intestinal worms. The softening qualities of papain have been taken advantage of in the treatment of warts, corns, sinuses, and chronic forms of scaly eczema, cutaneous tubercles, and other hardness of the skin, produced by irritation. Papain also is used to treat arthritis. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Castor:Castor leaves are used externally by nursing mothers to increase the flow of milk.Cinnamon:Cinnamon is used internally to stop digestive problems - especially when accompanied by flatulence and cramping, as well as diarrhea, vomiting and gastroenteritis. Its warming action is used to treat cold and flu as well as arthritis and rheumatism. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ginger:Clinically proved as prophylactic of nausea and vomiting associated with motion, sickness, seasickness and pregnancy. Ginger is also known for its gastrointestinal benefits and as an anti inflammatory and carminative. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Guggul:It is Carminative, Anti suppurative Gum resin used for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It is a potent drug for cardiac disorders high cholesterol. It is an ingredient for over fifty compounds. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jatamamsi:Jatamansi is used for treating insomnia, mental instability and also as a memory enhancer. As an herbal CNS (Central Nervous System) drug, it is used for epilepsy, hysteria, and convulsions. Due to its anti-arrhythmic activity, ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Manjishta:This herb is also used to cleanse and regulate liver, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marigold-Calendula:Calendula flowers have been considered beneficial in reducing inflammation wound healing and used as an antiseptic. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mulberry:Mulberry fruit is used to treat weakness, dizziness, tinnitus, fatigue, anemia, and incontinence. The leaves are used to promote sweating, and the branches and bark for lowering blood pressure. Mulberry can help treat chronic diseases of the digestive tract, improve digestion, stimulate the appetite, promote gastric juice secretion and eliminate constipation. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Podina:The entire plant is antibacterial and antifibrile. It is effective in headache, rhinitis, cough, sore throat, colic, prurigo and vomiting. Menthol obtained from this is used in balms. It is also used as flavoring agent in culinary preparations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Punica Granatum:Pomegranate is now well known for antioxidant properties. It helps in preventing the formation of skin cancer by reducing the frequency of lesions and limits the occurrence of tumors. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rose Petals:Rejuvenating and tonic. It is used in internal asthma, high blood pressure, bronchitis, slow circulation, diarrhea, dysmenarrhea (painful menstruation), cough, fever and fluid retention, indigestion, insomnia, palpitation, stress and urinary tract infections. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sandalwood:On the skin, sandalwood essential oil helps to moisturize and hydrate ageing, dry or flaky skin, relieving itching and inflammation and its astringent action balances oily skin conditions. It helps to clear up a dry cough and boosts the digestive system, especially helpful in diarrhea. It is used to treat general chest complaints. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shankapushpi:Primarily, Shankhapushpi is used as a brain tonic. Shankhapushpi is one of the best and prominent natural medicines, which helps in improving memory. Whole plant of Shankhapushpi is used in medical treatment(for more information go to http://www.iloveindia.com/)