|
|
|
Herbal Medicines
From WikiVerde
Medicinal herbs were the only means of health care for mankind several thousand years ago. Through intuition or trial and error method, the seeker had to find and establish these remedies for various ailments. In modern times, our hi-tech society appears keen on shall we say “reinventing the wheel” and is taking to Herbal remedies in a big way perhaps to fight the side effects of what is reckoned as the “modern medicine”.
Ayurveda is explained in the above video
Contents |
Ayurveda – The most ancient form of Herbal Medicines
Hindu mythology holds that Brahma created this universe and all its occupants. By capturing knowledge from the four directions East, West, North and South, he created the four Vedas and these Vedas contain knowledge of the Universe including knowledge about life. Brahma therefore is regarded as the first Guru (teacher) of Ayurveda. Subsequently various texts of the Hindus like the Puranas, Ithihasas, Upanishads etc. carried several references to the plethora of diseases, causes and cures which man was destined to endure. But the information was scattered and not presented in any codified form. Between the 2nd century BC and the 10th century AD, a structured presentation came into being.
Codified Texts
Among the most popular and authentic texts on Ayurveda are the Charaka Samhita and the Susruta Samhita. While the former deals with General Medicine, the later largely deals with Surgery. Going by the style of presentation etc., the Charaka Samhita is supposed to have come first. For a long time after this, there was no other text. Then came the Ashtangasangraha by Vagbhata. Ashtangasangraha carries all the knowledge contained in Charaka Samhita and Susruta Samhita as also the knowledge gained after that period. Another treatise by Vagbhata came later and was titled Ashtangahrudayam. Ashtangahrudayam is the essence of Ashtangasangraha. The modern day practice of Ayurveda as a system of Herbal medicine is based on these texts.
Ayurveda and Spiritualism
Tenets of Ayurveda, the practitioners believe, have been laid down by the creator himself. Therefore, the approach to diagnosis, treatment and even the preparation of medicines more often than not, have elaborate procedures for invoking the blessings of the super physician, the creator. Preparation of medicines in particular called for astute measures being adopted by the physician or the manufacturing facility. Commercial scale production of Ayurvedic drugs came into being only over the last few centuries. Prior to that period, each practitioner had to personally prepare the medicines required for his patients/practice.
Principle of Ayurveda
To elaborate on the principles of Ayurveda, in a short exercise as this, is difficult, and only a concise description can be attempted. Ayurveda is based on the Pancha Bhootas i.e., Aakasa (the sky), Vayu (the air), Agni (Fire), Jala (Water), Prithvi (Earth) and Tridoshas (The three malefics) i.e., Vatha, Pitha and Kapha. The Tridoshas arise from a unification of two or more of the Pancha Bhootas.
Siddha Medicines
The symptomatic approach by the allopathic system of medicines has caused major disillusionment among patients across the board and particularly so, when they are suffering from chronic ailments. Though the modern medical system prefers to relegate all the ancient systems of medicines into one bunch and call it alternative therapy, most of these alternative therapies existed several thousand years ago when the “modern” system was not even in the embryo. Practitioners of the Siddha School claim that the system encapsules all the values of Ayurveda (based on plant extracts), Reikhi (energy field), Unani, Acupressure (Sensitive points).
The Unique feature of Siddha medicines is that it uses plant extracts in combination with metal oxides and has a liberal dose of spirituality in the form of chanting of mantras. The origin of this system is still a mystery, but like in Ayurveda is based on the five elements air,water,earth, fire and ether (sky) together with plants. Great ancestors who devoted their entire life developing this system were called ‘Siddhars’. They did not even bother to mention their names and the knowledge left behind by them is being used even today.
Siddha Approach to Treatment
The Pancha Bhoothas as mentioned earlier form the base and the three malefics Vata, Pitta and Kapha , like in Ayurveda, play a vital role here too. The Siddha medicines do not carry any artificial chemicals and therefore is claimed to be devoid of any side effects. As an example, this system claims to have an effective cure for diabetics (a wide spread ailment across communities and nations), by stimulating the pancreas to produce insulin. Unlike in certain other systems of medicine, the Siddha system claims that their medicine can run concurrent with the allopathic medicines without any adverse reactions. Certain peculiarities too exist in this system. To cite an inexplicable example, a drop of medicine put in the ear can cure tooth ache!
Siddha System for Chronic Ailments
The Siddha system of medicine promises to hold cure for a number of chronic ailments like Asthma, diabetes, arthritis etc. and behold they even claim to have methods for sex selection in pregnant women, tailoring the complexion of babies yet to be introduced into this universe.
Siddha Herbs are Disappearing
The Practitioners of Siddha System of medicine as well as Ayurveda have one complaint in common, the lack of availability of the select herbs. The Great Himalayas are home for several such rare herbs, which are now even harder to find. Some efforts are under way to recreate them, but are they enough?
The Unani System
The Unani system of medicine is predominantly derived from the Muslim Fakirs and lays more emphasis on practice of medicine rather than the texts and documentation. The basic tenets have several elements in common with the Ayurveda or Siddha system.
The Chinese Herbal Remedies
The Chinese Herbal Medicine system is an equally ancient system as Ayurveda or Siddha and predates the modern systems of medicine. This system believes in preventing diseases before they occur and use a combination of Herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary therapy and exercise for effective mitigation. In China, the Government Hospitals use the Chinese Herbal Medicine System alongside modern medicine and is not considered an alternative system of medicine.
Sources
http://www.malayalamresourcecentre.org/Mrc/Ayurveda/Ayurveda.htm
