Ayurveda for sexual health

The three pillars essential for sustaining a healthy human life are food, sleep and sex. Ayurveda, the science of life gives as much importance to sex as to food and sleep.

The ancient sex science book “Kama sutra” also explains the same and also adds the importance of Ayurveda therapies (Vaji Karana – Aphrodisiac therapies) for improvement of sexual life in men and women.

Ayurveda and its emphasis on sex

a. Sex is an integral part of our daily habits (Dina charya)

b. The ideal time for intimacy is at night, about two hours after dinner

c. An absolutely satisfying sexual union, when developed over time, bestows you and your partner with health and vitality.

d. For best results, each of the partners should be physically and emotionally involved with the other.

e. Touch, smell, food, music and ambience play a vital role in developing, increasing and prolonging intimacy.

Perverted or unsatisfying sex has adverse effects on mental and physical health, as it aggravates the functional elements (doshas) and reduces immunity.

Foods such as milk, meat soup and boiled rice along with ghee, oil, meat juice, sugar and honey improves sexual vigour for both men and women.

1. Abhyanga (Ayurveda full body massage) – Stress is relieved through Abhyanga, a unique method of medicated oil massage, which improves blood circulation, tones up the muscles and relaxes the body.
2. Pizchil or King’s Therapy – The whole body is subjected to streams of lukewarm medicated oil with simultaneous soft massage. More than three liters of medicated oil is used in this method. This therapy protects the body from illnesses and builds up immunity for a healthy life. It is very useful for rheumatic diseases, arthritis, paralysis, sexual weakness, neurological disorders, blood pressure, and nervous weakness and helps to slow down the aging process.
3. Navarakizhi - A massage to the body with small cotton cloth boluses filled with cooked Navara rice after a liberal application of medicated oil. The rice is cooked in cow’s milk and herbal decoction. The boluses are dipped in the same mixture of cow’s milk and herbal decoction and applied all over the body to induce sweat. This procedure is highly rejuvenating, nourishing and prepares the individual to bear the stress and strain of a busy life style. It enhances physical consistency, strengthens the nervous system and improves the overall appearance of the skin. This is a strengthening fomentation employed in neurological disorders, rheumatism, arthritis and malnutrition of limbs. This is very effective in improving sexual health.
4. Ksheera dhara - Herbal milk is poured over the forehead or over the whole body. This is a great therapy for people suffering from headaches from Vata and Pitta predominance, insomnia and mental tension. It improves sexual interest in women

5. Kati Vasti – A specially prepared warm herbal oil is poured over the lower back and retained inside the black gram paste boundary for the required duration. The healing properties of herbal oils used for this therapy deeply cleanses and enriches the blood, builds and maintains strong muscle and connective tissues, and lubricates the joints keeping them flexible and pain free. It alleviates lower back conditions like lumbar spondylosis, inter-vertebral disc prolepse, lumbago (low back ache), and sciatica. It improves nervous function and blood circulation to male/female reproductive organs which in turn improves the sexual functions.

Integrated method to treat diabetes

Several campaigns and awareness programs were held during the past few weeks to celebrate the World Diabetes Day which fell on November 14.More than 120 million people worldwide suffer from Diabetes and an estimated 220 million people will be affected by this silent killer by 2020.

Though allopathic medicine has been the favourite method of treating diabetes, attention is now being drawn to integrated medical systems where a combination of Ayurvedic and Allopathic medicine is used to treat this deadly disease. In countries like China there are even universities such as the College of Integrated Medicine where they practise this system.

Anyway, it seems that people are still not quite sure of this treatment and the majority of them still tend to seek the assistance of Western medicine practitioners. But as Traditional Ayurvedic Consultant Physician, Dr. B.A. Rathnapala of Ropa Ayurvedic Hospital, Kottawa, Mattegoda says more and more diabetic patients seek his assistance to get rid of this deadly disease. Over forty percent out of 6196 patients he treated from January 2005 to January 2008 have got completely cured while others take treatment with much improved conditions.

People may think more lightly of diabetes than of cancer, but it is a known fact that diabetes reduces life expectancy. As the name itself suggests Ayurveda is the science of life and longevity. It not only cures dreadful diseases but acts as a preventive measure as well. As Dr. Rathnapala indicated the three main agents called doshas (Vaata Dosha, Pitha Dosha and Kapha Dosha) are the determinants of the health of the human body. If we are to be healthy those three should be in a balanced state. Also 'Dhatus' should be in balanced state. If not, we are likely to contract diseases very easily.

"According to Ayurveda, diabetes is classified as Kapaja Prameha, Pittaja Prameha and Vataja Prameha. Altogether there are 20 types of diabetes -10 types of Kapaja Prameha, 6 types of Pittaja Prameha and 4 types of Vataja Prameha, Kapaja Prameha is completely curable.

Patients who suffer from Pittaja Prameha have to be under medical treatment during their entire life time. Vataja Prameha cannot be cured. "But if the lifespan of a Vataja Prameha patient who takes western medicine is 5 years, I can assure you that integrated medicine could make their lifespan double.

"What people initially get is diabetes. If it is not treated properly it may develop into diabetic mellitus in the long run. That is really what I am worried about. It is mainly the wrong medical practices and diet patterns that help diabetes to develop into diabetes mellitus."

Dr. B.A. Rathnapala

Showing several medical reports of his patients, he explained how prolonged injection of insulin cause several other complications. "Major issue is hyperlipidaemia (Cholesterol level increase) and Hypertension (pressure)."

"Patients develop such types of complications because insulin is a hormone which produces protein as well. It increases albumin.

It also produces fat (i.e. it improves cholesterol). Another complication is when someone is under insulin, sodium reabsorption of the kidney gets high. As Ayurveda states, 50% of diabetes can be cured. Dr. Rathnapala says that there are three theoretical ways of describing and proving this. "Bala Chikithsa, Ayurvedic scientific view and according to modern physiology .

Bala Chikithsa

"Bala Chikithsa is a treatment used to improve the blood count - a way of improving the bio-energy count of the human body. In fact, it is an ancient treatment practised during my father's time. My father too was a renowned Ayurvedic practitioner and in fact here I use the recipe taken from his Ola leaves." As Dr. Rathnapala says it is essential to give insulin to patients if their sugar level has reached Higher Upper Level (more than 300) "in order to prevent them from getting into a coma." "In such situations insulin is essential to save one's life. But if you continue to rely on insulin for a longer period of time it can even 'end' your life!

Citing examples from his patients he showed how he stopped giving insulin to patients who have sought his medical advice.

"They had been under insulin for a long period. When you continue to inject insulin the pancreas gets depressed and would reduce even the low amount of insulin it produces at the moment. What you should keep in mind is that not almost all diabetic patients need insulin. Only 5% of patients need insulin supplement throughout their lives. But unfortunately, it seems that some of the medical practitioners start injecting insulin to patients without having proper understanding of the type of diabetes the patient is having.

For example, if juvenile diabetics are given insulin from a very early age and in the long run they are likely to develop lots of complications." (This will be further discussed in the course of the article.)

When asked about the unique feature of his treatment, Dr. Rathnapala said that his medicine has the power to stimulate the pancreas, and produce more insulin. So our medicine improves the serum insulin level as well. Through diet and medicine the blood sugar level of patients can be reduced. If not there is no other means to stop injecting insulin. Also ayurvedic medicine contain more anti-oxidants and as such cells always get sufficient amounts of oxygen. Our medicine also rejuvenates' blood."

As mentioned earlier, it is not merely Bala Chikithsa and ayurvedic methods that Dr. Rathnapala make use of. He uses western medicine as well. In fact, it is an integrated method of treating diabetes. "For some patients I give only half a tablet( 2.5 mg) of Glibencamide after stopping injecting insulin. It is the only medicine which could stimulate pancreas. But I do not use it for prolonged periods." "We should make use of all types of medicine to ensure optimum efficacy. Even in China they practise an integrated medical system. Here in Sri Lanka we have even better herbs. In fact, what I want is to introduce my way of treatment to others both in local and international arena. The pill I want to introduce to local and international pharmacies is one made out of 2.5mg of glibencamide combined with three types of herbal medicine."

Ayurvedic medicine-Products of Ropa Ayurveda. Pix Chinthaka Kumarasingha

Dr. Rathnapala has even met President Mahinda Rajapaksa along with his suggestions. "In fact it was Prof. Carlo Fonseka who took me to the President as he was highly impressed by my method of treatment.The President was pleased with my suggestions and he has referred them to the Health Ministry." "There are several patients whom I have cured completely. " he continued. In fact, some of them are even ready to be contacted to share their "miraculous success story'" with others. Among them are 4 doctors Speaker, five ministers, six Members of Parliament, four provincial Council Members, two judges and three senior Police officers."

One of the ways he practises is curing diabetes by enhancing immunity.

There are so many complications of diabetes such as Ischaemic heart disease, renal complication, retinopathy and neuropathy." Ayurveda is specially worried about the heart diseases caused by diabetes.

Ischaemic heart disease arises as a result of insufficient blood supply to the heart. Kidney damage too cannot be overlooked. Diabetes retinopathy is one of the ways that affects your eyes. Initially the focusing power of the eye changes due to swelling of the lens because of the accumulation of sugar and water. Secondly, it may lead to two main eye diseases - cataract and glaucoma. There are four types of diabetic neuropathy- peripheral neuropathy (which most commonly affects feet and legs.), autonomic neuropathy (which most often affects digestive system, blood vessels, urinary system and sex organs), proximal neuropathy and focal neuropathy.

Dr. Rathnapala emphasized the need to get the required tests done. If you have any of the following complications, it is highly advisable to get a test done and check whether you have diabetes.

Excessive thirst and dry mouth, passing large volumes of urine several times a day, rapid weight loss, delayed wound healing, impairment of eye sight, excessive tiredness and if you have a family history of diabetes.

You should be always very careful of what you eat. Your diet should include only the required amount of carbohydrate. The three main causes we should treat are digestive power, serum insulin level and intake of carbohydrate level.

For a diabetes patient medicine, diet and exercise matter alike .

"It is not quite necessary to have rice for dinner. We need rice only in the morning and afternoon. The best thing is to have 'steamed vegetables' for dinner. The best selection would be radish, Ladies fingers, cabbage and fresh pumpkin.

As the doctor emphasized the type of food a patient could eat differs from patient to patient. It depends on one's age, sex, weight and amount of work done per day. "In the case of patients using insulin , it is important that meals are taken at the recommended time.

"Diabetes patients should completely avoid any food item containing sugar, syrups, jaggery, honey, soft drinks (jam, toffees, cake, sweets, juices that contain added sugar, ice cream), condensed milk, yoghurt, curd , and alcoholic drinking, ripe fruits except avocado and papaw." You can moderately take 'par boiled rice', red rice, gram, green gram, soya, cowpea and all items made from rice flour including string hoppers, one egg once a week. 'Mallum,' bitter gourd, ladies fingers, tender green beans, string beans, cabbage, fish, dry fish,sprats, bitter tasting food, food rich with fibre, plantains, papaws and vegetable oils could be added to your meals.

It is highly recommended to take bitter gourd, drumstick leaves, like gotukola, sarana, kankun buds, kohila buds, vel kohila, onion leaves.

Beli leaves and flowers, Ranawara leaves and flowers and Kothalahimbutu are suitable as drinks. It is advisable to take Nelli, semi ripe plantains, madham fruits and Amberella.

"My sincere wish is may all beings be healthy. Finally I would like to extend my gratitude to my late parents, my guru Ambewela Sarananda Thera, K. G. P. Jayatileke, former Director of Institute of Indigenous Medicine; S. D. Dayaratna, Jayantha Kumaranayake and G. W. Ariyadasa (former lecturers of Institute of Indigenous Medicine who helped me achieve this status)." He noted.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Sex Problems

Ayurvedic remedies have been used for treatment in India for over 5000 years. Ayurvedic treatment for sex problem are commonly used to treat problems such as

• Premature ejaculation
• Impotence
• Erectile dysfunction
• Loss of libido

Ayurvedic remedies usually are a combination of various herbs which are known to promote sexual health and general wellbeing of the person.

Ayurveda for Impotence

Impotence in males is comparable to frigidity in females. Some of the symptoms of impotency are inability to perform sex act, or else incomplete performance or failure to reach orgasm while performing sexual act.

Ayurvedic Medicines that are used for treatment to enhance libido/sex desire are known as 'Vajikarma Aushadhis' or aphordisiacs.

• Ayurvedic medicines: Vanari Gutika, Madanananda Modak, Veerya starnbha Vati, Makardhwaja, chandrodaya Rasa, Apatyakar Swaras, Shukra Vallabh Rasa, Kameshwar Modak, Gokhru Pak, Chhoohara hak, Moosali Pak, Badam Pak, Kamadeva chooran, Gokhshurad Chooran, Narsigha Choorna, Madan Prakash chooran, Shatvaryadi choorna, Mritsanjeevani Sura etc are beneficial in impotence.
• Diet Plans: Eat a healthy diet which includes high protein content, eggs, fish ghee, butter, soyabean, green vegetables, fruits, almond and other dry fruits.
• Other useful measures include avoidance of smoking and alcohol consumption, limit the amount of fat and cholesterol in your diet and do regular physical exercise. 

Ayurveda for Loss of Libido

Hectic life style, stress, tension and fatigue are the prime cause for lack of libido and unsatisfactory sexual performance at the present time.

• Various herbal remedies for impotence are Ashwagandharishta, Sri Gopal Taila. 
• Avoid alcohol, smoking and drug addiction, reduce weight, do regular exercise and yoga.
• Get sufficient rest and sleep, reduce stress levels with relaxation techniques and yoga. 

Caution: Several herbal remedies are available for ayurvedic treatment for sex problems. But before taking any of these medicines an Ayurvedic physician must be consulted with regard to dosage, duration, safeguards dietary supplements and the necessary prescription that is requiered before taking any of these ayurvedic medicines to treat sexual problems .

Unani Medicine

Unani-tibb or Unani Medicine also spelled Yunani Medicine (Yūnānī in Arabic, Hindustani, pashto and Persian) means "Greek Medicine", and is a form of traditional medicine widely practiced in South Asia. It refers to a tradition of Graeco-Arabic medicine, which is based on the teachings of Greek physician Hippocrates, and Roman physician Galen, and developed into an elaborate medical System by Arab and Persian physicians, such as Rhazes, Avicenna (Ibn Sena), Al-Zahrawi, and Ibn Nafis.

Unani medicine is based on the concept of the four humours: Phlegm (Balgham), Blood (Dam), Yellow bile (Ṣafrā') and Black bile (Saudā').

Hippocrates

 

 

Galen

Dhammapada

Arogyaparama labha
santutthiparamam dhanam
vissasaparama nati
nibbanam paramam sukham.

 Health is the greatest gift, 

contentment is the greatest wealth, 

a trusted friend is the best relative, 

Nibbana is the greatest bliss.

 The Story of King Pasenadi of Kosala

While residing at the Jetavana monastery, the Buddha uttered Verse (204) of this book, with reference to King Pasenadi of Kosala.
One day, King Pasenadi of Kosala went to the Jetavana monastery after having his full morning meal. It was said that the king had eaten one quarter basket (about half a bushel) of rice with meat curry on that day; so while listening to the Buddha's discourse he felt very sleepy and was nodding most of the time. Seeing him nodding, the Buddha advised him to take a little less rice everyday and to decrease the amount on a sliding scale to the minimum of one-sixteenth part of the original amount he was taking. The king did as he was told and found that by eating less he became thin, but he felt very much lighter and enjoyed much better health. When he told the Buddha about this, the Buddha said to him, "O king! Health is a great boon; contentment is a great wealth; a close and trusted friend is the best relative; Nibbana is the greatest bliss."

Ayurveda in Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan tradition of Ayurveda is very similar to the Indian tradition. Practitioners of Ayurveda in Sri Lanka refer to texts on the subject written in Sanskrit, which are common to both countries. However, they do differ in some aspects, particularly in the herbs used.

The Sri Lankan government has established a Ministry of Indigenous Medicine (established in 1980) to revive and regulate the practice within the country The Institute of Indigenous Medicine (affiliated to the University of Colombo) currently offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and MD degrees in the practice of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery, and similar degrees in unani medicine.

There are currently 62 Ayurvedic Hospitals and 208 central dispensaries in the public system, and they served almost 3 million people (approximately 11 percent of Sri Lanka's total population) in 2010. In total there are currently approximately 20,000 registered practitioners of Ayurveda in the country.

Many Sri Lankan hotels and resorts offer Ayurveda themed packages, where guests are treated to a wide array of Ayurveda treatments during their stay.

Benefits of Ayurvedic Oil Massage

Abhyanga (Sanskrit: अभ्यंग or अभ्यङ्ग "Oil Massage") is a form of Ayurvedic medicine that involves massage of the body with large amounts of warm oil. The oil is often pre-medicated with herbs for specific conditions. Abhyanga can be done as part of the steps of panchakarma therapy, especially in the first stage: Purva Karma (pre-treatment), or as its own therapy. It is often followed by svedana therapy, a warm bath, yoga or laying out in the sun. Many times abhyanga is performed by two or more massage therapists working in sync but it can also be done by oneself. Oils used can vary depending on the season and the individuals constitution (dosha) but commonly used oils include sesame, coconut, sunflower, mustard and almond. In addition to the oil abhyanga massage differs from many Western massage techniques in that it is not very deep.

Various benefits of Ayurvedic massage include reduction in stress, rejuvenation of the body, vitality and complete serenity. Apart from being a branch of therapy, Ayurveda is considered to be a spiritual way of life. It shows how to find and connect to your inner self. It is very important to note that you receive the massage from a professional in this field. Massages vary from one person to another and is highly customized according to body type. Ayurvedic massage therapy should be undertaken whenever you want to break free from your stressful life.

 

Introduction Of Ayurveda And History

The word Ayurveda has derived from AYU and VEDA. AYU means life VEDA means Science or knowledge. That means the science of life. Charaka defines "That science is designated as Ayurveda where advantageous and disadvantageous as well as happy and unhappy states of life along with what is good and bad for life, its measurement and the life itself are described " (Charaka Sutra 1 - 4) Ayurveda embrace all living things, animate and inanimate. It is divided into three main branches Viz. Nara Ayurveda dealing with human life, Satva Ayurveda the science dealing with animal life and its diseases,Vriksha Ayurveda the science dealing with plant life its growth and diseases. When one goes deep into the science of Ayurveda, it is clear that this is not only a system of medicine but a way of living for complete positive health and spiritual attainments. Ayurveda believes that the highest wealth one get is health. Righteous life, (Dharma), Wealth (Artha), fulfillment of desires (Kama) and attainment of salvation (Moksha), all these four factors depends on a healthy life. Swasthya (Health) is defined as (a) Dosha Dhatu samya (well balanced metabolism) plus (b) Prasanna Atma, Indriya, Manah (a happy state of the being, the senses and the mind) sense here mean the five organs of perception Gana Indriya (smell, taste, sight, touch, and hearing) coupled with the organs of action Karma Indriya namely mouth, hands and feet, organs of excretion and reproduction.
The origin of ayurveda dates back to the Vedic era. Some historians say that ayurveda is a part of Atharva Veda. In Athavaveda too there are hyms which mention medicine for various diseases. Medicines like Accorus calamus, Phylanthantus embolic are mentioned. The systematized form of ayurveda dates back to the Rishi conference which was held in the place called Chityarata in the foot hills of Mount Himalaya. The great book on ayurveda Characa Samhita gives a detail description of the Rishi conference Rishis are great learned people like the great scientists of today. But with a deference. They are enlightened and refined persons who are absolutely free from the predominance of Rajas and Tama by virtue of the power of penance and knowledge and who are always in possession of an uninterrupted knowledge pertaining to past, present and future and known as authorities (Aptaos). They are also known as gentleman (Sista) and enlightened (Vibudha) persons and their words are considered free beyond any doubt. When diseases were more prevalent these learned scientist called all the scientists of India and neighboring countries like Sri Lanka and of Greater India. A list of the names of scientists who attended the conference is also given in Charaka Samhita. At this conference all the scattered knowledge was collected and 8 schools of thoughts were originated. The main are the school of internal medicine, school of surgery and school of pediatrics. Agniveshas book on internal medicine became the authoritative text. Today it is known as Characa samhita. Susruta's book on surgery became the authoritative text of that subject. Kashyapa's book on paediatrics became the standard book of the subject. There were books written on other subjects like toxicology, ENT diseases etc; but they are lost and are unable to find to in this day. Nevertheless certain portions of some of these books are found.
Similar books were written on veterinary science. The voluminous book on diseases of elephants and there training is called Palakaypa samhita. The book on diseases of horses is called Shalihotra Samhita and it contains 12000, verses 12000 is also the number of verses in Charaka Samhita. The similarity does not end with number of verses, just as Ayurveda is divided into 8 sections this science has also been divided in to 8 sections This Shalihotra Samhita has been translated into Persian, Arabic, Tibetan and English. The Persian translation dating as early as 1387 AD. The section describing the diseases of cattle is called Gava Ayurveda. Senaakayurveda is the science of birds and training of hawks. The book written on plants, their diseases, propagation etc; is called the Upavana vinoda. Thus this is the first historical record, perhaps in the whole world of systematizing the medical knowledge. Knowledge that had come down, till then, as a living tradition traced either from a divine origin or from the findings of the deep thought meditation of sages or from the instinct, experiment and experience of generations of humanity. The 8 branches of Ayurveda are as follows

Kayachikitsa – Internal medicine.

Salya tantra – surgery.

Salakya tantra – E.N.T. diseases.

Kumara tantra – pediatrics coupled with midwifery.

Agada tantara – toxicology.

Buta vidya – psychology and spiritual healing.

Rasayana tantra – geriatrics

Vajikarana – aphrodisiac medicine coupled with eugenics.

Just as the modern medicine is based on physics, Chemistry, Botany, and Zoology. Ayurveda is based on Indian or Hindu Philosophy. The theory of macrocosm and microcosm. That is the man is an epitome of the greater universe. It believes that the matter is composed of five elements (Panchamaha buta).They are Prithvi (earth or hardness), AP (water or liquid), Theja (fire or energy), Vayu (gases state of matter) and Akasha (ethereal state of matter). It is said that matter to exist there should be Kala (time) and Dik (space). With the addition of Manas (mind) and Atma (soul), the matter becomes animate. These9 components are called the Nithyadravyas or eternal elements.It is very difficult to give exact English equivalents to there highly technical Sanskrit terms. In the universe there are the sun, moon and wind, in the same manner in all living things there are the motion, the liquid component, and the heat or energy component. They are called Vatha, Kapha and Pittha respectively. The human body is composed of Pancha maha butas ie the five basic elements. In the human body they are explained in terms of Dosha, Dhatu, and Mala. Life is the union of body, sense organs, mind and soul.The dosha are vata, pitta, kapha. The 7 Dhatus are Rasa (chyle or nutrient fluid), Rakta (blood), Mansa (muscle tissue), and Medas (fats), Asthi (bone, connective tissue), Asthi majja (bone marrow) and Shukra (reproductiveelements or the vital substance). The three main Malas or excretions are purisha (faces) mutra (urine) and sweda (sweat). The doshas when exist in dynamic equilibrium help to maintain the human body in a healthy condition. Then they are called Dhatus. Any disturbance in this equilibrium causes malfunction and results in disease. In that event they are called Doshas. Thus Vata, Pitta, Kapha, are alternatively called Dhatu or Dosha depending on the effect they have on the functioning of the body. The root Va is derived from va-gati gandaya ie which has motion. Vata – This initiates and promotes biological activity responsible for all the movements of the body. It is of five types.

Prana vata – controls the functions of salivation, eructation, sneezing, respiration, etc.more or less it comprises the functions of the respiratory system.

Udana vata - having phonation as the main function.

Samana vata – regulating the gastric secretion, retaining food in the stomach or intestine for the required time and helping its absorption..

Vyana vayu – control pulsation of heart and circulation of blood.

Apana vayu - controlling the function of elimination of semen, urine faces, feouts etc.

Pitta responsible for generation of heat and all the actions of digestion and metabolism. It is derived from the root Tapa Santhapa which means heat or energy.

There are 5 types of Pittas:

Paachaka pitta – responsible for digestion and metabolism of food.

Ranjaka pitta – resides in liver and converts rasa (chyle) into rakta (blood).

Brajaka pitta – resides in the skin and provides pigments to the skin.

Sadaka pitta – resides in the brain and responsible for the intelligence and ego.

Alochaka pitta - resides in the retina of the eye and gives vision.

Kapha (Sleshma) – The main function of kapha is to give nutrition to the body tissues and achieves. It is derived from the root slish – Alingana meaning adhering.

It is also of 5 types:

Kledaka kapha – moistening the food injested in the mouth.

Avalumbaka kapha – provides nutrition to the heart.

Bodhaka kapha – resides in the tongue and percive the taste.

Slesaka kapha – lubricating the joints for there proper functioning.

Tarpaka kapha – giving nutrition to the mental faculties.

Just as the body is governed by the three doshas, the mind is also governed by three attributes (guna) mental doshas. They are called Sathva’ Rajas and Thamas. Sathva is responsible for righteous and kind thoughts and feelings. Rajas is for arrogance, desire, love and passion. Thmas is for sleep, stupour, ignorance. All food, behavior, thoughts and medicine will increase, decrease or neutralize the mental and physicaldoshas.
Dravya or matter has five properties. They are Rasa (Taste), Guna (quality), Virya (potency ie cold or hear), Vipaka (the substance that formes after digestion and metabolism) and Prabha (the specific power of a substance). According to Ayurvedic physiology the body is formed with billions of cells and these cells are constantly changing and therefore every moment the man is changing, because of numerous cells there are numerous channels. These channels are called Srothas means path ways which many things can flow. Through these channels nutritious substances, chemicals and wast products flow. If the flow is deranged then there is stagnation and this will give rise to hypo or hyper function of that part of the body or organ and give rise to pathological conditions. Derangment can cause stagnation, (sanga) overflowing (ati pravrti), flowing in the wrong direction (vimarga gamana) or dilatation of the channels(Sira granti).
Disease is defined as Dukkha samyoga ie contact with dukkha. Dukkha means physical discomfort, pain or suffering as well as mental anguish including the pangs of jealousy, fear, anger, avarice, hate, treachery, passion, love, hate etc,

Diseases are caused due to

Asatma – indriya – artha – samyoga ie. Not using the five sense organs in the correct way i.e. wrong use, exessive use, or not using them at all. Pragnaparadha ie; intellectual blaspheme which means indulging in wrong things knowing very well that it leads to destruction of health. Parinama which means diseases caused by seasonal changes.

Disease is fourfold:

Aganthuka - adventitious.

Sharirika - physical.

Manasika - mental.

Svabhavika - natural.

The agantuka diseases results from external factors, cuts, bites, stings, injuries, accidents etc.; the physical diseases consist of internal ailments nutritional and metabolic imbalance, growths, inflammation and so forth. The manasika (mental) diseases in ayurveda includes the state of anger and wrath, pride and vanity, greed and avaisce, treachery, falsehood, indiscipline and uncurbed desires, hate, fear, cruelty, distress, sorrow, anxiety, unhappiness, laziness, etc; along with insanity epilepsy and so forth. The natural diseases cover birth, natural old age, death, natural hunger, thirst and natural sleep.

For clear diagnosis five points have to be studied intensively.

AHetu - the causative factors.

Purva rupa - the premonitory symptoms..

Rupa - the symptoms.

Samprapthi - the pattern of combination of the vitiated doshas.

Upasaya - whether the disease is responding or not to the medicaments.

The Ayurvedic treatment consist of three factors they are.

Ahara - food.

Vihara - mental and physical behavior.

Aushadha - medicine.

The definition of the Ayurvedic treatment covers the widest possible prophylactic and therapeutic approaches conceived by any system of medicine. It says “A salubrious use of a drug (Aushadha) diet (Anna) and practices (Vihara) prescribed jointly and severally

contrary to the cause of the disease.

contrary to the disease itself or

contrary to both the cause and the disease or

similar to the cause of the disease or

similar to the disease or

similar or both the cause and the disease, constitutes treatment.

The treatment is of two types:

Description:Swasthasya urjakara ie the treatment which promotes and safeguards the existing health. Aphrodisiac and geriatric medicine comes under this.
Description:Arthasya roganuth ie the treatment for the sick. It covers prophylactive and curative medicine. This is done by two methods, they are :

(A) Shodhana the cleaning or eliminating the morbid factors from the body by the five purifecatory procedures. This is done in three phases ie pre operative, operative and post operative stages. Pre operative stage is the oblation and sudation therapy, in this phase the patient is given various oils internally and externally, and various types of sudations. By these processes the morbid factors are loosened and removed or brought to the stomach or the elementary cannal. Operative stage is the removing of the thus loosened morbid doshas by

Vamana – ematics.

Virechana – purgatives.

Nashya – nasal inhalations.

Vasti – enemas.

Rakta mokshana – blood letting and cupping.

The post operative stage is the gradual administration of food from simple gruel to solid food.

(B) Shamana which means palliative treatment - This is done by –

Diet control.

Fasting.

Exposing to the rays of the sun and wind .

Various exercise yoga.

Medicine.

It is said that the best treatment is Nidana Parivarjana ie to eschews from the causative factors. For treatment there should be four components. They are the physician, patient, nurse and the medicine. In Ayurvedic text the qualities of the above four are practical knowledge, kind and not greedy of wealth. The patient should be obedient and have faith in the doctor. Nurse should be kind, clean. The medicine should be of variety and of proven effectiveness.
In Charaka samhita it is stated that the physician should not hesitate to learn even from an enemy and went to the extent of saying that there is nothing in the world which cannot be taken as medicine. It is surprising to note that before 3000 years ago they knew that anemia is caused due to iron deficiency. Night blindness was treated with liver. Marasums was treated with liver and meat. In Susrutha samhita 20 sharp and 101 blunt instruments are described and the surgeon was given the option of modifying or inventing any for skin grafting, cataract operation, operations in the gut, gall bladder, bladder and many other surgical methods.
In the olden days the course of medical education ran through a period of 7 years. Susrutha samhita describes how a medical student should do dissection on dead bodies. Certain points high lightened by Susruta are worth mentioning because every single word mentioned in these stanzas holds true till today.These are direct translations of the Sanskrit text “Patients in whom there is a break in the continuity of tissues should always be protected from dangerous and invisible creatures.”
“The powerfully virulent and harmful organisms, to whom flesh and blood is very dear, invade and patients tissues through the portals of entry of ulcers and wounds.”
“When flies come and drop the invisible organisms on the wound flourish on it and a severely painful swelling appears.
“The surgical instruments should be used only after having been heated in the fire.”
“The surgeon should make efforts so that in compound fracture, infection does not supervene. Because suppuration of muscles, ligaments, vessels and nerves lead to great difficulties in the healing of fractures.” (Susruta).

This is how Susruta describes the sharpness of surgical instruments and how to handle.

“When the blade of the knife has been made so sharp that it can slice the hair into two, the different parts of the instruments have been fixed properly, the adjustments regarding the measurements have been done correctly and it has been held in the proper way, only then should it be used in surgical operations.”
In Ayurveda great emphasis have given to pharmacy. Drug action, poisonous properties, benefits and hazards of long term use, dosage, expiry period of the potency and many other aspects are described.
In the treatment more emphasis is given to the patient than to the diseasesè All living beings are divided into three main psycho-somatic types They are called Prakurti. The main three are Vataprakurti, Pittaprakurti and Kaphaprakurti. These prakurties or psycho-somatic types have unique characteristics and some diseases are prone to occur in some types, for example vatic disorders or diseases of the nervous system can occur more easily on a vataprakurti man. According to Ayurveda even one can not name a disease still, can treat if he could find out the nature of imbalance occurred in the body. This can be known by observation, interrogation and palpation. The unique pattern of the unbalance of dhosa is called the “Melaka vishesa.”
Charaka Samhita has described about 600 items as medicine. This book has been translated to many languages like English, Persian, Arabic, Sinhalese, Japanese and many Indian languages. Susruta Samhita, the book on surrery mentions 1120 disease conditions and 573 items used as medicine. This book is also translated into many languages. Though these books are written over three thousand years ago, still they are in use.
Buddhism has contributed a great deal to the development of Ayurveda. With the spread of Buddhism, the temples became the institutes of higher studies; they were gradually converted to universities. Amongst these universities Taksasila, Kasi, Nalanda have earned fame. The best account of the universities is furnished by the two Chinese pilgrims to India. Yuan Chwang who traveled in India for 16 years ie. 629 to 645 A.D. as a student of Buddhism of which he spent 5 years at Alana University and It Sang spent 10 years i.e. 675 to 685 AD. As a student there. Taxila University was flourishing in the 7th century BC. Historians have said that students from foreign countries like Babylonia, Misra (Egypt), Syria, Arabia, China and Greece have come to learn philosophy and medicine in Indian Universities. These have flourished from 450 AD to 12th century AD.
Descriptions of Chinese travelers who toured India in the 5thcenturies fully corroborate the fact of hospitals being an established institution in India of those days. Fa Hien (405 – 11 AD) describes the charitable dispensaries. He says thus a hospital of Pataliputra (Patna) “The nobles and householders of this country have founded hospitals within the city to which the poor of all countries, the destitute, the cripple and physicians inspect their diseases, and according to their cases order them food and drink and medicine or decoctions, every thing in fact that may contribute to their ease, when cured they depart at their convenience. “ Huen Tsang’s account (610 – 650 AD) that the king Siladitya II was inclined towards Buddhism and in all the high ways of the towns, villages throughout India created hospitals, provided with food and drink and stationed physicians with medicines for travelers and poor persons round about to be given without any stint.
The history of Sri Lanka records a lot of information in how the kings took up the erection and maintenance of hospitals as their chief duty. From the great chronicle of history the Maha vansa we gather that in 4376 BC king Pandukabhaya constructed hospitals. King Duttu Gemunu (161 BC) has built hospitals at 18 different places and maintained them with state coffers. At the same time it is interested to note that the earliest hospital In Europe the Maison Dieu of Paris is said to have been opened in the 7t century. The ancient text on Ayurveda have gone into minute details of how a hospital should be built, how beds should be arranged, about the cloths the patient should wear, how his cleanings should be kept by trimming the hair, cutting the nails etc. It has gone to the extent of describing how the floral arrangement should be in a room of a patient. King Buddhadasa (498 – 426 AD) was an eminent physician himself built hospitals for the sick people and animals. He is also credited with the compilation of Sarathasamgrahaya a compendium of all existing handbooks composed in Sanskrit.