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Line 1: + + − Ayurveda literally means "Knowledge of life". The careful, critical and unbiased study of the classical Ayurveda texts show that by the time [[Samhita]]-granthas were compiled, the Science and Art of Ayurveda had already passed through the stage of specialization and, knowledge flowing from different specialized fields of medicine and allied sciences generalized, simplified and principles enunciated.<ref> Dwarakanath C. Preface to Introduction to Kayachikitsa. Chaukhambha Orientalia;1996.Third Edition;Varanasi.</ref> Thus, Ayurveda is referred as Science and Art of life. The practice of Ayurveda as a form of medicine dates back to 3000 BC. + − + − Out of the four vedas – Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda - physicians owe their loyalty to the Atharva Veda because this deals with the treatment of diseases by resorting to various practices like sacrifices, prayers, and chants, charity, moral discipline, the atonement of sins, austere practices like fasts, etc. These are advocated for treatment as well as for living a healthy, long life. Line 14:
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→Efficacy of Ayurveda in contemporary era
Ayurveda literally means "Knowledge of life" or "Science of life".<ref>Official document by World Health Organization on Benchmarks for training Ayurveda available from https://www.who.int/medicines/areas/traditional/BenchmarksforTraininginAyurveda.pdf accessed on 30/05/2020</ref> This life-care and healthcare system deals with good, bad, blissful and sorrowful life. It describes all wholesome and unwholesome for life, longevity, and about what Ayu (life) is in itself. [[Deerghanjiviteeya Adhyaya#Definition of Ayurveda|(Cha.Su.1/41)]] It is not merely a system of medicine, rather it is a way of life to increase lifespan by preventing or delaying the aging process. <ref>Sharma H., Chandola H.M., Singh G., Basisht G. Utilization of Ayurveda in health care: an approach for prevention, health promotion, and treatment of disease. Part 1 – Ayurveda in primary health care. J Altern Complement Med. 2007;13(9):1011–1019.</ref>
==What is Ayurveda?==
==What is Ayurveda?==
The careful, critical and unbiased study of the classical Ayurveda texts show that by the time [[Samhita]]-granthas were compiled, the Science and Art of Ayurveda had already passed through the stage of specialization and, knowledge flowing from different specialized fields of medicine and allied sciences generalized, simplified and principles enunciated.<ref> Dwarakanath C. Preface to Introduction to Kayachikitsa. Chaukhambha Orientalia;1996.Third Edition;Varanasi.</ref> Thus, Ayurveda is referred to as Science and Art of life. The practice of Ayurveda as a form of medicine dates back to 3000 BC.
==Source of Ayurveda==
==Source of Ayurveda==
There are four major ancient Indian compendiums of knowledge (veda) named Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda. Rigveda (2000 BC) is the oldest recorded document regarding use of plants as medicine in India, and this tradition continued in another ancient text, Atharvaveda (1500-1000 BC), which described more plants and introduced basic concepts.<ref>Official document by World Health Organization on Benchmarks for training Ayurveda available from https://www.who.int/medicines/areas/traditional/BenchmarksforTraininginAyurveda.pdf accessed on 30/05/2020</ref> Ayurveda physicians owe their loyalty to the Atharva Veda because this deals with the treatment of diseases by resorting to various practices like sacrifices, prayers, and chants, charity, moral discipline, the atonement of sins, austere practices like fasts, etc. These are advocated for treatment as well as for living a healthy, long life.
Thus,it is sourced as Upaveda from Atharva veda.[[Arthedashmahamooliya Adhyaya#Source of Ayurveda|(Cha.Su.30/21)]]
Thus,it is sourced as Upaveda from Atharva veda.[[Arthedashmahamooliya Adhyaya#Source of Ayurveda|(Cha.Su.30/21)]]
Thus ''Ayu'' means the ''anuvritti'' (continuity) of ''chetana'' (consciousness) i.e., ''chetananuvritti'', being alive (''jeevita''), bonding with the body (''anubandha'') and sustenance of life (''dhari'').[[Arthedashmahamooliya Adhyaya#The meaning of Ayu|(Cha.Su.30/22)]].
Thus ''Ayu'' means the ''anuvritti'' (continuity) of ''chetana'' (consciousness) i.e., ''chetananuvritti'', being alive (''jeevita''), bonding with the body (''anubandha'') and sustenance of life (''dhari'').[[Arthedashmahamooliya Adhyaya#The meaning of Ayu|(Cha.Su.30/22)]].
Life is not merely the existence of machine like physical structure of body. The conscious interaction of soul, mind and sense organs makes it live. Therefore these are essential components of Ayurvedic biology of human beings.
Life is not merely the existence of machine-like physical structure of body. The conscious interaction of soul, mind and sense organs makes it live. Therefore these are essential components of Ayurvedic biology of human beings.
== Scope of Ayurveda ==
== Scope of Ayurveda ==
== Objective of Ayurveda ==
== Objective of Ayurveda ==
The prime objectives of this science is to preserve the health of the healthy and cure the disease of the unhealthy.[[Arthedashmahamooliya Adhyaya#Objectives of Ayurveda|(Cha.Su.30/26)]] Thus Ayurveda focuses on preservation and promotion of health at first and then management of diseases.
The prime objectives of this science is to preserve the health of the healthy and cure the disease of the unhealthy.[[Arthedashmahamooliya Adhyaya#Objectives of Ayurveda|(Cha.Su.30/26)]] Thus Ayurveda focuses on the preservation and promotion of health and management of diseases.
== Authenticity and eternal qualities of Ayurveda ==
== Authenticity and eternal qualities of Ayurveda ==
Ayurveda is eternal because of the following: It has no beginning; its characteristics are self-evident, and those of things dealt with it are eternal. It has been seen that Ayu (the combination of body, its organs, mind, and soul) and intelligence about Ayu (knowledge about Ayu) are perpetual. Hence Ayu and its knowledge (i.e. Ayurveda) have been eternal. The knower becomes eternal after knowing Ayurveda. Concepts such as happiness and suffering (i.e., health and illness), therapeutics and pathogens, etc. - their causes, signs, and perpetuation are all eternal. This is what is described in Ayurveda.[[Arthedashmahamooliya Adhyaya#Eternal qualities of Ayurveda|(Cha.Su.30/27)]] It is observed in clinical practice that the principles described in Ayurveda texts are universal, time tested and stand true on scientific validation tests. For example Samanya Vishesha siddhanta is applicable universally with immense importance.<ref> Pandey Deep Narayan , Pandey Neha Prakash. Universal significance of the principle of Samanya and Vishesha beyond Ayurveda.Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine.2018;9(4),308-311. available online from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0975947617305727 </ref>
Ayurveda is eternal because of the following: It has no beginning; its characteristics are self-evident, and those of things dealt with it are eternal. It has been seen that Ayu (the combination of body, its organs, mind, and soul) and intelligence about Ayu (knowledge about Ayu) are perpetual. Hence Ayu and its knowledge (i.e. Ayurveda) have been eternal. The knower becomes eternal after knowing Ayurveda. Concepts such as happiness and suffering (i.e., health and illness), therapeutics and pathogens, etc. - their causes, signs, and perpetuation are all eternal. This is what is described in Ayurveda.[[Arthedashmahamooliya Adhyaya#Eternal qualities of Ayurveda|(Cha.Su.30/27)]] It is observed in clinical practice that the principles described in Ayurveda texts are universal, time tested and stand true on scientific validation tests. For example Samanya Vishesha siddhanta is applicable universally with immense importance.<ref> Pandey Deep Narayan , Pandey Neha Prakash. Universal significance of the principle of Samanya and Vishesha beyond Ayurveda.Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine.2018;9(4),308-311. available online from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0975947617305727 </ref>
== Eight specialties of Ayurveda ==
== Eight specialties of Ayurveda ==
#[https://aiia.gov.in/| All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi]
#[https://aiia.gov.in/| All India Institute of Ayurveda, New Delhi]
The list of institutes that conduct above courses can be found [[https://www.ccimindia.org/colleges-ayurveda2016-17.php|here]].
The list of institutes that conduct above courses can be found [https://www.ccimindia.org/colleges-ayurveda2016-17.php| here].
==Efficacy of Ayurveda in contemporary era==
Ample evidence is found through researches on various topics of Ayurveda to show safety and efficacy. It can be seen in the vidhi vimarhsa section of each chapter of this [[Charak Samhita New Edition]].
Sharma H. et.al. has studied and analyzed over 130 research works to observe efficacy of Ayurveda in healthcare management. It is concluded that the Ayurveda therapies are time tested as a natural health care system and comprehensively treat the patient as a whole. Research over the last 100 years has shown encouraging results of various ailments, especially chronic disorders.<ref>Sharma H., Chandola H.M., Singh G., Basisht G. Utilization of Ayurveda in health care: an approach for prevention, health promotion, and treatment of disease. Part 2 – Ayurveda in primary health care. J Altern Complement Med. 2007;13(10):1135–1150.</ref>
==Publications==
==Publications==
The compendiums [[Charak Samhita]], [https://dharmawiki.org/index.php/Sushruta_Samhita_(%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE)| Sushruta Samhita] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagbhata| Ashtanga Hridayam] are three major [[Samhita]](compendiums) of Ayurveda.
The compendiums [[Charak Samhita]], [https://dharmawiki.org/index.php/Sushruta_Samhita_(%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BE)| Sushruta Samhita] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagbhata| Ashtanga Hridayam] are three major [[Samhita]](compendiums) of Ayurveda.
The Madhav Nidana, Bhavaprakash and Sharangadhara Samhita are followed as three other important texts. The texts are published online by National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage, Hyderabad, India.<ref> Available from http://niimh.nic.in/</ref>
The Madhav Nidana, Bhavaprakash and Sharangadhara Samhita are followed as three other important texts. The texts are published online by National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage, Hyderabad, India.<ref> Available from http://niimh.nic.in/ accessed on May 01, 2019 </ref>
===Books===
===Books===
In India, research in Ayurveda is undertaken by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_AYUSH| Ministry of AYUSH], through a national network of research institutes.<ref> Available from Official website of Central Council of Research in Ayurvedic Sciences [http://ccras.nic.in/] accessed on April 05, 2019 </ref>. Peer reviewed journals like [http://www.ayujournal.org| AYU] and [http://www.ancientscienceoflife.org| Ancient Science of life] publish research articles on various topics of Ayurveda. The database like [http://ayushportal.nic.in| AYUSH research portal] and [http://www.dharaonline.org| Digital Helpline for Ayurveda Research Articles (DHARA)] are available for searching more than 10000 research articles published on Ayurveda. A [https://www.researches-in-ayurveda.co.in/ directory for researches in Ayurveda] comprising more than 20000 research titles and 1000 complete post graduate theses on Ayurveda is published online.
In India, research in Ayurveda is undertaken by the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_AYUSH| Ministry of AYUSH], through a national network of research institutes.<ref> Available from Official website of Central Council of Research in Ayurvedic Sciences [http://ccras.nic.in/] accessed on April 05, 2019 </ref>. Peer reviewed journals like [http://www.ayujournal.org| AYU] and [http://www.ancientscienceoflife.org| Ancient Science of life] publish research articles on various topics of Ayurveda. The database like [http://ayushportal.nic.in| AYUSH research portal] and [http://www.dharaonline.org| Digital Helpline for Ayurveda Research Articles (DHARA)] are available for searching more than 10000 research articles published on Ayurveda. A [https://www.researches-in-ayurveda.co.in/ directory for researches in Ayurveda] comprising more than 20000 research titles and 1000 complete post graduate theses on Ayurveda is published online.
==Researches==
Ayurveda as a healthcare system can restore the innate intelligence of the body and awareness for healing. Ayurvedic therapies can affect both the genetic and phenotypic expression of life. It can be appreciated through the science of epigenetics. The epigenetic factors in life affect the phenotype in a positive or negative way, and indirectly affect the genetic expression in a positive or negative way, which can be transmitted to the progeny. Ayurveda covers both aspects of life – genetic and phenotypic – and is a comprehensive, holistic, and personalized system of health care.<ref>Sharma H. Ayurveda: Science of life, genetics, and epigenetics. AYU [serial online] 2016 [cited 2019 Jun 3];37:87-91. Available from: http://www.ayujournal.org/text.asp?2016/37/2/87/217789</ref>
==External links==
==External links==