pathoscribe

Written by Srivalli Adarapu | Art by Anoushka Pandya

Dating back to over 5000 years ago, Ayurveda is considered the oldest system of medicine in the world that is still practiced to this day. Ayurvedic medicine has laid the foundation for the field of medicine and has influenced many traditional medical systems throughout the world, from China and Tibet to Persia and Arabia. Ayurveda’s holistic approach to medicine distinguishes it from other systems of medicine, viewing the body as an interconnected whole and considering all aspects of one’s life before diagnosing a medical condition. While Western medicine is widely practiced worldwide over other such systems, it’s crucial to appreciate and recognize the roots of medicine found in Ayurveda.

Ayurveda initially spread across India through the Vedas, ancient Sanskrit scriptures that formed the foundations of Hinduism. Ayurvedic practices were then circulated throughout the country through oral tradition. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma formed the ideologies of Ayurveda and passed them down through sages. The current understanding of Ayurveda comes from the texts found in Brihat Trayi, which translates to the “greatest trio” in Sanskrit. It consists of three texts: Charak Samhita, Sushurta Samhita, and Ashtanga Hridaya. The Charak Samhita focuses on internal medicine while the Sushurta Samhita goes over surgical practices. The Ashtanga Hridaya combines teachings from both of the aforementioned texts to provide a complete overview of Ayurveda.

Ayurveda greatly contrasts with Western medicine in both its practices and approaches. First, Ayurveda doesn’t direct attention to symptoms unlike Western medicine, but rather views them as warnings of an imbalance in the body’s internal homeostasis, both mentally and physically. It further prioritizes preventing medical conditions by maintaining bodily balance. Additionally, Ayurveda focused heavily on maintaining a proper diet, as it recognizes the influence of nutrition on health. In fact, the NIH states that nearly 11 million deaths every year are associated with health complications stemming from a poor diet. Ayurveda also personalizes its treatments through the concept of Prakriti, which suggests that each individual has a unique combination of doshas–internal energies that shape one’s mental and physical state–and other factors. Therefore, Ayurveda aims to understand a person as a whole, gaining comprehensive insights before prescribing a medical solution.

Ayurveda moreover consists of some spiritual principles that influence its practices. In Ayurveda, the universe is believed to consist of five elements—fire, water, earth, air, and space—which influence the doshas.

Ayurveda is now a traditional system of medicine in over 30 countries. Nevertheless, while it is still practiced in many areas, it’s largely overshadowed by popular Western medical practices. Instead of neglecting this ancient study of medicine, we can seek to integrate Ayurveda into our daily health practices. For instance, we can choose a natural remedy over an over-the-counter medication, which often consists of chemicals that can lead to numerous unwanted side effects. We can also prioritize a healthy diet as a preventative measure to health complications. When identifying causes for a medical condition, we should thoroughly consider all factors in our lives that may contribute to an imbalance in the body. Let us honor the origins of medicine found in Ayurveda rather than overlooking its knowledge!

Works Cited:

“Where Does Ayurveda Come From? | Taking Charge of Your Wellbeing.” Taking Charge of Your Wellbeing, http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/where-ayurveda-come-from.

Admin. “Ayurveda: A Brief Introduction and Guide.” Ayurveda, 8 Jan. 2024, ayurveda.com/ayurveda-a-brief-introduction-and-guide.
“Principles of Ayurveda.” Everest Ayurveda, 25 May 2023, http://www.everest-ayurveda.com/principles-ayurveda.

Jaiswal, Yogini S, and Leonard L Williams. “A glimpse of Ayurveda – The forgotten history and principles of Indian traditional medicine.” Journal of traditional and complementary medicine vol. 7,1 50-53. 28 Feb. 2016, doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.02.002