Ayurveda is the
science of health and healing practiced by the ancient Aryan.
This science is based on the Athara Veda on of the
oldest scriptures of the Hindus which is about 3,500 years old.This
is an encyclopedia of ancient medical medicine. Ayurveda
broken down in to two words means ayu- life and Veda-knowledge
.Ayurveda further benefits the knowledge of life,
shows how to utilize our life fully and to extend our life span.
According to legend Brahma the creator of the universe also created
Ayurveda which in its original form had a 100,000
verse. A god called Daksha Prajapati developed the
science as learnt from Brahma and two twin brothers Bardavaja
and Dhanvantari who were both gods and humans
further developed Ayurveda in to medicine and Surgery.
Finally a human being called Charaka Samitha, the
book of medicines like wise a surgical book was developed and is
now called the Sushruta Samitha.
Pancha
Bautik theory( Theory of five basic elements)
This theory is the base for all subsequent theories .The five basic
elements are solidity, Fluidity, Warmth, Airiness and Space (matter).
The whole universe consists of these five elements and there elements
are broken down in to the Wata, Pira and
Kapha Theory. Wata is airiness and
space. Pitta is warmth and kapha is
solidity and fluidity. This now brings us to the Tridosha
theory or the ancient triple method .Wata, Pita
and Kapha. The Tridoshas are organic material entities
in control of all organic creation and are responsible for birth,
existence and death. The Genealogy of the Tridosha
theory can be traced to ancient Vedic times. It is vast in its teaching.
The Tridosha are once again connected to the Sapta
Dahtu Theory or the theory of seven bodily elements namely
Rasa which is the plasma which nourishes
the Rakhta blood which sustains life and Mansa which
is the flesh that embraced the skeletal structure. Meda
the fat that greases the limbs ,eye , nose and nourishes large and
small bones then the Asthi which is bone and cartilage
maintains an erect bodily structure and Majja which
is the bone marrow gives strength and nourishment to the seminal
fluid and finally Sukra the reproductive elements
giving strength and joy, plus a capacity to procreate.
Sri
Lanka Ayurveda is said to have been practiced during
the reign of King Pandukabhaya 4th century B.C definitely
would have developed during king Devanampiyatissa
reign in the 3rd century B.C.With the arrived of Arahat
Mahinda and Sangamitta Theri who brought
with them the expertise and knowledge of the Indian civilization
of that time. During Devanampiyatissa's reign hospitals
were built at places like Anuradhapura and Mihintale.
We also had a physician king called Buddhadasa. In
the 4th century A.D who did much to improve the Ayurvedic science
of medicine.Then in the 12th century Parakramabahu the
great is also said to have built hospitals and cared for the sick
on Ayurvedic principles .Medicine was practiced in
ancient times not to make financial gains but as aspect of service
to gain merit. The Buddha himself has stressed on the importance
to care for the sick.
The medicines in Ayurvedic treatment are got by what
grows around us. Sri Lanka is a granary of herbal plants. We can
collect enough herbs for any emergency such as cuts, bleeding, aches
and pains. One kind of herbal plant can be used for many disease
.The different parts of a plant posess different curative properties
. The herbs are broken down in to a powered liquid or paste from
even pills are produced by reducing a decoction of herbs to thick
consistency .
Then adding some powders for making a pill mass. Bitter
tasting medicines are sometimes taken with treacle or honey. Even
our fruits are used as a curative and also some of our flowers and
vegetable are known to have curative values.
CREDITS- searchsrilanka
