Sir Ganga Ram Hospital 

Ayurveda is the science of longevity and living. It is propounded that the knowledge of Ayurveda came straight from Brahma himself and that makes it the medical science of highest order, for the creator knows exactly the strengths and lacunae in his creation. Brahma passed this knowledge to other Gods, and sage Bhardwaja. The sage in turn, handed it over to other sages. The trend continued and the know-how traveled through generations over the centuries. Ayurvedic principles were documented in details in "Atharvaveda"- oldest recorded wisdom of earth (6000 B.C)

Ayurveda actually means " the knowledge of the span of life". It aims at the good maintenance of life, its all round excellence and possible extension beyond the usual limits. Thus, this science has much more to offer, rather than just to cure illness. Ayurveda is a science with rational, validated, authoritative and systematized knowledge. Its objectives are: -

To preserve / maintain health of a healthy person, cure illness in the diseased patient.

This system of medicine differs from modern medicine in its holistic approach and the treatment modalities have overtones of philosophical and psychological aspects of life, Moreover the drugs used here for treatment are purely natural, hence causing minimal/no side effects Drugs are administered after proper processing; but as a whole, instead of extracting the main component and mixing with certain chemicals.

Basic principles of this medical science are derived from the Indian philosophy. The universe is composed of 5 basic elements, viz. Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether. Every matter in this universe is derived from these elements.

Vata, Pitta & Kapha are the three Doshas of the body.

• Vata - represents the factors responsible for all movements and sensations in our body - be it at the level of a single cell an organ system as a whole.

• Pitta - is responsible for the digestion, metabolism & carries out energy transactions.

• Kapha - maintains firmness of the limbs, is responsible for maintenance of strength of the joints & refreshing the sense organs.

Dhatus are seven viz. Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Meda Asthi , Majja and Shukra.

They constitute the basic structural frame work of the body.

Malas are bi- products of Dhatus, which are partly utilized by the body and the unused part is excreted as waste material , after the digestion process is completed.

Another unique concept of Ayurveda is "Agni" - the fire, which governs the entire functioning in communion

All these elements have to be in perfect equilibrium for the body to remain healthy & any imbalance amongst these is liable to produce a diseased state. The three qualities of mind are also illustrated in Ayurveda - which is a unique feature in it self.

• Satva (positive and working for tranquility)

• Rajas (coloring of person in all ways by an over riding passion)

• Tamas (darkness & negative feeling)

Dominance of Rajas & Tamas in the mental set up are liable to produce a diseased state of mind; whereas Satva ensures health. This theory is valuable in concurring mental diseases.

Ayurveda offers personalized cure by assessing the Prakriti of an individual. Each patient is subjected to a series of parameters, whereby the physical and mental constitutions are adjudged in lieu of advocating specific medication. The physical parameters are Vata, Pitta & Kapha and the mental grading is on the basis of Satva, Rajas & Tamas.

Strengths of Ayurveda

The common users of Ayurveda are individuals who have incurable, non life threatening conditions, that may be chronic. The second largest group of users is those struggling with chronic, potentially life threatening diseases.

Both groups turn to Ayurveda to improve immune status, to improve overcall functioning & quality of life, to cope with side effects from conventional therapies and to relieve symptoms related to their illness.

Ayurveda provides a number of single, compound Herbal /Herbo mineral Rasayana Drugs contributing unique Rasayana therapy having diversified actions on different systems of the body viz. immuno-modulation (on immune system), antioxidant action (prevents bio-oxidation thereby checking age related disorders, auto immune disorders, degenerative disorders), adaptogenic affects (on psychoneuro endocrine system) and so on.

The unique Panchkarma (therapy targets at getting rid of the toxins from the body in toto. These are palliative and purificative regimens, which aid in establishment of normalcy of the body functions