Ayurveda: Oldest Repository of Herbal, Pharmaceutics and Therapeutics

Ayurveda: Oldest Repository of Herbal, Pharmaceutics, and Therapeutics

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                     Ayurveda also represent one of the outstanding examples of science and technology development in ancient India.The Atharveda (3000-1200 BC) and the treatises by Charaka, Sushruta, and Vagbhata (1000-5000 BC) and consequent scriptures provide an elaborate database of Ayurvedic description of symptoms, diseases, diagnostics and therapeutic advice along with detailed descriptions of over 700 plant medicines/herbs.

                     Interpretations of the scriptures imply that Ayurvedic mode of healing was derived from a rich field of sublime knowledge and High quality, comprehensive science of medicine. It is said that this Vedic knowledge descended (realized through the vision of the rishis) with the advent of life on Earth. It is said to have been propounded by Lord Brahma – the Supreme creator – Himself and is therefore regarded as originating from eternal knowledge. It is referred to in the Vedic literature as a sub-Veda (upaveda). Most scholars of Vedic disciplines have recognized it as emanating from Atharva Veda, while a few also cite it as an upaveda of Riga Veda, while a few also cite it as a Vedic Science of ayu (lifespan) and hence as the first science of medicine and health.

                   Maharshi Sushrut and Maharshi Cahrak are revered as the great rishis (Vedic sages) who founded Ayurvedic Therapy. They studied, experimented and brought its original knowledge into healing practice for the integrated well-being of the world. Maharshi Shushrut referred it as primordial science. Similar were the views of Maharshi Charak who also discovered this eternal natural science through inner realization.

 He defined it as –

          “Hitahitam Sukham Dukhamayustya Hitahitam | Manancha Tachcha Yatroktam Ayurvedah Sa Uchyate |”

Meaning: 

              Ayurveda is the name of Shastra (Vedic Scripture), which deals with the understanding of happiness and sorrow, an auspicious and unauspicious aspect of life, and which also deciphers of what is good, suitable and supportive and remedies of what is good, suitable and supportive for healing and health.

                   Like the above the definition indicates, Ayurveda approach takes into account all aspects of an individual’s life that directly or indirectly affects his physical and mental wellbeing and accordingly provides the benefits of preventive as well as therapeutic health care. The Ayurvedic Philosophy regards the (physical) body like a fine-tuned instrument of soul growth bestowed by the Almighty to help an embodied soul to excel in material as well as spiritual realms of life. While it focuses on eliminating the deficiencies, infections and untoward elements, which are vital and useful for its harmonious and healthy functioning, it also stresses and incorporating the state and activities of the somatic system. 

                The Dravyaguna Vidnyan which defines the structure and properties of all natural substances of plant, animal and mineral origin forms the primary material database. Some Ayurvedic texts also provide detailed information on product development and effective drug delivery systems. Specifics are given on the selection of raw materials, the season for collection of specific herbs, and other quality guidelines for herbal and mineral materials. The formulations can be manufactured in a variety of forms including: Choorna (powders), Asava and Arista (medicated wines), Tablets, Ghana (concentrated), decoction types (Hima, Phant, Kadha), Siddha Thailam & Chris (medicated oils and ghee), etc.

                       Apart from these, several texts and compilations provide extensive information on therapeutic advice (Chikitsa) in the form of thousands of multi-herb, multi-functional formulations for every conceivable diagnosis (Nidaan). Investigations into the logic of such formulations employing modern bioinformatics tools will certainly provide new insights for future syntheses.

                        A special branch of Ayurvedic pharma-technology deals with herbo-mineral products such as Bhasma, Sindoor, and Parpati, etc. These are made from a wide variety of materials including many metals, gems, and carbonate containing minerals. A wide variety of administration routes/techniques are used, including oral, lepa (ointment), Nasya (nasal), Basti (medicated enemas), etc.

                

                      The Bhasma and Rasayan methodologies are unique to this indigenous system of medicine and offer a robust technology platform for future disruptive breakthrough technologies. Though the term Bhasma appears to signify plain ash obtained by burning a variety of substances, Bhasma production is actually complex multi-step, a multi-option process with a diverse array of base materials, process steps, products, and applications. Now, if the desired finished product and the ideal particle size could be identified, it should be possible to develop a modern technology which will take us directly to just the desired finished product, without the use of potentially for mercury and arsenic compounds which are present in some Bhasma products.

                      Another distinct feature of Ayurveda is the use of an anuran-an adjuvant, which may enhance drug uptake, and increase the depth and speed of penetration. A more ancient, unique and comprehensive model of drug-administration under Ayurveda nasal, oral and skin-inhalation of herbal/plant medicines through Yagua.

                       As per the scriptural descriptions and the ancient texts/reports on healthcare practices in pre-medieval India, Ayurveda appears to have had a head start in many areas. An ayurvedic practitioner has always talked of medicine combinations specific to an individual. There are descriptions of experiments in Kayaalpuie a total reversing of the aging processes. Vruksha Ayurveda describes experiments on how to grow red, blue or yellow cotton, which implies an ability to regulate genes for color producing metabolites Ayurveda also describes chikitsa for a variety of metabolic diseases, hormonal regulation, and immune modulation.

 Present Scenario:

                    Last one decade has witnessed a steep rise in the research and use of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in general and Ayurveda and herbal medicines in particular. Several new colleges and/or research centers have opened in the USA which focuses exclusively on Ayurveda. A committee of the members of the House of Lords was constituted in the UK to consider the scientific recognition and expansion of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. A high-level commission in the USA had recommended in favor of the Indian System of Medicine vis-à-vis the modern modes of medical treatment. It has also emphasized innovative scientific research in the fields of Ayurveda to expand its practice in hospitals, clinics, and other healing centers.

                            As per a survey, in the year 2003, the total number of doctors practicing Ayurvedic or some other Alternative Therapies in England was about fifty thousand. The to cured by them in year 19G9 alone was about fifty hundred thousand. These data were presented by the 67 British Parliamentary Select Committee for Science and Technology According to an independent survey conducted by a couple of years ago, on an average the British people about 1.6 billion pounds per year on Alternative Complementary Medicines, of which about 30 million pounds are for Ayurveda. The popularity of plant Herbal) medicines increasing in the UK at a rapid rate.

                      Similar progress is recorded in the USA. In its reports commission headed by the American Health Minister at White House, had reported a few years ago that the choice of most Americans for healing is now shifting from Allopathy to Ayurveda, Yoga and oriental herbal medicines in general Thi is a positive sign of increasing popularity of Ayurveda there This the trend was noticed way back in a survey conducted during 19901997 in the USA. It showed that the number of persons preferring these modes of therapies had increased from 338 to 42.1 percent during this period; the increase in this the number for Ayurveda alone had been the sharpest - from 25 to 12.1 percent The average expenditure in the USA on Ayurvedic therapies alone was estimated to be around 27 billion dollars in the year 1997. This had had an impact on the government policies as well. Ayurveda is now considered to be a part of the state-sponsored medical education. There are already some recognized non-government institutes and colleges for Ayurveda teaching and research in America, which are having a growing profile of success.

                       The risk-free, naturally effective healing science of Ayurveda has also attracted people in other parts of the world, where yoga has already been quite popular. Germany is much ahead of other countries abroad in Ayurvedic research and medical practices. Ayurvedic therapies are also gaining a significant place in the healthcare systems in Canada, France, Hongkong, Australia and several Arab countries.

                        Russia is no exception in this regard. The popularity of Ayurvedic medicine is growing there, too. Ayurvedic therapy of panchakarma has been given official recognition by the Government of Russia. The Russian administration has also communicated to the Government of India emphasizing the need to translate and publish the textbooks and other literature on panchakarma and other modes of Ayurvedic therapy and medicine in the Russian language for disseminating Ayurvedic knowledge, education and healthcare applications in Russia. Similar developments have taken place is some East European countries. Moving a step ahead in the future direction, Poland has initiated several research projects on Ayurveda in collaboration with some governmental and non-governmental institutions of India.

                                 The global recognition and expansion of the ancient Indian Medical Science of Ayurveda vindicates its comprehensive scientific approach that works in total harmony with Nature and takes into account the multiple dimensions of human life In fact, many facets of this Vedic Science yet remains unexplored in the modern times. Decipherment and thorough study of these would pose challenging research projects with enormous potential benefits. The interdependence of mind and body as considered in Ayurvedic approach is truly remarkable. It has proved its relevance and importance in healing psychosomatic disorders and offers greater hopes and promises to rid the world from the ailing state of people's health. Some laboratories, in India including those at the NCL Pune and IIT Bombay are looking into novel technological modes to reproduce nano herbal preparations as per the scriptural guidance. Clinical testing of some Ayurvedic therapies at reputed institutions li the AIIMS, New Delhi has shown excellent results supporting the healing power of this ancient medical science.

                              The Brahmavarchas Research Centre, Shantikunj Hardwar has taken up the task of verification of the properties of the Himalayan herbs and indigenous preparation of tested drugs Several of the dry powders prepared in the Shantikunj Pharmacy have been found to have excellent effects. Assigning expiry dates in terms of the lifespan of desired effects of the plant herbal components is a unique contribution of this center. New experiments on Ayurvedic decoction therapies have also been carried out here for more than a decade. The decoctions prepared here have been found effective in a wide range of diseases including the most frequent health hazards of today such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, etc. The next section describes several remedies using fresh herbal decoctions.