Āyurveda -Holistic Curative System: The Gift of Vedic Civilization

Abstract

Āyurveda, ‘the science of life’ is the ancient heritage-system of diagnosis and healing in India. It is a system of holistic treatment of the patient and disease. Susruta declares “a person who studies one branch of learning only cannot arrive at proper conclusions. Therefore, a physician 
should strive to learn as many related sciences as possible.” Āyurvedic diagnosis and treatment follows, with an integral view, the channel system (srotas), enveloping all the functions of the body. It deals with the diagnosis and healing of diseases relating to the thirteen channel systems 
called ‘srotas.’ It is based upon the deep communication with the spirit of life itself and a profound understanding of our psycho-physical system. Āyurveda delineates a regime for healthy presentation of the body and mind through proper control of all the three elements. The ancient Āyurvedic texts, like Charaka-Saṁhitā and Susruta -Saṁhitā give a detailed description of common pathogenesis of diseases and their treatment. The integrated approach ancient Indian healing system, that combines herbology, body-control through āsanas, breath control through prāṇāyāma and mind control though dhyāna offers holistic solution to the patient.