Eight Branches of Ayurveda

The ancient Áyurvedic system was astoundingly
complete. In the colleges of ancient India,
students could choose a specialty from eight
branches of medicine.

1. Internal Medicine (Káyachikitsá).
This is related to the soul, mind, and
body. Psychosomatic theory recognizes
that the mind can create illness in the body
and vice versa. The seven body constitutions and
seven mental constitutions were delineated here:
Váyu (air/energy), Pitta (fire), Kapha (water),
Váyu/Pitta, Váyu/Kapha, Pitta/ Kapha, and a combination
of all three (tridoßha). Although finding
the cause of an illness is still a mystery to modern
science, it was the main goal of Áyurveda. Six
stages of the development of disease were known,
including aggravation, accumulation, overflow,
relocation, a buildup in a new site, and manifestation
into a recognizable disease. Modern equipment
and diagnosis can only detect a disease during
the fifth and sixth stages of illness. Áyurvedic
physicians can recognize an illness in the making
before it creates more serious imbalance in the
body. Health is seen as a balance of the biological
humors, whereas disease is an imbalance of the
humors. Áyurveda creates balance by supplying
deficient humors and reducing the excess ones.
Surgery is seen as a last resort. Modern medicine
is just beginning to realize the need to supply rather
than to remove, but still does not know how or what
to supply.
Additionally, there are over 2,000 medicinal
plants classified in India’s materia medica. A
unique therapy, known as pañcha karma (five actions),
completely removes toxins from the body.
This method reverses the disease path from its
manifestation stage, back into the blood stream,
and eventually into the gastrointestinal tract (the
original site of the disease). It is achieved through
special diets, oil massage, and steam therapy. At
the completion of these therapies, special forms
of emesis, purgation, and enema remove excesses
from their sites of origin. Finally, Áyurveda rejuvenates–
rebuilding the body’s cells and tissues after
toxins are removed.
2. Ears, Nose, and Throat
(£hálákya Tantra).
Sußhruta reveals approximately 72 eye
diseases, surgical procedures for all eye disorders
(e.g., cataracts, eyelid diseases), and for diseases
of the ears, nose, and throat.
3. Toxicology
(Vißhagara-vairodh Tantra).
Topics include air and water pollution, toxins
in animals, minerals, vegetables, and epidemics;
as well as keys for recognizing these anomalies
and their antidotes.
4. Pediatrics (Kaumára bh^itya).
In this branch prenatal and postnatal care
of the baby and mother are discussed. Topics
include methods of conception; choosing the
child’s gender, intelligence, and constitution; and
childhood diseases and midwifery.
5. Surgery (£halyá Tantra). More
than 2,000 years ago, sophisticated
methods of surgery were known. This
information spread to Egypt, Greece, Rome, and
eventually throughout the world. In China, treatment
of intestinal obstructions, bladder stones, and
the use of dead bodies for dissection and learning
were taught and practiced.
6. Psychiatry (Bhúta Vidyá). A whole
branch of Áyurveda specifically deals
with diseases of the mind (including demonic
possession). Besides herbs and diet, yogic
therapies (breathing, mantras, etc.) are employed.
7. Aphrodisiacs (Vájikarana). This section
deals with two aspects: infertility (for
those hoping to conceive) and spiritual development
(for those eager to transmute sexual energy
into spiritual energy).
8. Rejuvenation (Rasáyana).
Prevention and longevity are discussed
in this branch of Áyurveda. Charak says
that in order to develop longevity, ethics and virtuous
living must be embraced.




Reference on Medicinal plants Part I
Reference on Ayurveda treatments, Principles, Yoga , physiology and Health Articles

Reference on Indian medicinal plants and its treatments.