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Ayurveda is eternal because of the following: It has no beginning; its characteristics are self-evident, and those of things dealt with it are eternal. It has been seen that Ayu (the combination of body, its organs, mind, and soul) and intelligence about Ayu (knowledge about Ayu) are perpetual. Hence Ayu and its knowledge (i.e. Ayurveda) have been eternal. The knower becomes eternal after knowing Ayurveda. Concepts such as happiness and suffering (i.e., health and illness), therapeutics and pathogens, etc. - their causes, signs, and perpetuation are all eternal. This is what is described in Ayurveda.[[Arthedashmahamooliya Adhyaya#Eternal qualities of Ayurveda|[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 30/27] ]] It is observed in clinical practice that the principles described in Ayurveda texts are universal, time tested and stand true on scientific validation tests. For example, the theory of similar and dis-similar (Samanya Vishesha siddhanta) is applicable universally with immense importance.<ref> Pandey Deep Narayan , Pandey Neha Prakash. Universal significance of the principle of Samanya and Vishesha beyond Ayurveda.Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine.2018;9(4),308-311. available online from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0975947617305727 </ref>
Ayurveda is eternal because of the following: It has no beginning; its characteristics are self-evident, and those of things dealt with it are eternal. It has been seen that Ayu (the combination of body, its organs, mind, and soul) and intelligence about Ayu (knowledge about Ayu) are perpetual. Hence Ayu and its knowledge (i.e. Ayurveda) have been eternal. The knower becomes eternal after knowing Ayurveda. Concepts such as happiness and suffering (i.e., health and illness), therapeutics and pathogens, etc. - their causes, signs, and perpetuation are all eternal. This is what is described in Ayurveda.[[Arthedashmahamooliya Adhyaya#Eternal qualities of Ayurveda|[Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana 30/27] ]] It is observed in clinical practice that the principles described in Ayurveda texts are universal, time tested and stand true on scientific validation tests. For example, the theory of similar and dis-similar (Samanya Vishesha siddhanta) is applicable universally with immense importance.<ref> Pandey Deep Narayan , Pandey Neha Prakash. Universal significance of the principle of Samanya and Vishesha beyond Ayurveda.Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine.2018;9(4),308-311. available online from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0975947617305727 </ref>
== Healthcare system of Ayurveda ==
== Health and Healthcare system of Ayurveda ==
The healthcare system of Ayurveda includes four components like physician, therapeutic substance, care taker and patient. Ayurveda emphasizes on importance of best qualities of these components to achieve maximum efficacy in healthcare management.[[Khuddakachatushpada Adhyaya|[Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 9]]]
Ayurveda defines health as a personified state of equilibrium of body components like [[dosha]], [[dhatu]], [[mala]] and [[agni]] with blissful state of mind and spirit.<ref>Sushruta, Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Doshadhatumala Kshayavriddhi Vigyaniya Adhyaya 15/48, Ayurveda Tatva Sandipika commentary by Dr. Ambika Datta Shastri, 14 th ed. New Delhi: Chaukhamba publications; 2003.</ref> In addition, it also emphasizes on normal physique, sensori-motor functions, appetite, thirst, endurance to heat, cold and exertion for assessment of status of health.[[Ashtauninditiya_Adhyaya#The_importance_of_ideal_body_proportion|[Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 21/18-19]]] The healthcare system of Ayurveda includes four components like physician, therapeutic substance, care taker and patient. Ayurveda emphasizes on importance of best qualities of these components to achieve maximum efficacy in healthcare management.[[Khuddakachatushpada Adhyaya|[Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 9]]]
===Fundamental principles===
The Ayurvedic system of healthcare owes its own fundamental principles and methodology in every aspects. In academic perspectives, the compendiums of Ayurveda elaborately describe the standards of a medical treatise; writing, teaching and learning methodologies; communication and debate codes with the dispute resolution techniques.[[Rogabhishagjitiya Vimana|[Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 8/3-67]]]
In perspective of medical and human biological understandings, the [[Yajjah Purushiya Adhyaya|origin of human being]], [[Pancha mahabhuta|fundamental elements]], unification with [[Atma|soul]], [[Atulyagotriya_Sharira#Pre-requisites_for_conception_.28Verse_3.29|conception]], [[Mahatigarbhavakranti Sharira|embryonic development]], [[Prenatal care (garbhini paricharya)|prenatal care]] and its benefits to prevent congenital disorders, [[Sharira sthana|the anatomical and physiological concepts, fundamental body constitution and psychological traits, statistical analysis and classification]] are described. The physiological aspects of body i.e. [[dosha]], [[dhatu]] and [[mala]], biological transportation systems, [[Grahani Chikitsa Adhyaya|processes of digestion and metabolism]] are extensively discussed with analogies.
In pathological understanding abnormalities and disease diagnosis, the [[Rogabhishagjitiya_Vimana#Ten_factors_for_examination_in_therapeutics|methods of clinical examination[Cha.Sa. Vimana Sthana 79-133]]]; diagnostic methods without any invasive techniques; diagnosis by perception, observation, palpation and interrogation methods[[Trividha_Roga_Vishesha_Vijnaniya_Vimana#Three_methods_for_knowledge_of_disease|[Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 4/3-8]]]; classification of diseases based on abnormalities of basic body constituents[[Maharoga_Adhyaya|[Cha.Sa, Sutra Sthana Chapter 20]]]; [[Shatkriyakala|six stages of disease progression]]; [[Kha vaigunya|opportunistic susceptibilities]] for disease states; and comprehensive knowledge of pathologies of major diseases[[Nidana Sthana|[Cha. Sa. Nidana Sthana]]] is present. The tools to know endogenous and exogenous diseases with their important causes, features, pathogenesis are also described.
Ayurveda deals with basic understanding of [[Prakriti|fundamental constitution]] of any substance of medicinal or dietary value, its interactions with human biology, pharmaco-therapeutic activity, indications and contra-indications, [[Satmya|suitability]] and heterogenicity, its processing guidelines, storage guidelines, safety and efficacy profiles.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] chapters 25-28] Classification of herbs is based upon their activity profile.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] chapters 1-4] Classification of dietary substances is based upon their forms and cooking methods.[[Annapanavidhi Adhyaya| Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana Chapter 27]] Special [[Ahara vidhi|dietary guidelines]] are described to achieve greater health benefits. Behaviour guidelines, codes of conducts are described to prevent lifestyle disorders.[[Indriyopakramaniya Adhyaya| Cha.Sa. Sutra Sthana Chapter 8]]
Good portion of the compendiums deal with guidelines of preservation, promotion and protection of health.[Cha.Sa.[[Sutra Sthana]] chapters 5-8] The management of diseases with purification procedures, pacification treatments and surgery are elaborated in respective sections[Cha.Sa.[[Chikitsa Sthana]] chapters 1-30].Five procedures of purification ([[Panchakarma]]), six methods of management ([[Langhanabrimhaniya Adhyaya|shadvidhopakrama]]), application of alkali, cautery and leeches are included in main forms of treatment.
== Eight specialties of Ayurveda ==
== Eight specialties of Ayurveda ==
#Vajikaranam (Science of sexual health and aphrodisiac).
#Vajikaranam (Science of sexual health and aphrodisiac).
The details about these specialties are given in context of [[Chikitsa Sthana#Specialties of Ayurveda therapeutics|Chikitsa Sthana]].
The details about these specialties are given in context of [[Chikitsa Sthana#Specialties of Ayurveda therapeutics|Chikitsa Sthana]]. Each of these specialty is developed in current era in terms of education, research and practices.
== Education ==
== Education ==
Ayurveda as a healthcare system can restore the innate intelligence of the body and awareness for healing. Ayurvedic therapies can affect both the genetic and phenotypic expression of life. It can be appreciated through the science of epigenetics. The epigenetic factors in life affect the phenotype in a positive or negative way, and indirectly affect the genetic expression in a positive or negative way, which can be transmitted to the progeny. Ayurveda covers both aspects of life – genetic and phenotypic – and is a comprehensive, holistic, and personalized system of health care.<ref>Sharma H. Ayurveda: Science of life, genetics, and epigenetics. AYU [serial online] 2016 [cited 2019 Jun 3];37:87-91. Available from: http://www.ayujournal.org/text.asp?2016/37/2/87/217789</ref>
Ayurveda as a healthcare system can restore the innate intelligence of the body and awareness for healing. Ayurvedic therapies can affect both the genetic and phenotypic expression of life. It can be appreciated through the science of epigenetics. The epigenetic factors in life affect the phenotype in a positive or negative way, and indirectly affect the genetic expression in a positive or negative way, which can be transmitted to the progeny. Ayurveda covers both aspects of life – genetic and phenotypic – and is a comprehensive, holistic, and personalized system of health care.<ref>Sharma H. Ayurveda: Science of life, genetics, and epigenetics. AYU [serial online] 2016 [cited 2019 Jun 3];37:87-91. Available from: http://www.ayujournal.org/text.asp?2016/37/2/87/217789</ref>
==Efficacy of Ayurveda in contemporary healthcare systems==
A good scientific evidence exists to support the safety and efficacy of Ayurveda therapies, herbs, classical medicines, proprietary medicines. Attempts are being made to organize the data from classical compendiums and published researches.<ref>arayana DBA, Durg S, Ayurveda: (W) Here is the evidence, J Ayurveda Integr Med, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2020.07.001</ref>
== Efficacy of Ayurveda in contemporary healthcare systems ==
Ample evidence is found through researches on various topics of Ayurveda to show safety and efficacy. It can be seen in the vidhi vimarhsa section of each chapter of this [[Charak Samhita New Edition]].
Ample evidence is found through researches on various topics of Ayurveda to show safety and efficacy. It can be seen in the vidhi vimarhsa section of each chapter of this [[Charak Samhita New Edition]].