Changes

The term ''Chikitsa'' means treatment or therapy. <ref> Available from http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?tran_input=cikitsA&direct=se&script=hk&link=yes&mode=3</ref> .  It is important to note that the status of health and etio-pathogenesis of disease depends upon status of Agni (digestion and metabolism). (Cha.Chi.15/4)  Therefore, the treatment is based upon correcting the digestion and metabolism.  

The term ''Chikitsa'' means treatment or therapy. <ref> Available from http://spokensanskrit.org/index.php?tran_input=cikitsA&direct=se&script=hk&link=yes&mode=3</ref> .  It is important to note that the status of health and etio-pathogenesis of disease depends upon status of Agni (digestion and metabolism). (Cha.Chi.15/4)  Therefore, the treatment is based upon correcting the digestion and metabolism.  

Literally, the term Kaya comprehends entire process of metabolism, rather than either anabolism as denoted by Deha or catabolism denoted by Sharira.  Therefore, the word  “Kaya-chikitsa”  indicates medical  management of diseases  caused by  impaired “Agni”. The medical practice of Kayachikitsa is based upon an intimate understanding of nutrition and the factors responsible for digestion, absorption and metabolism.<ref> Dwarkanath C. Introduction to Kayachikitsa.Chaukhambha Orientalia;third edition. Varanasi. 1996 p.2</ref>  [[Chikitsa Sthana]] is the most important section focusing on objectives of Ayurveda for preservation of health and treatment of diseased.[[Arthedashmahamooliya Adhyaya#Objectives of Ayurveda|(Cha.Su.30/25)]]

Literally, the term Kaya comprehends entire process of metabolism, rather than either anabolism as denoted by Deha or catabolism denoted by Sharira.  Therefore, the word  “Kaya-chikitsa”  indicates medical  management of diseases  caused by  impaired “Agni”. The medical practice of Kayachikitsa is based upon an intimate understanding of nutrition and the factors responsible for digestion, absorption and metabolism.<ref> Dwarkanath C. Introduction to Kayachikitsa.Chaukhambha Orientalia;third edition. Varanasi. 1996 p.2</ref>  [[Chikitsa Sthana]] is the most important section focusing on objectives of [[Ayurveda]] for preservation of health and treatment of diseased.[[Arthedashmahamooliya Adhyaya#Objectives of [[Ayurveda]]|(Cha.Su.30/25)]]

==Structural dimensions of the section==

==Structural dimensions of the section==

This section relates mainly to therapeutics. However each chapter in this section starts with comprehensive information about etio-pathogenesis along with symptomatology, prognosis and classification of diseases before delving into detailed treatment. In therapeutic section of chapters, a general pattern is adopted to describe the management: The first principle of treatment (''chikitsa sutra'') of that particular disease is given in terms of ''langhana'' or ''brimhana, snehana'' or ''rukshana, svedana'' or ''stambhana'' and related measures of ''shodhana'' followed by their judicious use in particular state and stage of the disease. It is followed by description of single or compound preparations along with their constituents, method of preparation and indications. The drugs are mentioned in the form of fresh juice and paste, powder, tablet, decoctions, ''avaleha'' (jam), ''asava'' (fermented preparations mainly from juices), ''arishta'' (fermented preparations mainly from decoctions), medicated ghee and oil etc.

This section relates mainly to therapeutics. However each chapter in this section starts with comprehensive information about etio-pathogenesis along with symptomatology, prognosis and classification of diseases before delving into detailed treatment. In therapeutic section of chapters, a general pattern is adopted to describe the management: The first principle of treatment (''chikitsa sutra'') of that particular disease is given in terms of ''langhana'' or ''brimhana, snehana'' or ''rukshana, svedana'' or ''stambhana'' and related measures of ''shodhana'' followed by their judicious use in particular state and stage of the disease. It is followed by description of single or compound preparations along with their constituents, method of preparation and indications. The drugs are mentioned in the form of fresh juice and paste, powder, tablet, decoctions, ''avaleha'' (jam), ''asava'' (fermented preparations mainly from juices), ''arishta'' (fermented preparations mainly from decoctions), medicated ghee and oil etc.

==Specialties of Ayurveda therapeutics ==

==Specialties of [[Ayurveda]] therapeutics ==

The medical therapeutics today has been classified into many branches focused on a defined group of patients, diseases, skills, or philosophy.<ref>Specialties of Medical Practice available from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specialty_(medicine) retrieved on April 24, 2019</ref>. Each chapter in this section deals with a separate specialty. Being primarily a treatise of ''kayachikitsa'' (medicine), twenty three chapters in the [[Chikitsa Sthana]] deal with medical therapeutics. Other aspects of therapeutics like preservation and promotion of physical, mental, spiritual and sexual health is dealt in the first two chapters of [[Rasayana]] and [[Vajikarana]]. The chapter [[Dwivraniya Chikitsa]] pertains to wound management and briefs about surgical procedures (''shalya''). The chapter [[Visha Chikitsa]] on the management of poisoning (''visha'') deals with ''agada-tantra'' (toxicology). In Ayurveda, psychiatry is dealt with under the heading of ''bhuta-vidya'' and two chapters viz. [[Unmada Chikitsa]] and [[Apasmara Chikitsa]] focus on this aspect of medicine. The last chapter  [[Yonivyapat Chikitsa]] describes disorders of male and female infertility, gynecological disorders with paediatrics diseases. The chapter also mentions important principles of time of administration of medicine i.e. chrono-pharmacology and factors for deciding dose i.e. posology.  

The medical therapeutics today has been classified into many branches focused on a defined group of patients, diseases, skills, or philosophy.<ref>Specialties of Medical Practice available from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specialty_(medicine) retrieved on April 24, 2019</ref>. Each chapter in this section deals with a separate specialty. Being primarily a treatise of ''kayachikitsa'' (medicine), twenty three chapters in the [[Chikitsa Sthana]] deal with medical therapeutics. Other aspects of therapeutics like preservation and promotion of physical, mental, spiritual and sexual health is dealt in the first two chapters of [[Rasayana]] and [[Vajikarana]]. The chapter [[Dwivraniya Chikitsa]] pertains to wound management and briefs about surgical procedures (''shalya''). The chapter [[Visha Chikitsa]] on the management of poisoning (''visha'') deals with ''agada-tantra'' (toxicology). In [[Ayurveda]], psychiatry is dealt with under the heading of ''bhuta-vidya'' and two chapters viz. [[Unmada Chikitsa]] and [[Apasmara Chikitsa]] focus on this aspect of medicine. The last chapter  [[Yonivyapat Chikitsa]] describes disorders of male and female infertility, gynecological disorders with paediatrics diseases. The chapter also mentions important principles of time of administration of medicine i.e. chrono-pharmacology and factors for deciding dose i.e. posology.  

==Glimpses of chapters==

==Glimpses of chapters==

The section is a quick reference manual for therapeutics. This section provides comprehensive information about all aspects of clinical practice including etio-pathogenesis, management and drug formulary.  It is obvious from the foregoing that [[Chikitsa Sthana]] is a treasure of therapeutic knowledge and by mastering this part one can become expert physician who can tackle all types of acute and chronic disease successfully.

The section is a quick reference manual for therapeutics. This section provides comprehensive information about all aspects of clinical practice including etio-pathogenesis, management and drug formulary.  It is obvious from the foregoing that [[Chikitsa Sthana]] is a treasure of therapeutic knowledge and by mastering this part one can become expert physician who can tackle all types of acute and chronic disease successfully.

[[Category: Ayurveda therapeutics]],

[[Category: [[Ayurveda]] therapeutics]],

==References==

==References==

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