Module 1: Lesson 1

Origins + History

Ayurveda

Science of Life - Ayur: life, Veda: science

Origins

India - 5000 years ago, 1500BCE

Foundational scriptures

Vedas:

Rigveda - oldest Veda, concepts and references to doshas

Yajurveda - rituals, formulas and practices for health and organs and tissues concepts

Samaveda - sound, music and mantra

Atharvaveda - prayers and herbal remedies and treatments

Medical treatises (3 texts)

Brihattrayi: Great Triad

Charaka Samhita - Charaka’s collection, 8 sections, Samkhya and Vaisheshika, health = balance

Sushruta Samhita - father of surgery

Ashtanga Hridaya - ‘heart/essence of 8 branches of Ayurveda’, by Vagbhata summary of Charaka and Samhita

Ayurvedic gods

Ashwini Kumaras: twin sons of Suyra and Sangya, celestial practitioners

Dhanwantari: avatar of Vishnu emerged from Churning of the Ocean holding Amrita, Sushruta disciple of Dhanwantari

British colonialism

1600’s to direct rule in 1858 - 1947

Allopathic medicine framed as more ‘rational’ ‘scientific’ undermining Ayurvedic knowledge and practitioners, legal suppression, destruction of texts, tools and teaching institutions.

Post colonialism ayurveda has allopathic frameworks for greater acceptance/survival

8 branches of Ayurveda

Kaya Chikitsa (treatment): internal medicine, GP

Bala (strength) Chikitsa/Kaumarbhritya: paediatrics

Graha Chikitsa/Bhuta Vidya: psychiatry

Urdhwanga Chikitsa/Shalakya Tantra: ENT, opthamology

Shayla Chikitsa: surgery

Damstra Chiktsa/Agad Tantra: toxicology

Jara Chikitsa/Rasayana: rejuvination, geriatrics

Vrsha Chikitsa/Vajeekarana: aphrodisiacs, reproductive

Principle as a doula?

focus on maintenance of health and treating imbalance BEFORE causing ill health - post partum imbalance is normal