Author Archives: AyurvedicOils

Sushruta Samhita

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The field of medicine is undeniably the field of scientific and ethical values that serves humanity since the Stone Age. Ayurveda, the science of life absolutely shares a major part in etching the medicinal world with its efficient and profound knowledge & principles of holistic healing. As any form of science attains completion with the compilation of texts by its scholars, Ayurveda remains still intact with the exertion of three major ancient masterminds who lay behind the creation of magnificent Ayurvedic encyclopedias namely Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya and Ashtanga Sangraha.

Surgery, for sure is a challenging medical remedy both for the practitioner who performs it and for the patient who undergoes it. By the time you reach the end of this post, you will speechless in awe – inspiring astonishment, as your mind will revolve around the history of a great personality, who mastered the field of surgery even before people could think of it!!!

Sushruta – The father of surgery: Sushruta is believed to be one of the initial surgeons, the world was blessed with. According to few reliable sources, Sushruta is said to have survived in the 6th century B.C. He is the notable disciple of Divodasa, who developed a school for surgery in the 6th to 9th century B.C. He came up with an endless Ayurvedic encyclopedia known as Sushruta Samhita, which is highly focused on stupendous medical thesis with its core content dealing with surgery. His excellence in the field of surgery crowned him as ‘The Father of Surgery’.

Sushruta’s Contributions to the Medical World: It will truly be a breathtaking fact to know about Sushruta’s contributions to the field of medicine that has the finest information in some of the most untouched topics of ancient world. I’m sure the forthcoming piece of information will definitely make your eyes wide open with a surprised wave of wonder!

  • ‘Father of Plastic Surgery’ – Sushruta’s contribution to the field of plastic surgery is enormous with his footsteps craved in numerous areas, few of which are Rhinoplasty (reconstruction of nose), Otoplasty (correction of the deformities & defects of earlobe), repair of lip injuries and congenital cleft lip.
  • Being a perfect pioneer of anesthesia, Sushruta advocated the use of wine to block the sensation of the patient undergoing surgery.
  • He was the perfect demonstrator of various medical techniques like making incisions illustrated with the help of vegetables like watermelon, extraction of foreign bodies etc.
  • Sushruta is the unique contributor to the field of obstetrics, orthopedics and ophthalmology and is celebrated as the first cataract surgeon.
  • He was the first to give an in-depth explanation of human anatomy, embryology and the development of fetus.
  • He practiced certain innovative techniques like using leeches to free the wounds from blood clots, ant – heads as stitching materials to stitch the intestines etc.

Sushruta Samhita – A detailed demonstration of holistic healing: Sushruta Samhita talks about every single work of Sushruta in Ayurvedic healing therapy. This book is full of tactful facts that spread the knowledge of medicine applicable to people of all ages. This Ayurvedic encyclopedia illustrates not only the detailed description of surgery & surgical equipments but also about all the related branches of medicine ranging from common illness to complicated cesarean (C-section), thus making it a complete form of medical discipline.

Sushruta Samhita was translated into many languages namely Arabic, Latin, German & English thus spreading the essence of serving mankind in treating various ailments with excellence.

To this Sage of Surgery, health was a composition of mental & physical well-being that can be incorporated by following an Ayurvedic lifestyle, the major part of which encompasses following a healthy Ayurvedic routine, effective usage of Ayurvedic essential oils in day to day life, practicing healthy physical exercises along with yoga and meditation to nurture a healthy mind.

What are you still waiting for?!?!? With the fresh memories of Ayurveda and the Ayurvedic scholar – Sushruta in your minds, grab a sheet of paper to pen down your day to day Ayurvedic activities for your future that will make your lifestyle Unique & Ayurvedic!!!

Thought for the day:

The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.                                                               -Voltaire

Suggested Reading:

  1. An English translation of the Sushruta samhita, based on original Sanskrit text, volume 1: Sutrasthanam By Susruta Susruta
  2. Susruta Samhita: Text in Sanskrit with English Translation By Kaviraj Bhishagratna
  3. Synopsis of Ayurveda: Based on a translation of the Su’sruta Samhit=a (The Treatise of Su’sruta) By G. D. Singhal, T. J. S. Patterson

Reference Links:

  1. Sushruta by Wikipedia
  2. Sushruta Samhita by Wikipedia
  3. The Internal Journal Of Plastic Surgery by Dr.Sanjay Saraf & Dr.Ravi S.Parihar

Ayurvedic Doshas: An Intense Learning For The Insight Of Your Life

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It is not necessary for you to be a Doctor to know about your body’s functioning and the aspects that are responsible for your every single action. Knowing more about your body and the reasons behind specific conditions makes you life a meaningful life. Say for example, do you know the real reason for sneezing? Human nose has mucous membrane and when its nerve endings get irritated either due to dust, allergy or cold, you end up sneezing where the trouble-causing elements are emitted.  Sounds interesting right! If a human being’s single action has so many reasons behind, then think of the complexity in learning the entire system. To our surprise, the divine science of Ayurveda has classified human body types into 3 simple and easy to understand elements based on the vital parts of Mother Nature. It is also known as Doshas and the 3 essential energy elements defining the physical constitution of a human body according to Ayurveda are Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Perfect balance of these bio-energies contributes to a healthy system and dosha imbalance leads to sickness or ill-health. Knowledge about these Ayurvedic body types will help you understand the functioning of your body and which particular dosha level contributes to your unique characteristics, attributes and health conditions.

1. Vata (Air): Vata is the most imperative among the three doshas and vata imbalance can end up in imbalance of the rest of the two doshas also. As a prominent energy element vata is responsible for all the kinds of eliminations, destructions and discharge of numerous substances from the human body to aid its better working. Few such body ejections are sweat, semen, urine, fetus, feces and few more. Controls metabolism and contributes to the vital activities like muscular movements, motivation, brain functioning along with the sensory nerves, nervous functions, respiration, circulation, heartbeat and many more.

People who are vata dominant have tall physique and a dark complexion but are extremely creative and farsighted. Sleeplessness, too much of exercise and profusion of sexual feelings can cause vata imbalance leading to digestive problems, anxiety etc. Old age, sultry summer and dusk are connected with vata energy.  

2. Pitta (Fire): Your body has its own fire and it is expelled when there is a need for proper running. Pitta is your body’s conversion force that burns the things that you ingest and transforms the food into the types of energy that your body demands. Vision, ability of the body to maintain appropriate temperature, reasoning capabilities, digestion, judging potential, strength of your mind and body are influenced by pitta force.     

Pitta influence reflects a fair complexion, medium structure and supple skin and has the courage and determination to face problems and resolve them efficaciously. These perfection-lovers are generally well thought-out and zealous leaders who cannot stand incomplete and fragmentary activities, which make them burning and lose their tempers. They can be affected by hot food items, high exposure to sun, alcohol and constrained feelings. Inconsistency might show the way to ulcers, skin problems, heartburn and excessive heating of the body. Autumn, noontime and maturity are associated with Pitta.

3. Kapha (Earth): Your physical beauty and your structure are solely contributed to kapha element in your body as this gives the shape to human body with its lubricating properties that connects the tissues, muscles and bones. Your strength, muscle, vigor, stamina and the ability to repair and replenish are attributed to kapha predominance. This weighty energy element checks the abrasion between the different parts of your body by moistening it while granting you the energy to a fertile reproductive system.

Kapha governing individuals will never fail in impressing and influencing others with their benevolent, dedicated and affectionate personalities. They have a heavy and well-built structure with an average complexion. Dairy products and sugary items can be trouble-making and unevenness of kapha can make them overweight, sappy, sluggish and lose excess energy with a poor digestion process. Pleasant dawn, adolescence and wintry weather are correlated with Kapha element.

Hope this helped you to have an intense learning for the real insight of your momentous life and now that you’ll know why something happens in your body, which is the greatest library in the world.

Reference links:

  1. Dosha by Wikipedia
  2. Dosha in Ayurveda by Organic India
  3. Ayurveda by SREEKRISHNA Ayurveda Panchakarma Center

Ayurveda Treatment – The Must Know Essentials

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Ayurveda merges with nature and instills a positive energy within us by promoting a healthy lifestyle for harmonious living. While giving total importance to curative as well as preventative health measures, this noble science detects numerous diseases at a very early stage where even the contemporary medical practices fail to establish their stand. Ayurveda unmistakably depicts and understands that good health is a reflection or a symbol that an individual is living in harmony with nature.

It often views diseases as a clear signal indicating that a human’s body is ‘out of harmony’ with the phases of nature, the ideal gift of the Creator. This superior curing system treats human beings as individuals and not just as ‘Cases’ or ‘Patients’, the way in which people are addressed in modern medical system. Ayurveda treatment is a comprehensive structure that follows innumerable techniques to heal humanity. The most popular and the must know essentials of Ayurveda treatment are:

  1. Herbs or plant-based medications: As Ayurveda insists on natural cure for illness and wellness, the primary things that it focuses on is the use of herbs and other plant-based medications. According to Ayurveda ‘Nature is a Rescuer’ and herbs that are part of nature are really special in curing innumerable diseases. Ayurveda either uses these herbs directly or in the form of powder, decoction, tinctures, pills, syrups, ointments, herbal teas, and infusions. Herbs were also used as a poultice, in steam inhalation, natural baths and much more.
  2. Essential oils: Essential oils are highly concentrated oils extracted from plants. Ayurveda uses aroma as a trusted methodology for treating various kinds of illnesses. This ancient healing science suggests the use of oils either as part of the diet, suggested applications to the affected areas, in systematic massage therapy, smearing, as air freshener to kill the germs in the environment and to treat numerous illness especially related with the mind like depression, insomnia, stress, fear, anxiety etc as the aroma has the power to control the human system by the positive effects transformed through the limbic system.
  3. Animal-based products: Ayurvedic treatment also involves the use of certain animal products like bones, milk, gallstones, and animal fats for external use as well as for ingestion at times based upon the nature of the sickness.
  4. Physical and mental fitness: Ayurveda does not stop with prescribing herbs and essential oils for well-being but recommends the regular practice of physical exercises, yoga and meditation as per the corresponding Ayurvedic body types for gaining insight and the physical power to be resistant to diseases and stay hale and hearty. Thus the Ayurvedic theory states that ‘from physical exercise one obtains lightness, capacity to work, elimination of impurities from the body, firmness of the body, efficiency of digestion, and balance of metabolism’.
  5. Mineral treatments: According to Ayurveda, the principle of using minerals and metals along with herbal medicine is known as Rasa Shastra, which is similar to the celebrated Alchemy treatment used in Western Europe and Mediterranean countries.
  6. Surgical healing: The most inspiring part of the Ayurvedic treatment is the surgical healing technique, popularly known as Shalyaroga chikitsa or the surgical science. This was initially introduced to treat the warriors during the wars when they were attacked by sharp weapons, swords, arrows etc, Ayurvedic experts also recommend surgery for complicated health conditions like cataract, piles, fistula, urinary stones, accidents and more.
  7. Hygienic and balanced living: ‘Purity of mind and body will help human beings live in peace’ is what Ayurveda strongly believes. For which it recommends hygienic habits like taking bath regularly, keeping the vital parts of the body like skin and sense organs clean. For a calm and tranquil mind, this spiritual science suggests habitual prayers and meditation. Taking in a balanced diet with essential nutrients at the right time also contributes to a happy life in the pink according to Ayurveda.

All the possible and potential diseases of this present-day chaos living can be covered under one protective roof, rightly named as Ayurveda.

Thought for the day:

Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.

-World Health Organization

Suggested Reading:

  1. Ayurveda & Aromatherapy: The Earth Essential Guide to Ancient Wisdom and Modern Healing by Dr. Light Miller, Dr. Bryan Miller.
  2. The Ayurveda Encyclopedia: Natural Secrets To Healing, Prevention & Longevity by Swami Sadashiva Tirtha
  3. Yoga For Your Type: An Ayurvedic Approach to Your Asana Practice by Dr. David Frawley, Sandra Summerfield Kozak

Reference Links:

  1. Ayurveda by Wikipedia
  2. Herbal Medicine by University of Maryland Medical Center
  3. Exercise by ND Ayurveda & Panchkarma Centre