Ayurveda the basic science of life teaches us a holistic approach to health and personalized medicine. It is known to be a complete medical system that comprises of physical, psychological, philosophical, ethical, and spiritual health. India is known for its traditional medicinal systems— Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani. Medical systems are found mentioned even in the ancient Vedas and other scriptures. The Ayurvedic concept appeared and developed between 2500 and 500 BC in India. The literal meaning of Ayurveda is “science of life,” as this ancient Indian system of health care focuses on the entire living being of man and his illness. It has been pointed out that positive health means metabolically well-balanced human beings. Ayurveda is also called the “science of longevity” because it offers a complete system to live a long healthy life. It offers programs to rejuvenate the body through diet and medicine.
For the development of the said science, a separate Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy (ISM&H) was established in 1995 to ensure the optimal development and propagation of AYUSH systems of Health care. The Department of ISM&H was renamed as the Department of AYUSH (Ayurveda Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy) in November 2003.
In the syllabus of the Ayurveda course i.e. B.A.M.S, the subject Samhitha Siddhanta – basic principles play a very relevant role in rebuilding the base of the entire course. In this subject, different Principles are taught which is written in Samhita texts like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Vagbhatta (Ashtanga Sangraha, Ashtanga Hridaya) etc. Many principles described in Ayurveda can be used for improving the lifestyle of healthy persons and also diseased persons, among them some principles are discussed here.
Ayurveda is a system of health care that describes the human body as Purusha which is an aggregation of 24 elements with the basic element Atma the spirit or soul. For the equilibrium stage of the body, Dosha (humour), seven dhatus (tissue) and Mala (metabolic end-products) should be there in a normal balanced state and this can be considered to be as healthy stage. A lot of principles are described for the treatment of the body among them some are described which shows the importance of the branch.
Panchamahabhuta Theory–
The Akasa (space), Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Jala (water) and Prithvi (earth) are the five basic eternal substances termed to be as Panchamahabhutas. These are the ultimate physical constituents from which the physical world is derived. The food that we take as well as the medicines which we intake all is made up of these five elements. So as our human body is also made up of five elements. If in any condition, there occurs an imbalance in any of these mahabhuthas, we can visualise it through the corresponding symptoms produced by them. Accordingly, treatment can also be done by maintaining the balance of mahabhutas by administering the same food or diet containing the concerned mahabhuta. For example in obesity, basically, two mahabhutas are in an imbalanced state i.e Prithvi and Jala. So we have to administer food, medicine or lifestyle which can reduce these two mahabhutas. In this way, we can use this theory in any condition least concerning with name of the disease.
Tridosha Theory- The theory of Tridosha consists of three elements of energy i.e Vata, Pitta and Kapha. These are the biological applications of Panchamahabhuta. Depending upon the predominance of elements of Panchamahabhuta, it has been categorised into three elements. Vata is comprised of Vayu and akasha mahabhuthas and Pitta is comprised of Agni mahabhutha whereas Kapha is comprised of jala and prithvi mahabhuthas. These three are considered as doshas as they have a tendency to get vitiated and to vitiate each other. They are also termed as Dhatu as they uphold the body. These doshas determine the health or disease state of a person. Whenever these three get vitiated then the body gets diseased, and in the equilibrium, stage is called a healthy condition. Hence maintaining a corrected balance of these doshas along with panchamahabhutha is necessary.
Sapta dhathus– In Ayurveda, Sapta Dhathus are considered to be the basic elements of the body that stays as pillar supporters. The seven dhatus include Rasa (Plasma), Rakta (Blood), mamsa (muscles tissue), Medha (Adipose tissue) Asthi (bone tissue), Majja (marrow) and Sukra (reproductive elements). These are the seven primary tissues of the body. The major function of dhathus has been mentioned to be the supporting system of the body. The signs & symptoms of dhathu vrdhi (increase) or kshaya (decrease) plays a very relevant role in the diagnostical aspect. The equilibrium stage of dhathus is called a healthy state. In treatmental aspect, we can implement the principle of maintenance of this equilibrium in dhathus. For example, if Rakta decreases then raktavardhak dravya can be applied; particularly when we correlate it to anaemic conditions it makes a drastic change in the treatment level of major diseases.
The concept of mala (waste product)-
Ayurveda describes Mala as the excretory product of each element of the body in detail. As per Ayurveda, a combined supporting system of dosha – dhathu – mala makes up a healthy body. When we take our food the digestion process starts and the food will be separated into Prasad part which helps in the nourishment of dhatus and Kitta part which helps in the production of malas (waste part). As per Ayurveda, Several types of malas are produced for example Shakrit (faeces), Sveda (Sweat), Mutra (urine). Kha mala (waste from orifices like ear, eyes etc), Kesha (long hairs), Loma (small hairs), Nakha (nails) etc. Even in the process of disease formation, the quantity and quality of malas place a relevant role Like in Prameha, the excess quantity of mala is expelled out in the form of urine which can be compared to the pathophysiology of Diabetes insipidus. So in some condition mala is to be cleaned out in the body by medicines or Panchakarma or in some conditions, mala quantity is maintained by increasing pachana kriya or digestion process or in some cases preservation of mala is required in diseases like rajayakshma or Kshya (deteriorate the condition of all dhatus).
Concept of Agni-
Agni is termed a digestive fire or a basic element of energy. Agni persists in all level like in Dosha, Dhatu and Mala as well as present in all organs up to each cell of the body. So a physician is always bound to assess agni level of a person to analyse the disease condition as well as for treatment aspect.
Concept of Prakriti-
The Prakriti or Constitution is finalised according to the doshik predominance at the time of conjugation of sperm and ovum of parents. It is very much helpful in treatment for prescribing diet and medicines.
Concept of Ojas-
Ojas is the essence of all dhatus, which is compared to the immune system of the body. In healthy person and diseased person, treatment is given for strengthening ojas which increases the life span as well as strength to fight against all the diseases like cancer AIDS etc.
Concept of Mana –
Ayurveda believes on the concept of Manas and atma and gives special importance to mental health. Nowadays in the covid era, psychological concerns and maintaining mental and social health plays an important role.
Conclusion- The branch Basic Principles is the special branch of Ayurveda which deals with basic concepts which are written in different Samhita texts like Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Vagbhatta etc. The principles are very much interesting to the treatment aspect as well as for the research aspect. A lot of researches are going on scientifically by modern tools to establish the all-time used Principles written by ancient Rishis.