Ayurveda Specialties

Specialties of Ayurveda – Ashtanga Ayurveda
Ashtanga Ayurveda or eight limbed Ayurveda is divided into eight main classes, namely

1. Kaya Chikitsa (General Medicine)
2. Balachikitsa (Ayurveda Pediatrics)
3. Damshtra Chikitsa (visha chikitsa – Ayurveda toxicology)
4. Shalakya Tantra (Ayurveda ENT)
5. Salya Tantra (Ayurveda Surgery)
6. Jara Chikitsa (Ayurveda Geriatrics)
7. Graha Chikitsa (Bhuta Vidya - Ayurveda Psychology)
8. Vrishya Chikitsa (Vajeekarana Chikitsa – Ayurveda Aphrodisiacs)

All the divisions of treatments fall within these eight branches of Ayurveda. Inclusion of vrishya chikitsa or aphrodisiacs as a main branch of Ayurveda suggests the importance ancient Indians give to the importance of preparing the man and woman to give birth to healthy children.

Bhuta Vidya includes some seemingly occult, but entirely scientific methods of treating mental illnesses. It also gives the directions to protect women and children from evil forces. Women (especially pregnant women) and children must be given the safest of rooms in the house. The scientific side is that they are not susceptible to sudden fears due to external noises.

Ayurveda salya tantra refers to the surgical methods of treatment in Ayurveda. There is also a separate wing damshtra chikitsa that deals with insect sting, animal bites and snake bite.

Ashtanga, the Eight Arms of Ayurveda
Ashtanga or the eight arms of Ayurveda deals with the specialties in treatment.

“kaya-bala-grihordhwanga
salya-damsthra-jaravrishan
ashtanganithasyahu
schikitsayeshu samsritha”

The above slogan tells that kaya chikitsa (treating physique or body), bala (baala) chikitsa (pediatrics), griha chikitsa (women and children), urdhvanga chikitsa (eye, ear, nose and parts above neck), salya tantra (surgery), damsthra chikitsa (toxicology), jara chikitsa (rejuvenation therapy) and vajeekarana chikitsa (aphrodisiac therapy) are the eight branches (angas) of Ayurveda.

Ashtanga hridaya is the book that tells in detail about all the eight angas of Ayurveda. It is the sum total of all knowledge spread across millions of slogas from thousands of books written by eminent Ayurveda practitioners and teachers from the past. All topics regarding Ayurveda are concentrated to some 7000 slogas in Ashtangahridaya.

Ashtanga vaidyas of Kerala learned and practiced all of the eight specialties of Ayurveda. There are different vaidya families that concentrated on specific angas only. Pampinmeykkattu family is still known for damsthra chikitsa, mainly treating snake venom related conditions.

Astagahridaya tells in detail about dinacharyas (daily routine), ritucharyas (seasonal routines) etc. Ritucharya is the method of adjusting our daily activities like taking bath, food and drinks, work and travel, entertainment, rest and sleep etc. It also details the methods of controlling our thoughts, words, action, and even what we look at and see.

There is a sloga in Ashtangahridaya, which we can regard as the corner stone of health;
Nityam hithahara vihara sevii
Sameekshyakaree vishayeshuasakthaha
Datha samassthya paraha kshamava
Napthopaseveecha, bhavatya rogaha

The meaning of the sloga goes like this –
Take good food, do moderate physical exercise, think well before starting risky ventures, live a life of self respect, give alms according to your capacity, love all alike, tell only truth, maintain composure under pressure, be forgiving, mingle with good people –

The brief sloga tells about the ingredients of good physical and mental health. Deviating from this lifestyle can cause diseases.