OUR LADY OF FATIMA UNIVERSITY

College of Pharmacy

Module II:
Alternative Medical Systems
Ayurvedic Medicine

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

PCAM 211

WEEK 2-Day 2
 ACTIVITIES FOR WEEK 2 DAY 2

1. Please take Quiz no. 3, topic: Homeopathic and Naturopathic Medicine.

You have 20 minutes to complete this quiz once you have started this
Questions : 20 questions
Time Limit : 20 minutes
2. Please participate Canvas Discussion Board no. 4
Topic: Ayurvedic Medicine
3. Please answer the Study Questions (Self-paced learning). Submit thru
email.
4. Please answer Assignment no. 4 in Canvas

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 UNIT OUTCOMES

At the end of this unit, the students are expected to:

◉ Define ayurvedic medicine
◉ Understand the basic principles of ayurvedic medicine.
◉ Differentiate the types of doshas.
◉ Describe the eight-point diagnosis.
◉ Identify the types of ayurvedic treatment.
◉ Enumerate the benefits of ayurvedic treatment.

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 UNIT OUTLINE

◉ Ayurvedic Medicine
Ø History
Ø Basic Principles
Ø Doshas
Ø Dhatus
Ø Malas
Ø Eight-Point Diagnosis
Ø Ayurvedic Treatment
Ø Benefits
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 CHECKLIST

◉ Read course guide.

◉ Read lecture notes.
◉ Read required learning materials.
◉ Watch videos related to topic
◉ Participate in discussion board in Canvas.
◉ Answer and submit course unit tasks.

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 REQUIRED READINGS

§ The Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Lectures (2003),

Exploring Complementary and Alternative Medicine,
National Academies Press

§ Mann, D. et. Al., (2004) Integrating Complementary

and Alternative Therapies with Conventional Care,
Program on Integrative Medicine

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 STUDY QUESTIONS

TOPIC: Ayurvedic Medicine (Self-paced learning)

Please answer the following questions:
(Write your answer in not less than 150 words).
1. Compare and Contrast the different alternative
medical systems locally and globally. (10 points)
2. Discuss the principles of Ayurvedic medicine (10
points)
3. Cite evidences on the use Ayurvedic treatment (10
points)
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 TERMINOLOGIES

◉ Ayurvedic Medicine is based on ancient Indian

medical system that rely on a “natural” and holistic
approach to physical and mental health. .
(https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ayurvedic-medicine-in-depth)

◉ Doshas are biological energies found throughout the

human body and mind,
(http://eattasteheal.com/Ayurveda101/ETH_BodyTypes.htm)

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 TERMINOLOGIES

◉ Dhatus are the elemental tissues of our body. .

(https://www.wemystic.com/dhatus/)

◉ Malas are the waste matter or substances that are

excreted out of the human-body.
(https://www.planetayurveda.com/mala-waste-products/)

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AYURVEDIC MEDICINE
 HISTORY
• Came into existence in about 900 B.C.
• The word Ayurveda means Ayur meaning
life and Veda meaning science.
• The Indian Hindu mythology states four
Veda written by the Aryans:
– Rig Veda,
– Sam Veda,
– Yajur Veda and
– Atharva Veda.
• The Ayurveda is said to be an Upaveda
(part) of Atharva Veda.
• Charaka Samhita (1900 B.C.) is the first recorded book
with the concept of practice of Ayurveda. This
describes 341 plants and plant products used in
medicine.

• Sushruta Samhita (600 B.C.) was the next ayurvedic

literature that has special emphasis on surgery. It
described 395 medicinal plants, 57 drugs of animal
origin, 4 minerals and metals as therapeutic agents.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF AYURVEDA
• • According to ancient Indian philosophy, the universe is
composed of five basic elements or pancha bhutas:
– Prithvi (earth)
– Jal (water)
– Teja (fire)
– Vayu (air)
– Akash (space)
• Everything in the universe, including food and the bodies
were derived from these bhutas.
• A fundamental harmony therefore exists between the
macrocosm (the universe) and the microcosm (the
individual).
• The Pancha Bhuta theory and the human body: The
human body is in a state of continuous flux or dynamic
equilibrium.
• The pancha bhutas are represented in the human body
as the doshas, dhatus and malas.
There are three Doshas in the body
also known as tridoshas
 DOSHAS
The doshas derive from the Five Elements and their related
properties.

1. Vata is composed of Space and Air,

2. Pitta of Fire and Water,
3. Kapha of Earth and Water.
•Vata derives from the
elements of Space and Air and
translates as “wind” or “that
which moves things.”
• It is the energy of movement
and the force governing all
biological activity.
• Vata is often called the “King
of the Doshas,” since it governs
the body’s greater life force
and gives motion to Pitta and
Kapha.
• The main locations of Vata in the
body are the colon, thighs, bones,
joints, ears, skin, brain, and nerve
tissues.
• Physiologically, Vata governs
anything related to movement,
such as breathing, talking, nerve
impulses, movements in the
muscles and tissues, circulation,
assimilation of food, elimination,
urination, and menstruation.
• Psychologically, Vata governs
communication, creativity,
flexibility, and quickness of
thought.
•Pitta derives from the
elements of Fire and Water
and translates as “that which
cooks.” It is the energy of
digestion and metabolism in
the body that functions
through carrier substances
such as organic acids,
hormones, enzymes, and bile.
• The qualities of Pitta are oily,
sharp, hot, light, moving,
liquid, and acidic.
• The main locations of Pitta in the
body are the small intestine,
stomach, liver, spleen,
pancreas, blood, eyes, and
sweat.
• Physiologically, Pitta provides
the body with heat and energy
through the breakdown of
complex food molecules.
• It governs all processes related
to conversion and
transformation throughout the
mind and body. Psychologically,
Pitta governs joy, courage,
willpower, anger, jealousy, and
mental perception.
•Kapha derives from the
elements of Earth and Water
and translates as “that which
sticks.” It is the energy of building
and lubrication that provides
the body with physical form,
structure, and the smooth
functioning of all its parts.
• Kapha can be thought of as the
essential cement, glue, and
lubrication of the body in one.
• The qualities of Kapha are moist,
cold, heavy, dull, soft, sticky,
and static
• The main locations of Kapha in the
body are the chest, throat, lungs,
head, lymph, fatty tissue,
connective tissue, ligaments, and
tendons.
• Physiologically, Kapha moistens
food, gives bulk to our tissues,
lubricates joints, stores energy,
and relates to cool bodily fluids
such as water, mucous, and
lymph.
• Psychologically, Kapha governs
love, patience, forgiveness,
greed, attachment, and mental
inertia. With its earthly makeup,
Kapha grounds Vata and Pitta
and helps offset imbalances
related to these doshas.
 DATHUS

•Dhatus are the

body constituents and
form the basic
structure of the body;
each one having its
own functions.
• The dhatus are seven
in number
 MALAS
•Malas in Ayurveda, the waste products of the
body, which include:
– urine,
– stool,
– Sweat
•Effective elimination of malas is said to be
important for maintaining good health.
“ The doshas, dhatus and malas should be in a
state of perfect equilibrium for the body to
remain healthy. Any imbalance among these
constituents results in ill health and disease.”
EIGHT-POINT DIAGNOSIS
• The classical clinical examination in Ayurveda is called ashta sthana pariksha
(eight-point diagnosis) and includes an assessment of the state of the doshas
as well as various physical signs.
• The eight-point diagnosIs are :
1.Nadi pariksha (pulse diagnosis),
2.Mutra pariksha (urine examination),
3.Vata/sparsha (Nervous system assessment),
4.Pitta/drik (assessment of digestive fire and metabolic secretions),
5.Kapha/akriti (mucous and mucoid secretions assessment),
6.Mala pariksha (stool examination),
7.Jihva pariksha (tongue examination)
8. Shabda pariksha (examination of body sounds).
AYURVEDIC TREATMENT
• Ayurvedic treatment attempts to establish a balance
among vata, pitta and kapha, as well as to improve
digestion and elimination of ama (undigested food).
• Ayurvedic therapy often begins with shodhana (cleansing)
in which toxins, emotional or physical, are eliminated or
neutralized.
• Once shodhana is completed, shamana (palliative
treatment) is used to reduce the intensity of a disease and
balance the disordered doshas.
• Finally, rasayana (rejuvenation therapy) is used to maintain
health and reduce the negative effects of disease.
BENEFITS OF AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

1. Helps Lower Stress and Anxiety

2. Lowers Blood Pressure and

Cholesterol

3. Helps with Recovery from

Injuries and Illnesses
BENEFITS OF AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

4. Promotes a Nutrient-Dense,
Antioxidant-Rich Diet

5. Can Help with Weight Loss or

Maintenance
 VIDEO LINKS

◉ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po1zU7SPoWA
(Ayurveda: Ancient Indian Medicine)

◉ https://www.edu-
apps.org/lti_public_resources/launch?driver=youtube
&remote_id=Lx07nvPloes (The Ayurvedic Body Types
and Their Characteristics (Vata Pitta Kapha)

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BENEFITS OF AYURVEDIC TREATMENT

6. Lowers Inflammation

7. Helps with Hormonal Balance

 POP QUIZ/RECALL

Which of the following is the Each of the five essential Ayurvedic

closest English translation of
the Sanskrit word "Ayurveda"?
A. Grain of wheat
B. Wind in the trees
C. Science of life
D. Water on the knee
elements can be paired up with
another to form one of three
"biological humours", or doshas, that
affect all aspects of the human mind
and body. Which of the following is
NOT one of the three doshas?
A. Vata
B. Kapha

1 2
C. Pitta
D. Vindaloo
 VIDEO LINKS

◉ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=po1zU7SPoWA
(Ayurveda: Ancient Indian Medicine)

◉ https://www.edu-
apps.org/lti_public_resources/launch?driver=youtube
&remote_id=Lx07nvPloes (The Ayurvedic Body Types
and Their Characteristics (Vata Pitta Kapha)

34
 REFERENCES:

◉ https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ayurvedic-
medicine-in-depth (Retrieved from National Center
for Complementary and Integrative Health website)
◉ https://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/ayurvedic
-treatments#1 (Retrieved from WebMD website)
◉ http://eattasteheal.com/Ayurveda101/ETH_BodyTy
pes.htm (Retrieved from Eat Taste Heal: An
Ayurvedic Cookbook for Modern Living website)
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 REFERENCES:

◉ https://www.wemystic.com/dhatus (Retrieved from

We Mystic website)

◉ https://www.planetayurveda.com/mala-waste-
products/ (Retrieved from Planet Ayurveda website)

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 ACTIVITIES FOR WEEK 2 DAY 3

1. Attend Online Lecture via Zoom Meeting

Topic: Traditional Chinese Medicine
Duration: 1 hour

2. Please answer Assignment no. 5 in Canvas

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 REQUIRED READINGS FOR WEEK 2 DAY 3

§ The Richard and Hinda Rosenthal Lectures (2003),

Exploring Complementary and Alternative Medicine,
National Academies Press

§ Mann, D. et. Al., (2004) Integrating Complementary

and Alternative Therapies with Conventional Care,
Program on Integrative Medicine

38
 Thanks!

ANY QUESTIONS?

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