DAMODARAM SANJIVAYYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

SABBAVARAM, VISAKHAPATNAM, A.P., INDIA

ESSAY TITLE
MEDICINE IN ANCIENT INDIA

SUBJECT
HISTORY- I

NAME OF THE FACULTY

DR. VISWACHANDRA NATH MADASU SIR

Name of the Candidate: MULLA ZAHEER BASHA

Roll No: 20LLB067
Semester: First Semester
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I ―would like to utilize this opportunity to show my sincere gratitude towards our History
Professor Dr.Viswachandra Nath Madasu Sir for providing such a wonderful topic to work on
and gain knowledge in the topic Medicine in Ancient India. I would also like to thank my
Father who provided his valuable knowledge in the topic and also the University for
providing the E – Library which played an instrumental role in completing the project.‖
 INTRODUCTION

Illness and Injuries ―to Human Kind are far more as old as humankind. Almost all living
beings are plagued with illness. Since ancient times, disease has been a big concern for
humans. The archaeological remains of Harappa and Mohenjodaro, from which even Silajit
was published, provide evidence for the presence of a well-organized system of medicine in
India. Ayurveda is India's oldest indigenous medicine system, dating back to the Indus
Civilization. The Osadhisukta of the Rigveda is the oldest written knowledge about plants
and herbal medicines from the Vedic period. According to Kris Morgan's text, Ayurveda
simply means "study of immortality," but it is also known as "medicine of the God" due to its
religious roots. According to legend, Brahma (the creator) was the spiritual root of this
science, which existed before the birth of mankind. He passed the knowledge on to the god
Daksapati, then to the two celestial physicians (the twin Asvina Kumaras), then to Indra, the
god lord, and finally to Bharadvaja, the semi-divine sage. Such rituals should not be taken
literally; rather, they serve as a reminder of Ayurveda's long history. 1

The major medical developments achieved by the ancient India the first nation to achieve this
milestone. Ancient India has not only excelled in the use of herbs for medical remedies, but it
has also created a milestone by also achieving a great work in surgery, dentistry, operations,
plastic surgery, embryology, genetics, gynaecology, aetiology, psychology, nutrition, ethics,
personal hygiene, social medicine, allied topics such as animal biology, botany, agriculture,
pharmacognosy, chemistry, and cosmology are all covered by Ayurveda and also understood
human body in detail and also in many more aspects. Ancient India was the time when
Ayurveda, The man-made and organic remedies for curing various number of diseases.
Ayurveda is the first harmless and holistic form not only for curing diseases but also for
prevention of medicine.2 India is a nation familiar with many diseases with nearly 1,120
diseases and our nation also have the physicians who are familiar with these diseases. The
Physicians of our nation has rightly estimated and built the relation‖ between diseases like

1 D.P. Agarwal and Ankit Tiwari, ‘Ayurveda: the Traditional Indian Medicine System and its Global

Dissemination’ https://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/t_es/t_es_agraw_ayurveda_frameset.htm
(accessed on 26 January 2021)
2
Stephan Knapp, ‘The Vedic System of India’ http://ancientindianwisdom.com/health-and-wellness/the-vedic-
system-of-medicine (accessed on 26 January 2021)
malaria and dengue ―with mosquitoes, they had also found the reason for the plague disease,
which is the mass number deaths of rats and they also established relation that flies infects the
food if left open which later causes infection in the intestine. 3The Science of Medicine of
ancient Indians named as ―Ayurveda‖ by them. Ayurveda is derived from two words Ayuh
which gives the meaning Life and Veda which gives the meaning to know or attain. The
Development of Medicine in our nation has followed and has developed in the same route as
the medicine during ancient times. The medicine has been started with a superstition of
magical medicine. The rational knowledge in this concept had known to the common people
with the origin of medical philosophy which has given a reasonable basis for the cause of a
disease, which is scientifically termed as ―aetiology‖ and also the cure of the diseases. The
effect of this philosophy of medicine is invariably on the society and political environment,
this effect has been caused not only due the concepts of medicine but also due to the
terminology given to them by the early writers.4

Medicine and treatment of disease is a science in India which has an origin that is lost in
antiquity. In Atharvaveda, the first step of superstition and sorcery is witnessed, with both
magic spells and herb remedies recommended as cures. The first logical approach can be seen
in the pre-Buddhist period when the Charakasamhita and Susrutasamhita were written.
Charaka and Susruta are notable for their approach to a medical philosophy that embodied
modern cosmology, elemental theory, and their relationship to the human body and wellbeing
at the time. The Buddhist era immediately followed this period. Human pain and sickness is
of great importance to Buddhists. Since Nirvana is thought to be a place of liberation from all
sufferings, the one who guides men to it, i.e. Buddha, was associated with a physician. As a
result, he was given the name Bhaishajya guru, which means "medicine-teacher." A balanced
body was considered a requirement for the peaceful attainment of wisdom and enlightenment,
and it was Buddha and the Bodhisattvas' primary obligation to support laymen and monks
alike in achieving it. Following the recognition of 'Suffering' as a 'Noble Reality,' i.e., an
unavoidable fact of life, the following truths were identified as the 'source of the suffering,
the way to overcoming it, and its final stop-ping.' In medical terms, these four truths relate to
pathology, aetiology, therapeutics, and recovery. If Buddhists adopted these ideas from
Indian medicine and gave them philosophical overtones or vice versa has remained a point of
contention. Some scholars believe that early Buddhist monastic institutions saw a major

3
Rochelle Foster, ‘ The History of Medicine’ 2016, p.5
4
Vijaya Deshpande, ‘Ancient Indian Medicine and its spread to china’ vol.36, no. 13. 2001 p. 1
growth in Indian medicine,‖ which was then Hinduized. Owing to a lack of further
investigation, this theory has remained speculative. While there are many passing references
to medicine and surgery in Buddhist canonical literature, they do not represent deeper
medical perspectives as ―seen in the Charaka/ Susruta compilations, which should have been
the case if Buddhists were to be credited as the promoters of significant medical growth.
Thus, for all we know, it was Buddhists who seem to have borrowed Ayurvedic ideas, and
Buddhism introduced these concepts to China in the 2nd/3rd centuries. 5

5
Vijaya Deshpande, ‘Ancient Indian Medicine and its spread to china’ vol.36, no. 13. 2001 p.2
 HISTORY
The Beginning of Ayurveda

It is unclear and we cannot exactly determine without any proof whether who was earlier
between the two notable physicians of‖ ancient India Charaka or Susrutha. But, according to
the literature of these two physicians, the literature of Charaka seems to be an earlier
literature, but contrast to this statement the ancients stated that surgery has evolved before
medicine. ―And also according to the mythology explained by Dr. Wise, in his Hindu
Medicine, He had said a story of Dhanwantari, the physician of Gods had asked his disciples
on which he shall teach them. And all unanimously answered to teach them on Surgery, the
reason behind their decision on asking to be taught on surgery rather than diseases was Gods
are immune to diseases but not wounds and bodily injuries caused due to wars which help
them to treat gods. And there is also a reason that physicians who practice surgery are more
respected. So Surgery was treated to be earlier than treating illness which has later came only
to the mankind.

The origin and development of Indian Medicine has a prolonged history. In the beginning, the
belief of people falling ill had been raised as a superstition in which they believe illness and
diseases were caused by Gods or by the Demons which was given as a punishment for wrong
doings or bad behaviour of the people. But later on this superstition had been supressed and a
new belief had been formed that good health can be maintained if there is a balance between
the elements of air, bile and mucous. Many Notable surgeons in India have developed surgery
to a much more higher standards than any other nations had developed with their ancient
civilizations. This milestone has been achieved due to the prohibition of dissection of human
bodies which had existed in several nations like Europe, China and also the Arab nations.
This prohibition has enabled the Indian doctors or physicians to gain knowledge on the
function of human bones, muscles, blood vessels and bone joints. Many Varieties of surgical
operations had been performed which also includes complex surgeries like the cosmetic
surgery on people who had been disfigured and caused injury to their body as a punishment
under the law. For example, In case of an adulterous wife has been punished to cut her nose
then Indian surgeons had gained knowledge and learnt how to repair‖ the damage and replace
the nose.6

6
Rochelle Foster, ‘ The History of Medicine’ 2016, p.4
Divisions of the Ayurveda.

The Ancient Tradition of Medicine in India can be observed to be divided into eight parts
which are named as

1. Kaya Chikitsa (General Medicine)

2. Bala Chikitsa (Obstectrics/ Pediatrics)
3. Graha Chikitsa (Psychiatry)
4. Salya Chikitsa (Surgery)
5. Salakya Chikitsa (ENT and Cephelic diseases)
6. Visha Chikitsa (Toxicology)
7. Rasayana (Rejuvenation Therapy)
8. Vajeekarana (Aphrodisiac Treatment)7

In these two are categorised for treating of surgery, five are categorised for some branch or
medicine and one ―has been categorised for what was later ages generally known as Life. The
first part which has been categorised as surgery deals with the surgery performed for the
removal of foreign bodies, healing of injuries caused by sharp objects, blisters, bandages and
also the proper treatment to be performed for the inflammations and abscesses. The Second
part which has also been categorised under surgery deals with the external damage to the
organs like eyes, ears, mouth and nose. The third part which had been classified under
Medical section deals with diseases which affect the whole body for example diseases like
fever and many more. The fourth part deals with the minor diseases relating to the brain. The
fifth art deals with diseases related to the new born babies or infants, the sixth part deals with
the antidotes of diseases, the seventh part deals with medicines for restoring youth commonly
can be termed as cosmetics. Chemistry which is a word derived from Arabic language but its
exhaustive usage and development of this science can be mostly seen in the seventh part of
the Ayurveda. And in the last the eight part deals with how the increasing support towards the
human race can be accomplished in its best form. These eight parts of Ayurveda has almost
been followed by‖ Susrutha and Charaka who are regarded as great physicians and surgeons
in the Ancient India. 8

7
Santigram, ‘The Eight Branches of Ayurveda’ https://santhigram.in/the-8-branches-of-ayurveda/ (accessed on
2 February 2021)
8
P. Johnston – Saint, ‘ An Outline of the history of medicine in India’ vol. 77, no. 3999, 1929
Literature of Ayurveda
The Rigveda and the ―Atharvaveda, both from the second millennium BC, contain the earliest
known knowledge of Ayurveda. The Atreya Samhita is the world's oldest medical text, dated
from the mid-I Millennium BC and maintained at Taksashila University. Internal medicine,
head and neck surgery, ophthalmology, surgery, toxicology, neuroscience, paediatrics,
gerontology or rejuvenation research, and fertility science are the eight divisions of Ayurveda
mentioned in the Atharvaveda. Susruta, a surgeon who invented the surgical techniques of
rhinoplasty (plastic surgery), wrote the Susruta Samhita about 500 BC in the University of
Banaras, which explains a highly developed surgery. Charaka, a physician, modified and
supplemented the Atreya Samhita, and his book, the Charak Samhita, is a detailed work on
internal medicine.

Susruta - Ancient Indian Surgeon

Surgery is referred to as Sastrakarma and is one of Ayurveda's eight branches. About 800
B.C., the first cases of surgery were reported.

Sushruta- Samhita contains a detailed summary of the procedures to be followed during a

surgical procedure.‖
The main divisions in Susrutha – Samhita as named as follows:
1. Chedya ( Excision)
2. Lekhya (Scarification),
3. Vedhya ( Puncturing) ,
4. Esya (Exploration),
5. Ahrya ( Extraction),
6. Vsraya ( Evacuation) and
7. Sivya ( Suturing).
Shushruta had exceptional surgical abilities and elevated surgery from a functional science to
an art form. ―Plastic surgery and ophthalmology were two of his specialties (removing
cataracts). The reconstruction of mutilated noses, also known as rhinoplasty, was one of
Shushruta's finest achievements.
Sushruta's surgery was said to have a very high success rate, and he drew crowds from all
over the country and also from outside. He meticulously carried out the surgery in a way that
was almost equivalent to that of modern-day surgeons.
Susruta Samhita:
The oldest treatise concerned with the practical issues of surgery and obstetrics is the
Sushruta Samhita. It was written by Shushruta, who used a dead body to study human
anatomy in great detail. He lived in Kashi, which is now known as Varanasi. 9 The aim of
Ayurveda, according to Susruta Samhita, is not only to treat sickness and affliction, but also
to maintain health and ensure a long and happy life. Susruta Samhita is devoted to
Ayurveda's medicinal branch. Sutrasthana (fundamental postulates cover 46 chapters),
Nidanasthana (pathology, covers 16 chapters), Sarirasthana (embryology and anatomy,
covers 10 chapters),‖ Cikitsasthana (medical treatment, covers 40 chapters), Kalpasthana
(toxicology, covers 8 chapters), and Uttaratantra (specialised knowledge, covers 66 chapters)
are the five divisions.10

Charaka - Ancient India Physician

Charaka was ―a well-known Ayurveda practitioner and author of the Charaka Samahita, a
popular treatise on medicine. He spent a lot of time writing about digestion, metabolism, and
the immune system. Body works, according to him, since it comprises three doshas: bile,
phlegm, and breeze. After food is eaten, dhatus - blood, meat, and marrow - work to create
these. When the three doshas are out of control, the body gets ill. To reestablish this
equilibrium, he recommended medications.

Charaka advises that a surgeon who does not penetrate a patient's body with the lamp of
experience and understanding will never be able to cure diseases. He put a stronger focus on
prevention than treatment. Charaka also wrote about genetics, such as the influences that
influence a child's sex. Blindness from birth, according to Charaka, is caused by a defect in
the ovum and sperm, rather than a defect in the mother or parent. Physiology, aetiology, and
embryology are some of the more notable areas covered by Charaka Samahita. 11

Charaka Samhita:

9
Ancient Indian Medicine, https://www.thisismyindia.com/ancient_india/ancient-india-medicine.html
(accessed on 2 February 2021)
10
D.P. Agarwal and Ankit Tiwari, ‘Ayurveda: the Traditional Indian Medicine System and its Global
Dissemination’ https://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/t_es/t_es_agraw_ayurveda_frameset.htm
(accessed on 26 January 2021)
11
Ancient Indian Medicine, https://www.thisismyindia.com/ancient_india/ancient-india-medicine.html
(accessed on 3 February 2021)
The Charaka Samhita is a comprehensive medical text. The Samhita of Agnivesa, a follower
of the medical sage Atreya, is said to‖ be Charaka's original. In the Charaka Samhita, long
passages are written in the form of questions and answers between Atreya and Agnivesa.
Charaka is the personal title of a physician in King Kaniska's court, as well as a class title of a
group of physicians dating back to Vedic times. (At this time, there is no consensus on
Charaka's birthday.) The ―Charaka Samhita is divided into eight parts with a total of 120
verses. Since the overall aim of the treatise is to encourage immortality, the total number of
chapters (120) most definitely corresponds to man's maximum life period (120 years).

The Charaka Samhita uses over 600 medicines of animal, fruit, and mineral origin, while the
Susruta Samhita uses over 650. Susruta lists over 300 procedures, 42 surgical techniques, and
121 various types of instruments. The Samhitas divide Ayurveda into eight branches: surgical
knowledge, Salakyatantra (treatment of diseases of the head, nose, eye, tongue, oral cavity,
and throat), Bhutavidya (knowledge of psychiatric diseases, diseases of spiritual origin),
Kaumarabhrtya (care of children and infantile disorders), Agadatantra (toxicology),
Rasayanatantra (syrup, tonic knowledge), and Vajikaranatantr (knowledge of virility).12

Astangasamagraha
Vagabhata's Astangasamagraha, probably from 600 CE, is an important text of Vrihatrayi
that offers a systematic and detailed medical knowledge. It primarily shares the doctrinal and
therapeutic contents of Charaka Samhita. The fields in these branches of medicine include
anaesthesia, cancer treatment, children's disorders, aphrodisiac toxicology, and dominant
diseases. Herbal remedies were also given a lot of attention in these documents. Susruta
refers to many solved discussion methods of preparation as well as an elaborate account of
alkali extraction from plant sources, rendering these works an invaluable source of chemistry
knowledge in India. The most prominent feature of this Medical science is to comprehend
man and nature in their near elemental identity in order to hold the former in safe hands and
to heal him of his decisions when‖ they are affected.13

12
Ancient Indian Medicine, https://www.thisismyindia.com/ancient_india/ancient-india-medicine.html
(accessed on 4 February 2021)
13
Medical Science in Ancient India, https://www.sanskritimagazine.com/vedic_science/medical-science-
ancient-india/ (accessed on 4 February 2021)
Atreya and Agnivesa
As early as 800 BC, Indian ―authors including Atreya and Agnivesa dealt with the ideas of
Ayurveda. In the eighth century B.C., a renowned physician named Agnivesa wrote an
encyclopaedic treatise. Charaka assembled a compendium of Ayurvedic concepts and
traditions in his treatise Charaka-Samahita, which consolidated their work and other
innovations.

Supremacy of Surgery in Ancient India

Surgery is still regarded as the exclusive domain of western medicine. Few people recognise
that the first effective surgical operations were conducted about 2500 years ago by ancient
Indian surgeons. Sushruta, who lived in the 6th century B.C., was a pioneer in the
development of surgical procedures for hyposomatic patients. Even in the current situation,
his surgic methods remain extremely important.

Today, Indian science may not be the best in the world. However, most of us are unaware that
ancient Indian scientists were the forerunners of many western research and medical
activities. Indian scientists, whether in mathematics, physics, agriculture, or medicine, were
the torchbearers for the whole planet. Let us look at the life and works of an ancient Indian
physician whose achievements are astonishingly‖ important to the modern world in this
essay.

Dhanvantari, Bharadwaja, and Atreya were among the Vedic physicians who studied
classical medicine. During ―the times of Charaka and Sushruta, however, great development
in Ayurvedic medicine (based on natural herbs) was achieved. Human embryology, anatomy,
metabolism, and various disorders and their care are all covered in the Charaka Samhita. The
Sushruta Samhita explains surgery, with several complex and complicated procedures such as
removing a stone from the urinary bladder and delivering a foetus in an abdominal operation
(which later came to be known as Caesarean section)

Sushruta's innovative way of tying intestinal wounds with large ants by making them bite the
cut ends and then chopping off the ants' bodies is still used in many countries today. In
addition to acting as a stitch, ants secrete antiseptic formalin, which aids in wound healing.
Sushruta flourished in the 6th century B.C. and was the son of the sage Vishwamitra. He
wrote the ‗Sushruta Samhita,' which is an authentic text on the practise of Ayurveda, an
Indian medicine. This text goes through all of the medical operations in great detail.
Sushruta has grouped different drugs into categories based on their source of supply and
pharmacological properties in his paper. He also instructed students on how to study and
practise medicine. However, anaesthesia (reversible lack of feeling with or without loss of
consciousness) and analgesia were not well understood (absence of aseptic suturing
materials).‖

Surgical care was unprecedented anywhere in the world during Sushruta's period, so his
surgical ―experience was considered exceptional. When medications and medicine failed to
heal diseases, he prioritised surgical treatment. To have a better understanding of human
anatomy, he used to have his students perform dissections on a dead body. To familiarise
them with surgical techniques, he would have them perform surgeries on inanimate objects.
Many of the surgical incisions and other operating procedures mentioned in the "Sushruta
Samhita" are still used today in the same way that Sushruta recommended.

Sushruta used Kshara Karma and Agni Karma practises, which were close to modern cantery
techniques such as fire, corrosive chemicals, freezing, or electricity, to burn unwanted tissue.
For this, Sushruta depended solely on chemicals. To extract residual granulation tissue from
infected wounds, this treatment was used. Red-hot or white-hot materials, normally a piece of
wire or a pointed metallic instrument, are heated in a blaze in thermo canterv.

He has mastered precision eye surgery techniques, but most of his opthalmic treatments are
no longer used, with the exception of cataract, glaucoma, and some accident cases. Even
now, his venesection approach remains the only cure for diseases like Polycythaemia vera (a
blood disorder).
The Sushruta Samhita mentions a number of methods for removing foreign bodies such as
metal fragments, sticks, horns, and other‖ objects.

Sushruta excelled as an ―orthopaedic surgeon. Since making a thorough and detailed

diagnosis of the fractured bone fragments, he retracted and put right the fractures.
Sushruta also explains what happens if a pregnant woman does not deliver at full term. This
is nearly identical to what is done nowadays during a Cesarean section. Human anatomy,
embryology, obstetrics, and gynaecology are also covered in depth.

In terms of current scientific understanding, many of the pathophysiological points of

diseases described in the texts are difficult to comprehend. Even today, many of the
symptoms (patient complaints) and signs (factors elicited by the doctor) of almost all diseases
described in Sushruta Samhita can be seen. There is a detailed explanation of Rabies, for
example. According to Sushruta, it is exacerbated by rabies-infected carnivores such as dogs,
cats, and even jungle animals such as jackals, bears, and monkeys biting or licking abraded
flesh. He's also seen the hydrophobia syndrome, in which a rabies patient has a pathological
fear of water. However, modern diseases such as syphilis and AIDS are not included in the
document.The text discusses snake bites, rats bites, scorpion bites, and other related bites, as
well as the medical services available at the moment. The definition and condition are not the
same as in the Charaka Samhita.‖

During the time of Sushruta, many basic ―plastic surgery procedures were in use. This is how
Sushruta describes it in his letter. Skin and facial graftings were common during his period,
as shown by this.14

Herb Medicine Tango in Ancient India

Indian plants, spices, and drugs have enticed foreign merchants in the history of maritime
trade. So much so that, enticed by the wealth of these spices and drugs, exploration voyages
proceeded to modify the world map as mariners sought to work out the fastest routes to India
during the 15th century.
Many books and texts describing regional medicines and therapies of India were written
during these exciting times by foreign merchants. Annamma Spudich, a Stanford University-
educated biologist who is now a botany historian, has combed the globe for such materials.

She points to the fundamental science behind many indigenous botanical medicinal activities
in an ongoing exhibition at the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) in Bangalore

14
Surgical Supremacy in Ancient India, https://todaysclinician.com/surgical-supremacy-in-ancient-india/ (accessed
on 6 February 2021)
(13 January-31 March 2017), drawing an intriguing plot between these natural allies as a
"consummate illustration of pre-modern science" in India.
―These uniquely Indian information resources add an important dimension to our
understanding of disease mechanisms, and they can assist modern research tools in seeking
therapeutic solutions to diseases that have been historically unsolvable,‖ says Spudich.

Images and texts from European books detailing now-extinct regional Indian medicines and
remedies, which are not found in classical Indian medical texts, are on view.
European authors explain the healing properties of plants and disease effects from a
biomedicine perspective in these‖ books. Modern biomedical researchers may find these
more accessible than Indian classical medical texts. Spudich believes they may be useful
tools for future biomedical research in India.

Among the other intriguing displays is one from England's Gentleman's Magazine, which
explains "A Single Operation" — a nose job on a Maratha bullock cart driver called
Cowasjee who ―served in the British army. Cowasjee's nose, which had been mutilated in
combat, was allegedly replaced with a flap of skin from his forehead by a local folk
practitioner. This was a procedure performed for generations in India, according to folk
medical practises.

Another display panel depicts typical indigo production from the leaves of the Indian plant
Indigo ferratinctoria L, as well as the chemical reaction that transforms the colourless
precursor indican in the leaves into the bright blue indigo dye. "While many of the underlying
principles were unclear at the time," says Spudich, "all of the complex molecular processes
and chemistry have been confirmed by modern scientific methods."

The exhibition is followed by a collection of brief audio narratives that transport the viewer
to the times and locations where such interesting science was taking place — amidst busy
maritime merchants in local bazaars where indigenous expertise found takers. It's a
fascinating journey through centuries, aided by layered light installations that represent
significant historical awareness landmarks and hand-drawn drawings that illustrate Indian
healing folklore.‖
Spudich had previously ―curated an exhibition at NCBS called 'Such Treasures and Rich
Merchandize' after becoming interested in Indian botany history at Cambridge University
Library after reading John Gerard's 'The Greate Herball' in 1597. 15

Concept of Disease

Ayurveda is a humoural medicine philosophy that believes in three fundamental humours

that, when out of control, induce disease. Vayu (air), pitta (bile), and kapha (phlegm) are the
three humours; a fourth humour, blood, was sometimes introduced in the surgical tradition.

Vayu: In its action and influence over all space, Vayu is self-begotten, immortal, all-
pervading, and all-powerful. All living organisms are formed, evolve, and disintegrate under
its influence. It is classified into five categories based on its position and functions: prana
vayu (maintains breath, transmits food), udana vayu (vocal tone, music, and speech are
dependent on it), samana vayu (causes digestion), vyana vayu (causes perspiration), and
apana vayu (causes apana vayu) (causes the downward movement of stool, urine, semen and
menses).

Pitta: Pitta is the cosmic concept of fire. It is responsible for the production of heat, energy,
and other sources of radiant energy in the body, as well as the heart's pumping action, skin
temperature, and blood vitality. Pitta is divided into five forms in the body: ranjaka pitta
(colour producing fire), pacaka pitta (digestive fire), sadhaka pitta (motion producing fire),
alocaka pitta (vision producing fire), and bhrajaka pitta (bhrajaka pitta) (lustre giving fire).

Kapha: The soothing and cooling principles of Kapha are supplied to the body. There are
five types of kapha, based on their position and function: kladaka (supply mucous to the
system), avalambaka (transport blood fluids), vodhaka (tasting agent), tarpaka (irrigating
agent), and slesmaka (supply mucous to the system) (binding agent).

15
Subhra Priyadarshini, ‘Herb Medicine Tango in Ancient India’ 2017
Derangement of one or more of the three humours, as well as blood, causes vyadhis
(diseases). According to the Samhitas, there are four types of vyadhi (diseases): agantuja
(external), sarira (internal), manasa (mental), and svabhavika (internal) (natural).‖

Concept of Treatment

The most striking characteristic of ―Ayurveda is direct perception, which is often linked to
metaphysics. The Samhitas agree with this viewpoint, writing that of all forms of proofs,
those that can be clearly seen by the eyes are the most reliable. Effective medical care,
according to Ayurveda, is dependent on four factors: the surgeon, substances (drugs or diets),
nurse, and patient. Ses four aspects were adequately defined in the Samhitas. Ayurveda's key
pathways are these four ones. Physician, medication or material, nurse assistant, and patient
are the four basic attributes of medical factors. A physician's credentials include a thorough
understanding of the science's scientific substance, a wide variety of experience, clinical
competence, and cleanliness. The following are characteristics of medications or substances:
abundance, applicability, different uses, and effectiveness diversity. Nursing attendants must
have experience of nursing methods, professional skills, a good commitment to the patient,
and a clean environment. Patients may also possess the following qualities: excellent recall,
compliance with doctor's orders, bravery, and the capacity to explain symptoms.

Ayurvedic Medicine in the Eastern and Western

Ayurvedic works were translated into Chinese by 400 AD, and Chinese scholars were
practising medicine at Nalanda University in India by 700 AD. Ayurveda, as well as
impacting Chinese theology and philosophy by Buddhism, had a major impact on Chinese
medicine and herbology. Ayurvedic works were translated into Arabic in 800 AD.
Paracelsus, the founder of modern Western medicine, studied and propagated a method of
medicine that was strongly influenced by‖ Ayurveda in 16th century Europe. We'll take a
broad look at Ayurveda in the following discussion.
Ayurvedic Medicine in China and Tibet
The ancient medical research had an influence outside of the Indian subcontinent as well.
Ayurveda's main texts ―are also available in Arabic, Persian, Tibettian, and a variety of other
languages. The botanical science in Europe was inspired by ayurvedic ideas. The general
importance of these sites can be gauged by the fact that it is now practised in India and
elsewhere as a viable alternative to western medicine's allopathic history. 16

Not only the concept of Buddhism was offered to China by Ancient India, but also the
Traditional Practice of Ayurveda, which had been a part of Chinese creation for many years.
This reality of Ayurvedic Information being given to China is a little-known fact that was
stated in an encyclopaedia on the cultural agreements between the two countries. After Vice
President Hamid Ansari's visit to China, the encyclopaedia was published during his
presidency. Ayurvedic wisdom was imparted to China at a time when they were learning
acupuncture and pulse analysis techniques.

A Chinese monk named Xuanzang visited India between CE 629 and 645, and another
Chinese monk named Yijing visited between CE 671 and 695. During their stay in India, they
learned that Indian doctors are well-versed in Chinese therapies such as acupuncture and
pulse test. They had even taken books on medical science and Buddhist works with them as
they returned to mainland China. They also brought back material on medicinal plants,
therapeutic methods, and hospital and dispensary organisation. The encyclopaedia stated that
during their visit to China, Indian monks assisted in the translation of books into Chinese
literature because they were often interested in medicine, as shown by their scriptures. 17

Even during the Kushana period, India maintained communication with China. Bahlika was a
major meeting point for merchants from China, India, and West Asia, where they traded
commodities and ideas. The Gupta time saw the establishment of strong ties between India
and China. Scholars from China such as Fahiyan, Ywan Chwang, and Itsing served as
excellent cultural ambassadors between the two‖ nations. During Kumaragupta's reign, the

16
Medical Science in ancient India, https://www.sanskritimagazine.com/vedic_science/medical-science-
ancient-india/ (accessed on 7 February 2021)
17
Ancient India’s Ayurvedic Medicines were part of China’s milieu, The Economic Times, 1 July 2014,
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ancient-indias-ayurvedic-medicines-were-part-of-chinese-
milieu/articleshow/37583399.cms?from=mdr (accessed on 6 February 2021)
University of Nalanda drew ―a significant number of scholars and students from China.
Ayurvedic texts have been translated into Chinese.

The Bower Manuscript, named after its discoverer, Lieutenant H. Bower, was discovered in
Kuchar, Eastern Turkestan, in 1890, along China's great caravan road. It was then sent to
Colonel J. Waterhouse, the President of the Asiatic Society of Bengal, where it was edited by
the renowned Indologist Hoernle. Parts I-III and Parts V-VII were written by Indian Buddhist
monks, according to Hoernle's detailed review of the book. The manuscripts are printed in the
Gupta script of India. They may have come from Kashmir or Udyana based on the use of
birch-bark for printing. Hoernle believes they gave the manuscripts to the writer of Part IV,
who seems to be from Eastern Turkestan or China. Yet Yasomitra, the sole owner of the
whole set of manuscripts, had to be a dominant figure in that monastery. For this collective
manuscript was stored in the relic chamber of the memorial stupa constructed in his honour at
the Ming-oi of Qum Tura. The Navanitaka, a massive medical treatise, is the second part of
the Bower manuscript, which dates from the second half of the fourth century AD. There are
some similarities between the Chinese and Indian medical systems. The Chinese idea of Ying
and Yang is similar to Prakriti and Purusa in Indian philosophy. Similarly, the Chinese and
Indian systems share the same five fundamental components. The pulse reading method in
India seems to have been influenced by the Chinese.

The Tibetan and Indian medical systems were both intertwined. Rgyud bzi is the most
commonly used Tibetan medical book (meaning Catus-tantra, four treatises). It was based on
the Tantra Amrta Hrdaya Astanga Guhyopadesa Amrta Hrdaya Astanga Guhyopadesa Amrta
Hrdaya Astanga Guhyo Vairochana, a Tibetan scholar, translated it into Tibetan in the 8th
century AD (Dash 1992). Ayurveda‖ has a big impact on Tibetan medicine, so it's also a big
part of Buddhism. Many treatments for stubborn and incurable illnesses could be found in
their materia medica.18

18
D.P. Agarwal and Ankit Tiwari, ‘Ayurveda: the Traditional Indian Medicine System and its Global
Dissemination’ https://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/t_es/t_es_agraw_ayurveda_frameset.htm
(accessed on 4 February 2021)
Yoga - Ancient System of Medicine

Yoga, a system of movement ―for physical and mental well-being, was an important part of
the ancient healing system. Though it has been around for a long time, Patanjali compiled all
of the fundamentals of yoga in his treatise, Yogasutra, around 200 BC. Patanjali believed that
by practising yoga, the dormant energies within the human body could be awakened and
liberated, resulting in a beneficial effect on the body and mind. He studied and preached
yogic techniques for treating a variety of illnesses and chronic diseases.

Through trade and cultural encounters with other countries around the world, the ancient
medical system evolved ever further. Indian traders and Buddhist monks disseminated Indian
medicinal expertise to other nations.

Buddhist monks applied the Ayurvedic medical philosophy to Tibet and China. As a result of
India's interaction with the Arab world, Indian medical books such as Charak Samhita and
Susrut Samhita were translated into Arabic. The Greeks who came into contact with India
during the Indo-Greek rule in 180 BC-10 AD were also inspired by Indian medical principles.

The ancient form of medicine was patronised by subsequent Indian kingdoms, which
contributed to its extension. In India today, the Ayurvedic medical system is broadly
accepted, and Yoga is widely practised for the treatment of a variety of chronic illnesses.
Furthermore, the ancient medical system‖ has gained worldwide recognition and approval.

Ancient Indian Medicines and Medicinal Plants

Since many drugs ―were made from a mixture of plants and minerals or even only plant
extracts, ancient Indian medicine has a strong link to medicinal plants. Some of the most
popular medicinal plants used in Ayurveda are thought to have been used since the beginning
of time. Amla, Ahoka (even mentioned in the Ramayana), Aswagandha, Bael, Brahmi,
Chiraita, Guggul, Sandal Wood, Satavari, Tulsi, Pippermint, Gritkumari (Aloe), Vringraj,
Rakta Chitrak, Neem, and a variety of spices such as turmeric, pepper, dalchini, elaichi, and
others are some of the most popular medicinal plants.19

19
Ancient Indian Medicine, https://www.thisismyindia.com/ancient_india/ancient-india-medicine.html
(accessed on 5 February 2021)
Conclusion

It is obvious that ancient India had its own medical science. Since ancient times, Ayurveda
has been studied and used. This healing system has a strong reputation in Indian medicine,
and its no-side-effect therapies are now gaining popularity in foreign markets as well.
However, this empirical consciousness is in sharp contradiction to the hierarchical society's
ideological criteria. The guardians of counter philosophy, who want to cast a magical curtain
over man and nature, see trouble in every facet of science consciousness, including its
secularism for logical data collection, metabolism, and political engagement. From the Yajur
Veda to manuscript commentaries, doctors and their physicians are constantly condemned. At
the very least, some scientists attempt to avoid censorship by submitting to it at the risk of
self-consistency. The texts of Charaka and Susruta tell us how the medical tradition
flourished in ancient Indian culture.Though modern equipment has replaced Sushruta's
ancient procedures, it is not unreasonable to believe that the foundation of most modern
surgery still lies in ancient Indian traditions. 20

Ayurveda basically is gaining attention these days because it stresses the kind of basic
principles of (1) interaction with nature, (2) holism, and (3) we basically are what we mostly
consume. Hundreds of millions of people around the world use Ayurveda as part of their
everyday actually routine in a pretty major way. Its values literally are applied not only to the
treatment of sick people, but also to the preparation of a nutritious particularly meal and the
development of a peaceful atmosphere in a for all intents and purposes major way. The
principles of definitely preventive health treatment and health promotion for the most part are
brought to life in Ayurveda in a big way. Ayurveda''s aim really is to assist individuals in
finding their fairly own really personal awareness of living, or so they basically‖ thought.21

20
A Note on Ancient Surgical Practices in India, 2020, https://vedicwellnessuniversity.com/a-note-on-ancient-
surgical-practices-in-ayurveda/ (accessed on 8 February 2021)
21
D.P. Agarwal and Ankit Tiwari, ‘Ayurveda: the Traditional Indian Medicine System and its Global
Dissemination’ https://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/t_es/t_es_agraw_ayurveda_frameset.htm
(accessed on 13 February 2021)
Bibliography

Referred Books

1. The History of Medicine by Rochelle Foster.

2. Ancient Indian Medicine and Its Spread to China by Vijay Deshpande.
3. An Outline of the history of medicine in India by P.Johnston Saint

Referred Journals/ Websites

1. https://www.sanskritimagazine.com/vedic_science/medical-science-ancient-india/
2. https://www.thisismyindia.com/ancient_india/ancient-india-medicine.html
3. http://ancientindianwisdom.com/health-and-wellness/the-vedic-system-of-medicine
4. https://todaysclinician.com/surgical-supremacy-in-ancient-india/
5. https://www.infinityfoundation.com/mandala/t_es/t_es_agraw_ayurveda_frameset.ht
m
6. https://vedicwellnessuniversity.com/a-note-on-ancient-surgical-practices-in-ayurveda/
7. https://www.natureasia.com/en/nindia/article/10.1038/nindia.2017.36
8. https://santhigram.in/the-8-branches-of-ayurveda/
9. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ancient-indias-ayurvedic-medicines-were-part-
of-chinese-milieu/articleshow/37583399.cms?from=mdr