History, Present and Prospect of Ayurveda
Anupama Kizhakkeveettil, Jayagopal Parla,Kishor Patwardhan, Aanchal Sharma, Swati Sharma
Abstract:
Ayurveda, India’s traditional healthcare system, originated more than5,000 years ago. Originally transmitted orally, Ayurveda’s earliest concepts were first recorded during Vedic period. Documented history available today from the Indian subcontinent dates 3,500 years and those references suggests that the oral tradition of Ayurveda is much older. Ayurveda is considered as a time-tested system of healthcare that reflects applied aspects of human life. This healthcare system incorporates the physical, psychological, spiritual, social, and subtle dimensions of life as well as brings balance in life by health promotion and wellness care, prevention, and management of diseases. This comprehensive system of traditional medicine mainly focuses on bringing optimum quality of life. Ayurveda Medicine states that building a healthy community starts with individual responsibility — to actively participate in the process of health maintenance and health-promoting actions through various lifestyle practices. Ayurvedic Medicine utilizes various interventions such as medications including herbs, detoxification therapies, bodywork therapies, rejuvenation therapies, diet, yoga/exercise, daily routine, seasonal routine, self, interpersonal, and social perspective conduct.
Ayurveda has an age-old history since the Vedic period and Ayurveda textbooks were composed somewhere between 4th century BCE and 2nd century AD. Since, Ayurveda Medicine has evolved as a system of medicine with a rational and logical foundation. During the 6th century BC to 7th century AD, there was systematic development of this science, and that period is known as the Samhita period. Major literary work developed during this period. The current status of Ayurveda in countries outside India is reflected in its increasing visibility globally. While these traditional Indian life science applications have been enthusiastically embraced in many Western countries, most Westerners have yet to realize the value of Ayurveda as a medical system whose scope encompasses the prevention, treatment, and management of a plethora of diseases. The World Health Organization has played a key role in spreading Ayurvedic knowledge worldwide. The traditional health systems that are officially recognized in India include Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, and so on, which are represented by the acronym AYUSH. AYUSH system has been absorbed into the national healthcare delivery system in India and plays a major role in the development of Ayurveda nationally and internationally. In the recent few decades, there has been increased awareness in Ayurveda globally. However, there is an urgent need for strategic planning to address certain challenges. The advancement of Ayurvedic Medicine both within and beyond India will require a multi-pronged effort to align it with contemporary evidence-based medicine. Pharmaco-epidemiologic studies documenting its safety and effectiveness and new clinical processes, research protocols, and whole-system treatment regimens are needed. As one of the oldest traditional healthcare systems that pioneered a holistic, personalized approach to medicine that has thrived for thousands of years, Ayurveda promises to play an innovative, dynamic, and highly valued role in the continued evolution of integrative healthcare. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of basic foundational concepts in Ayurvedic Medicine including historical background and present status of Ayurveda in India and other foreign countries.
