Traditional Medicine in Asia

Traditional Medicine in Asia
culture, which owes allegiance to the cult
of Shiva and the worship of the Phallus
(linga). The Siddha system of medicine
extensively describes the use of herbomineral
products like mercury, sulfur, iron,
copper, gold and arsenic. The principles
and doctrines of the Siddha system have a
close similarity to Ayurveda with specialization
in iatrochemistry.
Historical Background
The history of Ayurveda can be traced to
different periods, the earliest being the
Vedic period when the Aryans compiled the
four Vedas (1500–800 BC) with maximum
references in Rigveda and Atharvaveda.
Ayurveda originated in Heaven from Lord
Brahma, who passed on this knowledge
to Dakshaprajapati and then to the
Ashwinikumaras – the physicians of
Devatas who transmitted it to Lord Indra. 3
On earth, when diseases were at their
peak, Maharshi Bharadwaj approached
Indra and got the knowledge of Ayurveda.
Later, Maharshi Atreya learnt Ayurveda
from Bharadwaj and taught it to Agnivesh
and others. Agnivesh authored the
Agnivesh Tantra, known as Charak
Samhita (5th Century BC). Kashiraj
4
Divodas Dhanvantari obtained knowledge
of Ayurveda from Lord Indra and taught it
to Sushruta, who authored the Sushrut
Samhita 4 (6th – 5th Century BC).
Vagbhata (7th Century AD) was highly
influenced by the teachings of Lord
Buddha. He authored Ashtanga Sangraha
and Ashtanga Hridaya texts. During the
Medieval Period, Sharangadhara Samhita
(14th Century AD) described the
examination of the pulse for the first time, 5
as a method of clinical examination and
use of metals and minerals like gold, silver,
iron, mercury and copper for preparing
Ayurvedic medicines. In the 16th Century,
Rasa Tantra in Northern India and Siddha
in the South dealt mostly with a large
number of metallic preparations as
remedies. The most important metal used
with success was mercury in many forms.
Fundamental Principles
Ayurveda accepts the metaphysical concept
of creation as proclaimed in ancient Indian
treatises. 6 The Prakriti and Purush prelude
gross creation. Mahat originates from the
absolute nature (the un-manifest) with all
its qualities leading to Ahamkara, which is
of three types – Vaikarika (Sattvika), Taijasa
(Rajasa) and Bhutadi (Tamasa). The 11
Indriyas – five organs of perception (ear,
skin, eye, tongue, nose), five effecter organs
(speech organ, hands, sex organs, rectum,
feet) and the mind – are created out of the
Vaikarika Ahamkara with the help of Taijasa
Ahamkara. The Panchatanmatras (five
basic substances – sound, touch, vision,
taste, odour) are created out of Bhutadi
Ahamkara with the help of Taijasa
Ahamkara.
The Panchamahabhuta (five basic
elements) are evolved from these
Panchatanmatras, i.e., Akash (ether), Vayu
(air), Agni (fire), Jala (water) and Prithvi
(earth).