Kaya-chikitsa (काय-चिकित्सा):

Kaya-chikitsa is the most major branch of Ayurveda in which prognosis, diagnosis, and
treatment take place. ‘Kaya’ refers to Agni (fire) in Ayurveda.

Kaya-chikitsa | Ashtang Ayurveda

Kaya-chikitsa Also known as Agni chikitsa or internal medicine. Now We need to
understand what is ‘fire’ or Agni in Ayurveda to understand what is agni chikitsa, From the
basic cells of the body to the entire body system is going through a continuous organism
process all the time – in Ayurveda, it is called Tridosha(Vata, pitta, and Kapha) and in
modern medical science it is called Anabolism, Catabolism, and Metabolism. As long as
the Agni of the body is functioning properly till then tridoshas, sapta dhatu, the action of
excretion will work fine.
Looking after all the internal functions of the body are conducted properly, with the
happiness of the mind and soul, energy development as well as proper consumption by a
person, and remain disease-free and healthy, comes under this branch of Ayurveda known
as Kaya-chikitsa. There are a total of 13 types of Agni according to Maharshi Charaka.
Kaya-chikitsa Majorly take care of jathar-agni also known as digestive fire.
Kumar-Bhritya (Bal-Chikitsa)
Bal-chikitsa(बाल-चिकित्सा): the Procedure in which Ayurveda takes care of the health of
the mother and a baby from fertilization of eggs up to a growth of the child, in other words,
pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy, after pregnancy until the child got 16 year old. In modern
medical science, it is also known as Pediatrics and Obstetrics. There is a famous scripture
in Ayurveda called Kashyap Sanhita based upon this branch of Ayurveda. Bal- chikitsa also
known as Kumar-Bhritya, Kumar refers to child from the age between 1 to 16 and Bhritya
means to taking care of health and proper hygiene.

Kumar-Bhritya
(Bal-Chikitsa) | Ashtang Ayurveda

Grah chikitsa(गह
ृ -चिकित्सा):

Grah chikitsa also known as bhoot vaidhya. Many authors and vaidya have many
definitions of this field of Ayurveda. Conclusively a branch of Ayurveda in which we
treatment of mental diseases is mainly done by methods such as stringing, herbal smoke,
hitting, injecting drugs into nose, correcting emotions, eradicating illusions, misbeliefs, and
focusing on calmness to the mind and soul take place known as grah chikitsa (bhoot
vidhya). In modern medical science, it is known as psychotherapy.
 Bhoot Vidya
and Shalya Tanta | Ashtang Ayurveda

Shalya tantra(शल्य-चिकित्सा):

Maharishi Sushrut, the Father of Indian Medicine” and “Father of Plastic Surgery. On the
topic of shalya-tantra, we are talking about Maharshi sushrut because basically, he had
introduced this branch of Ayurveda to the world. The branch of Ayurveda in which we
treats and manage injuries and diseases by operative procedures comes under the branch of
Shalya tantra. Maharshi Sushruta had written Sushruta Samhita in the 5th century B.C. It
would not be an exaggeration to say that without his studies and contributed to surgical
medicinal science we wouldn’t be able to imagine this modern surgical medicinal science.
He had introduced uses of yantra, kshar, Agni(fire), shastra(weapon), and Padya.

Shalakya tantra(शालाक्य तंत्र):

According to Ayurveda Problem related to ear nose throat and eyes belongs to shalakya
tantra. In modern medical science it is known as ENT(otorhinolaryngology).
 Ashtang Ayurveda(Shalakya tantra and Agad tantra)

Agad tantra(अगद तंत्र):

A branch of Ayurveda Medicine science deals with the nature and effects of poisons. Enlisted
by plants, metals, and minerals(sthavar vish), by wild animals (jangad vish), produced by
mixing two or more different natured herbs and medicines(sanyojak vish) comes under agad
tantra.

Rasayan tantra(रसायन तंत्र):

Rasayan a word contains two subwords ras+ayan, ras refers to ras rakta and dhatu of body.
And ayan means “way of acquiring”. Combine definition can be “a study of rejuvenation of
the body, prevention of diseases, aging symptoms, and a way of long and healthy life.
Rasayan medicines are used to prevent diseases, detoxification, and immunology.
 Ashtang Ayurveda(Rasayan Tantra and Vajikaran Tantra)

Vajikaran tantra(वाजीकरण तंत्र):

A branch of Ayurveda in which reproduction capacity, impotency, sperms related diseases,

sperm deficiency, physical weakness, etc. are treated is called as Vajikaran. it looks
after improving physical strength, increasing sexual potency, pleasure, and behavior
through herbal and ayurvedic medicines. in other words a “science of aphrodisiacs”.
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