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❖ TRADITIONAL SYSTEM OF MEDICINE

• Traditional system of medicine is also known as folklore medicine system.
• Almost every country or region has its own ways of ailing the community. The traditional systems are
therefore also known as indigenous remedies.
• Traditional systems have used world wide for centuries and certain ancient medicine system are still
popular and used in their country region.
❖ Definition
WHO defines traditional medicine as –
• “The health practices, approaches, knowledge and beliefs incorporating plants, animal and mineral
based medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises, applied singularly or in
combination to treat, diagnose and prevent illness or maintain well-being.”
• Traditional system of medication
i) Ayurveda
ii) Siddha
iii) Unani system of medicine
iv) Homeopathy

1. AYURVEDA- THE INDIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINE

• “Ayur” means life and “Veda” means science
• This system of medicine came into existence in about 900 BC ago.
• Ayurveda system of medicine is the oldest written medicine system and in certain cases, it is even
assumed to be most effective than modern medicine.
• Ayurveda system of medicine developed an extensive use of medicine from plant origin.
• Ayurveda has Eight divisions such as-
1.Kayacikitsa (Medicine)
2.Salakya (Ent. &Optha.)
3.Salya (Surgery)
4.Visa Vigyan (Toxicology)
5.Bhuta Vidya (Psychiatry Medicine)
6.Kaumarabhrtya(Pediatrics)
7.Rasayana (Rejuvenates)
8.Vajikarana (Aphrodisiac)

❖ Basic Principles of Ayurveda

Basic Principles of Ayurveda comprise of :
1.The TriGunas-
Three Fundamental universal energies : viz - Satva ,Rajas and Tamas
2.The PancaMahabhutas -
Five basic elements viz.-Akasha (Space),Vayu (Air),Teja or Agni(Fire),Jala(Water)
and Prithvi (Earth)
3.The TriDosas -
Three Body Humours viz.-Vata,Pitta and Kapha
4.The SaptaDhatus -
Seven types of body tissues :viz.- Rasa (fluid) Dhatu, Rakta(blood)Dhatu, Mamsa
Dhatu,Meda(fat)Dhatu,Asthi Dhatu,Majja Dhatu and Sukra Dhatu
5.The TrayodosaAgni -
Thirteen types of digestive fires : viz.-Jatharagni (gastric fire), SaptaDhatvagni and
PancaBhutagni
6.The TriMalas -
Three types of Body Wastes :viz.-Purisa (faeces),Mutra (urine) and Sveda (sweat)
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(i) Pancha Bhuta

• The five mahabhutas are Akasa,Vayu, Agni,Ap or jala and Prthivi . viz – Sound,Touch,Vision,
Taste,and Smell are their properties respectively .
• According to Ayurveda everything in Universe is composed of the Pancamahabhutas – Akasa
(Space), Vayu (Air), Teja or Agni(Fire),Jala(Water)and Prithvi (Earth).
• In a simple, single living cell for example the earth element predominates by giving structure
to the cell. The water element is present in the cytoplasm or the liquid within the cell
membrane. The fire element regulates the metabolic processes regulating the cell. While the
air element predominates the gases therein. The space occupied by the cell denoting
the Akasa.
• In the case of a complex, multi-cellular organism as a human being for instance, akasa
corresponds to spaces within the body (mouth, nostrils, abdomen etc.); vayu denotes the
movement (essentially muscular also nervous system ); agni controls the functioning of
enzymes (intelligence, digestive system, metabolism); jala is in all body fluids (as plasma,
saliva, digestive juices); and prithvi manifests itself in the solid structure of the body (bones,
teeth, flesh, hair et al)
• The Panchamahabhutas therefore serve as the foundation of all diagnosis & treatment
modalities(तोर-तरीके ) in Ayurveda and has served as a most valuable theory for physicians
to detect and treat illness of the body and mind successfully.

(ii) Doshas
It is believed that all the processes occurring within the body are governed by the balance of the
three types of doshas.
a) Vata –
• It is composed of air and space.
• All the movements in the mind and body are controlled by it, thus should be maintained
in a good balance. Worries, insomnia, cramps, and constipation are the result of too
much vata.
• It also controls blood flow, waste elimination, breathing, and movement of thoughts
across the mind.
• It activates the nervous system, hearing, and speech, and expresses them in the form of
enthusiasm and creativity.
• Vata also controls pitta and kapha (other two principles), and is the first cause of
disease.
b) Pitta-
• It is composed of fire and water.
• All heat, metabolism, and transformation within the mind and body are controlled by
pitta.
• It controls food digestion, metabolism of sensory perceptions, and judgement between
right and wrong.
• It should also be maintained in a good balance.
• Anger, criticism, ulcers, rashes, and thinning hair result from too much pitta.

c) Kapha-
• It is composed of earth and water.
• It cements the elements in the body, providing the material for physical structure.
• It maintains resistance of the body.
• It causes joint lubrication, provides moisture to the skin, helps in wound healing, fills the
spaces in body, provides biological strength, vigour and stability, supports memory
retention, provides energy to heart and lungs, and maintains immunity.
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(iii) Dhatus (basic structure of bodies)

The Sapta(seven) Dhatus (tissues) elements form the pillars of the body that form the means of
nourishment and growth while providing support to the body as well as the mind.
a) Rasa (fluid)Dhatu –
Derived from the digested food, it nourishes each and every tissue and cell of the body and
is analogous to the plasma.
b) Rakta (blood) Dhatu –
Regarded as the basis of life, it is analogous to the circulating blood cells. It not only
nourishes the body tissues, but provides physical strength and colour to the body.
c) Mamsa Dhatu –
The muscle tissue, its main function is to provide physical strength and support for the meda
dhatu.
d) Meda (fat)Dhatu –
Consists of adipose tissue providing support to asthi dhatu. It also lubricates the body.
e) Asthi Dhatu –
Comprising of bone tissues, including cartilages, its main function is to give nourishment to
the majja dhatu and provide support to the mamsa dhatu.
f) Majja Dhatu–
Denoting the yellow and red bone marrow tissue, its main function is to fill up the asthi and
to oleate the body.
g) Shukra Dhatu –
The main aim of this reproductive tissue is to help reproduction and strengthen the body.

Examples-
• Since the dhatus support and derive energy from each other, affecting one can
influence others. For instance, interference in the manufacture of the plasma affects
the quality of the blood, which in turn effects the muscle. Each tissue type has its
own agni, which determines metabolic changes in the tissues and forms by-
products, which are either used in the body or excreted.
• Menstural periods for example are a by-product of rasa. The tissues are also
governed by the three dosas, and any imbalance in them also causes imbalances in
dhatus. Heavy periods therefore can also be caused by the effects of the excess of
Kapha on plasma.

(iv) Malas (by product of dhatus)

• Malas are the various waste products of food and the dhatus produced during the normal
digestive and metabolical process.
• The three primary malas being Purisa(faeces),Mutra (urine) and Sveda (sweat).
• Ayurveda clearly states that only a balanced condition of dosas, dhatus and malas is arogya
(good health or disease free condition) and their imbalance is the cause of ill health or
disease.

• Purisa is the waste left back after nutrients of digested food have been absorbed in the small
intestine. While water and salt are absorbed in the large intestine, the residue now
converted into solid faeces, leaves the body. The consistency of the faeces depends both on
gastrointestinal mobility and nature of diet.
• The tridosas must be in balance to ensure normal evacuation. Pitta and kapha help digestion
and vata governs the mobility throughout the process. Any discrepancy or imbalance
between these can lead to various symptoms of abdominal heaviness or pain, flatulence,
constipation or diarrhoea. It may also give rise to diseases as rheumatoid arthritis,
osteoarthritis, low-back pain, asthma, bronchitis as well as stomach ulcers and irritable
bowels.
• Mutra is derived during the course of biological processes within the human body. The first
stage of urine formation begins in the large intestine where fluids are absorbed into the
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system. The entire urinary system (kidneys, uterus, bladder and urethra) takes part in the
formation and elimination of urine, regulating the fluid balance in our body and also
maintaining blood pressure. Any imbalance of increased or decreased urine, may result in
disorders such as kidney stones urinary infections, cystitis, abdominal pain and bladder
disorders.
• Sveda is the third primary mala, and it occurs as a waste product during the synthesis of
meda dhatu (fatty tissue). Eliminated through skin pores, it controls body temperature and
helps to regulate the electrolytic balance. The channels responsible for bringing the sweat to
skin surface are known as sveda vaha srotas. It is essential that normal formation and flow
of sweat takes place as otherwise it may lead to skin infections, itching/burning sensation
over the body, loss of fluid balance and reduced body temperature.

(v) The Triguna

• The three gunas Satva, Rajas and Tamas- are the three essential components or energies of
the mind. Ayurveda provides a distinct description of people on the basis of their Manasa
(psychological) Prakriti (constitution). Genetically determined, these psychological
characteristics are dependent on the relative dominance of the three gunas.
• The psyche is of three types –Pure or Satva, Rajas and Tamasa
• While all individuals have mixed amounts of the three, the predominant guna determines an
individual's mansa prakriti. In equilibrium, the three gunas preserve the mind (and indirectly
the body), maintaining it in a healthy state. Any disturbance in this equilibrium results in
various types of mental disorders.
• Satva characterised by lightness, consciousness, pleasure and clarity, is pure, free from
disease and cannot be disturbed in any way. It activates the senses and is responsible for the
perception of knowledge.
• Rajas ,the most active of the gunas, has motion and stimulation as its characteristics. All
desires, wishes, ambitions and fickle-mindedness are a result of the same.
• Tamas is characterised by heaviness and resistance. It produces disturbances in the process
of perception and activities of the mind. Delusion, false knowledge, laziness, apathy, sleep
and drowsiness are due to it.
• Rajas and Tamas as with the dosas, can be unbalanced by stress and negative desires as
kama (lust), irshya (malice), moha (delusion and hallucination), lobha (greed), cinta
(anxiety), bhaya (fear) and krodha(anger).Each of these three properties is also comprised of
sub-types and the particular sub-type to which one belongs to determine the qualities of
that individual.
• Satvika individuals are usually noble and spiritual in character, their nature determined as
much by body type as their star constellation, having an element of kapha in their
constitution.

(vi) The TrayodosaAgni

• The biological fire that governs metabolism (agni) encompasses all the changes in the body and mind from
the dense to the more subtle. Such changes include the digestion and absorption of food, cellular
transformations, assimilation of sensory perceptions and mental and emotional experiences. Agni therefore
covers whole sequences of chemical interactions and changes in the body and mind. Digestive abilities being
related to the strength of agni
• Agni and pitta are closely connected. While both are hot and light, agni is subtle and dry. The heat energy to
help digestion contained by pitta is agni. Pitta is therefore the container and agni the content. Agni is acidic
in nature and stimulates digestion. It is subtly related to the movement of vata. In every tissue and cell agni
is present and is necessary for maintaining the nutrition and auto-immune mechanism. By destroying micro-
organisms, foreign bacteria and toxins in the stomach and the intestines.
• A balanced agni therefore is vital for health. The strength of the body to resist disease and also its physical
strength are directly related to its heat energy determining the metabolic processes of the body.
Disturbances of Agni are usually the chief causes of disease.
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• As per Ayurveda there are thirteen types of Agni in the body. The most important of them is the Jatharagni,
the gastric fire, responsible for digestion of food eaten by correlating hydrochloric acid in the stomach and
the digestive enzymes and juices secreted into the stomach, duodenum and the small intestines. If digestive
agni is low and the capacity is impaired, one may experience pain, discomfort, feeling of heaviness or gases
gurgling, constipation or loose stools.
• Agni are:
i) Jatharagni or Koshthagni or Pachakagni: for digestion of food.
It is located in gastro-intestinal tract and performs the proper digestion of food. Food consumed will
not provide good health unless it is digested properly. Even if the food is of high quality and pure, it
will be harmful to the body if it is not fully digested. The jatharagni represents all the enzymes and
chemicals produced in or poured in the gastrointestinal tract. Jatharagni is considered as the master
agni and it governs the function of all other agnis besides its own functions.
ii) Dhatvagni: seven types for specific tissue metabolism.
Seven dhatvagni are located in respective dhatus (tissues) namely:
1. Rasadhatu (nutrient fluid) – Rasagni.
2. Rakta dhatu (blood tissue) – Raktagni.
3. Mamsa dhatu (muscle tissue) – Mamsagni.
4. Medas dhatu (Adipose tissue) – Medo agni.
5. Asthi dhatu (Bony tissue) – Asthyagni.
6. Majja dhatu (Bone marrow and nervous tissue) – Majjagni.
7. Sukra dhatu (Reproductive tissues including sperm and ovum) – Sukragni.
Seven dhatu agnis are responsible for the formation of tissues (dhatus) and participate in the specific
tissue metabolism. The dhatvagni represent the entire range of anabolic processes functioning in the
respective tissues.
iii) Bhutagni:
Five bhutagni are fine and subtler agnis located in the five mahabhutas. These agnis are responsible
for the molecular metabolism and help in synthesis and break down of materials at molecular level.
These represent the catabolic processes in our body.

Jatharagni is the most basic of Agni. After its action on food, it turns into Ahara rasa, then Bhutagni
works on it as catabolic processes inside various tissues, and Dhatavagnis work on it as anabolic
processes inside seven tissues to build them up. Together these Agnis work as complete
metabolism going in our body.