Origin and History

Ayurveda originated in India long back in pre-vedic period. Rigveda and Atharva-veda (5000 years BC) , the earliest documented ancient Indian knowledge have references on health and diseases. Ayurved texts like Charak Samhita and Sushruta samhitha were documented about 1000 years BC. The term Ayurveda means 'Science of Life' . It deals elaborately with measures for helpful living during the entire span of life and its various phases. Besides, dealing with principles for maintenance of health, it has also developed a wide range of therapeutic measures to compat illness. These principles of positive health and therapeutic measures relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual welfare of human beings. Thus Ayurveda becomes one of the oldest systems of health care dealing with both the preventive and curative aspects of life in a most comprehensive way and presents a close similarity to the WHO's concept of health propounted in the modern era.

A perusal of its several classical treatises indicate presence of two schools of Physicians and Surgeons and eight specialities. The eight disciples are generally called "Ashtanga Ayurveda" and are:-

1. Internal Medicine (Kaya Chikitsa) 2. Paediatrics (Kaumar Bhritya) 3. Psychiatry (Bhoot Vidya) 4. Otorhinolarygology and Ophthalmology (Shalakya) 5. Surgery (Shalya) 6. Toxicology (Agad Tantra) 7. Geriatrics (Rasayana) 8. Eugenics and Aphrodisiacs (Vajikarana)

Compendia on these subjects like Charak Samhita, Sushruta Samhita etc. were written by the ancient scholors during the B.C period. These were used for teaching of Ayurveda in the ancient universites of Takshashila and Nalanda.

The science of aphrodisiac is one of the most important disciplines in ayurveda. This division is called ‘Vajikarma Thantra’. This discipline describes about the sexual disorders in males and females and also the remedies for the same. ‘Vajikarma Thantra’ has become the modern ‘manthra’ for leading a sexually healthy life.

‘Vajeekarana Tantra’ has got a definition in ayurveda like this:

“Vajeekarana tantram nama alpa, dushta, ksheena, visushka retasam
Aapyayana, prasada, upachaya, janana nimitham, praharsha jananartham cha”

It means, factors which are responsible for increasing quantity, purification, accumulation, ejaculation and nourishment of the semen which has become less in quantity, vitiated, (abnormal), diminished and dried and those which increase the sexual vitality are called aphrodisiacs.


DEFINITION :

The classical works on Ayurveda describe it as under:

It is that knowledge of life which deals elaborately and at length with conditions beneficial or otherwise to the humanity,and, to factors conducive to the happiness, responsible for misery or sorrow besides indicating measures for healthful living for full span of life.

Ayurveda is also considered as 'Science of life'. This probably makes it the earliest medical science having a positive concept of health to be achieved through a blending of physical,mental,social moral and spiritual welfare.

According to the ancient books of knowledge,health is considered as a prerequisite for achieving the supreme ends of life consisting of righteousness,wealth,artistic values and spiritual freedom. Preventive and curative aspects of diseases are considered as important concept of positive health.

Ayurveda deals elaborately with measures of healthful living during the entire span of life and its various phases. Besides dealing with principles for maintenance of health, it has also developed a wide range of therapeutic measures to combat illness. These principles of positive health and therapeutic measures related to physical,mental,social and spiritual welfare of human beings. Thus Ayurveda became one of the oldest system of medicine dealing with both the preventive and curative aspects of life in a most comprehensive way