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Ayurveda (Sanskrit: आयुर्वेद; Āyurveda, the "science of life") or Ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to the Indian subcontinent and practiced in other parts of the world as a form of alternative medicine.In Sanskrit, the word ayurveda consists of the words āyus, meaning "longevity", and veda, meaning "related to knowledge" or "science".Evolving throughout its history, ayurveda remains an influential system of medicine in South Asia.The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India. The Suśruta Saṃhitā and the Charaka Saṃhitā were influential works on traditional medicine during this era.Over the following centuries, Ayurvedic practitioners developed a number of medicinal preparations and surgical procedures for the treatment of various ailments and diseases.
In Western medicine, Ayurveda is classified as a system of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that is used to complement, rather than replace, the treatment regimen and relationship that exists between a patient and their existing physician.
Eight disciplines of ayurveda treatment, called ashtangas (Devanāgarī: अष्टांग), are given below:
- Internal medicine (Kaaya-chikitsa)
- Paediatrics (Kaumarabhrtyam)
- Surgery (Shalya-chikitsa)
- Eye and ENT (Shalakya tantra)
- Demonic possession (Bhuta vidya): Bhuta vidya has been called psychiatry.
- Toxicology (Agadatantram)
- Prevention diseases and improving immunity and rejuvenation (rasayana)
- Aphrodisiacs and improving health of progeny (Vajikaranam)
In Hindu mythology, the origin of Ayurveda medicine is attributed to the physician of the gods, Dhanvantari.
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