The Eight Branches of Ayurveda in English
-Ashtanga hrdayam
Ayurveda has 8 branches in it. They are-
1. Kaaya Chikitsa (Internal Medicine),
2. Baala Chikitsa (Treatment of Children / Pediatrics),
3. Graha Chikitsa (Demonology / Psychology),
4. Urdhvaanga Chikitsa (Treatment of disease above the clavicle),
5. Shalya Chikitsa (Surgery),
6. Damstra Chikitsa (Toxicology),
7. Jara Chikitsa (Geriatrics, Rejuvenation),
8. Vrsha Chikitsa (Aphrodisiac therapy).
Kayachikitsa:
The word 'Kaya'
represents 'Agni' - the digestive fire in the body. It is responsible
for the metabolism in the body. The imbalance to this 'Agni' is the
cause for many diseases. Kaya chikitsa deals with the treatment of
general ailments, such as fever, diarrhea and cough, by treating Agni.
Baala chikitsa:
This
deals in treating children. This is also called kumara Brtya. There are
three aspects that must be remembered while treating children-
• Children cannot explain their complaints
• The dosage of medicine is different for them
• The medicines given to them must be palatable to them.
Due to these conditions, treating children is done in a different manner. Hence a separate branch is devoted for them.
Graha chikitsa
This
branch of Ayurveda deals with diseases like insanity, epilepsy and
diseases caused by affliction of external factors such as evil sprits
and ghosts. In other words it may be known as the branch that deals with
the treatment of psychosomatic diseases.
Urdhvanga chikitsa
This
branch of Ayurveda deals with the treatment of diseases of the organs
above the clavicle. It includes the treatment of eyes, ears, nose,
throat, mouth, teeth and head.
Shalya chikitsa
It
deals with treatment of diseases caused by foreign bodies and diseases
that need surgical therapies. It is carried out only for diseases, which
cannot be cured by medicines.
Visha chikitsa
This
form of treatment deals with the treatment of poisoning from animals,
such as snakes, insects, spiders, scorpions and also of plants, metals
and minerals.
Rasayana chikitsa
It deals in
rejuvenation and restoring the youthfulness of an individual and deals
with various therapies and herbs that have to be taken to restore the
youth & vitality.
Vajikarana chikitsa
This
branch of Ayurveda deals with treatment that helps to get good progeny.
It provides various medicines and therapies to improve the virility and
the sexual prowess of a person to help him to get a good progeny.
The word 'Kaya'
represents 'Agni' - the digestive fire in the body. It is responsible
for the metabolism in the body. The imbalance to this 'Agni' is the
cause for many diseases. Kaya chikitsa deals with the treatment of
general ailments, such as fever, diarrhea and cough, by treating Agni.Baala chikitsa:
This
deals in treating children. This is also called kumara Brtya. There are
three aspects that must be remembered while treating children-• Children cannot explain their complaints
• The dosage of medicine is different for them
• The medicines given to them must be palatable to them.
Due to these conditions, treating children is done in a different manner. Hence a separate branch is devoted for them.
Graha chikitsa
Urdhvanga chikitsa
This
branch of Ayurveda deals with the treatment of diseases of the organs
above the clavicle. It includes the treatment of eyes, ears, nose,
throat, mouth, teeth and head.Shalya chikitsa
It
deals with treatment of diseases caused by foreign bodies and diseases
that need surgical therapies. It is carried out only for diseases, which
cannot be cured by medicines.Visha chikitsa
This
form of treatment deals with the treatment of poisoning from animals,
such as snakes, insects, spiders, scorpions and also of plants, metals
and minerals.Rasayana chikitsa
Vajikarana chikitsa
This
branch of Ayurveda deals with treatment that helps to get good progeny.
It provides various medicines and therapies to improve the virility and
the sexual prowess of a person to help him to get a good progeny.- Sandaruwan Ravihara -
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