domingo, abril 08, 2007
Ayurvedic Medecine
Ayurvedic medicine is also called Ayurveda. It is a system of medicine that originated in India several thousand years ago.
The term Ayurveda combines two Sanskrit words ayur, which means life, and veda, which means science or knowledge. Ayurveda means "the science of life."
Ayurveda is based on ideas from Hinduism, one of the world's oldest and largest religions. Some Ayurvedic ideas also evolved from ancient Persian thoughts about health and healing.
Many Ayurvedic practices were handed down by word of mouth and were used before there were written records.
Many Ayurvedic practices were handed down by word of mouth and were used before there were written records.
Two ancient books, written in Sanskrit on palm leaves more than 2,000 years ago, are thought to be the first texts on Ayurveda--Caraka Samhita and Susruta Samhita. They cover many topics, including:
Pathology (the causes of illness)
Diagnosis
Treatment
Surgery (this is no longer part of standard Ayurvedic practice)
How to care for children
Lifestyle
Advice for practitioners, including medical ethics
Philosophy
Ayurveda has long been the main system of health care in India, although conventional (Western) medicine is becoming more widespread there, especially in urban areas. About 70 percent of India's population lives in rural areas; about two-thirds of rural people still use Ayurveda and medicinal plants to meet their primary health care needs.
In addition, most major cities have an Ayurvedic college and hospital. Ayurveda and variations of it have also been practiced for centuries in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Tibet. The professional practice of Ayurveda in the United States began to grow and became more visible in the late 20th century.
