Ayurvedic Medicine – Pt.1 – Introduction

The word Ayurveda comes from Sanskrit and means “knowledge or science of life”. Is grounded in the vedic texts and its traditions. Ayurveda has undoubtedly an immense practical value for all.

The Ayurvedic medicine developed in India between the years 3000 and 1500 BC, around its rivers and valleys. The great Hindu civilization that flourished was among the five outstanding contemporary civilizations: Egypt, Sumeria, Peru and China.

Ayurvedic medical knowledge was transmitted orally from generation to generation, through verses known as Vedas. This practice continued until man learned to write. For this reason and even today, we can only estimate the time of origin.

The first medical text “Charaka Samhita”, was written by the great guru of Ayurvedic Charaka medicine in Punjab, India, around 700 BC. The “Charaka Samhita” contains extensive information on the practice of general medicine and the use of herbs for treatments.

Ayurvedic medicine emphasizes that humans are an integral part of the universe and thus have a responsibility towards it. Because of this, Ayurveda proclaims that “man is the microcosm and nature the macrocosm”.