What is Ayurveda? 

Ayurveda originated in India long back in pre-vedic period. Rigveda and Atharva-veda ( 5000 years B.C.), the earliest documented ancient Indian knowledge have references on health and diseases. Ayurved texts like Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita were documented about 1000 years B.C. The term Ayurveda means ‘Science of Life’. It deals elaborately with measures for 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 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 propounded in the modern era.

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

Internal Medicine(Kaya Chikitsa) 
Paediatrics(Kaumar Bhritya) 
Psychiatry( Bhoot Vidya) 
Otorhinolaryngology and Ophthalmology(Shalakya) 
Surgery( Shalya) 
Toxicology( Agad Tantra) 
Geriatrics(Rasayana) 
Eugenics and aphrodisiacs(Vajikarana) 
Compendia on these subjects like Charak Samihta, Sushruta Samhita etc. were written by the ancient scholars during B.C. period. These were used for teaching of Ayurveda in the ancient universities of Takshashila and Nalanda. (From Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy: Gateway for information on Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy brought to you by Dept. of ISMH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India.)

From an American legislative standpoint, herbal medicine is governed by Dietary Supplements Health Education Act [DSHEA] not FDA [Federal Drug Administration]. The act establishes a separate class from food and drugs for nutrients and herbal products named "Dietary Supplements." The FDA does not request specific approval for claims made by supplement manufacturers but instead requires them to submit their claims and place disclaimers on packages and advertising stating, "This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease."

Significant links to information on Ayurveda

About Ayurveda - Website with detailed information on Ayurveda, History of Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Herbs, Ayurvedic Health, Ayurvedic Plants, Ayurvedic Medicine, Doshas, Dhatus, Malas, Prakritis, Gunas and more...

Ayurveda: A Gateway for information on Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy brought to you by Dept. of ISMH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt of India.

Maharishi Ayurveda

Chopra Centre - The source for yoga meditation and Ayurveda. "Through The Chopra Center, Dr. Chopra is revolutionizing common wisdom about the crucial connection between body, mind, spirit, and healing".

Central Council for Research in Ayurveda & Siddha (CCRAS)

Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH)

Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM)

Central Council of Indian Medicine

National Institute of Naturopathy

National Medicinal Plants Board

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ - About Ayurveda

Every Day Ayurveda

Books on Ayurveda 

Ayurvedic products and services 

• Kerala Ayurveda Academy : Dedicated to teaching Authentic Ayurvedic programs in the United States. We offer Certified and Masters’ programs which are available through our in classroom centers or through distance learning. Our mission is to share this ancient wisdom with the world while upholding the highest caliber of academic excellence.
• Amsar Private Limited: Manufacturer of herbal concentrates and natural plant products
• Aswini Homoeo and Ayurvedic Products Limited: Manufacturer of homoeo and ayurvedic products in India
• Ayurveda for You: Comprehensive website on Ayurveda. Ayurveda and Yoga ebooks publisher. Learn Ayurveda through ebooks, free email courses,free newsletter.
• Arya Vaidya Sala, Kottakkal: A charitable institution offering authentic Ayurvedic medicines and treatments to patients from all over India and abroad.
• The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (Cbe) Ltd Involve in education, research, treatment, bio diversity conservation and production and marketing of ayurvedic medicines
• Baidyanath: Manufacturer of ayurvedic, herbal and traditional medicines, products and food supplements
• Banphool Oil: Manufacturer of ayurvedic oil for all purpose
• Charak: Engaged in herbal, ayurvedic medicines, herbs, extracts etc
• Chavarcode: Ayurveda medicine manufacturing and exporting company
• Dabur India Limited: Consumer goods company of India with interests in healthcare, personal care and foods
• Deseeya Ayurvedic Pharmacy: Herbal medicines, pharmaceuticals, ayurvedic therapy, hospitals and clinics and ayurvedic remedies
• Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) -Government of India's official site on Indian systems of medicine
• The State of Ayurveda: Examining the Evidence
• The flip side of Ayurveda
• History of Traditional Indian Medicine
  

• Dew Herbal Cosmetics: Producing and marketing natural herbal products
• Diafree; Ayurvedic medicine for diabetes
• Indradhanush: Manufacturer of ayurvedic drugs, medicines and herbs
• Jairamdass Khushiram Exporter of herbal, extracts, spices, pulses, crude drugs, etc from India
• Medimix Manufacturer of ayurvedic bath soap, health care products, skin care and natural products
• Dr.Mukesh Paneri  Claims include "Curing Asthma, Parkinsons, Skin ailments, Chronic Stomach ailments, Rheumatism, Chronic Cold & Cough and Multiple Sclerosis." Travelled abroad for treating patients.
• Organic India offers 18 Organic Tulsi Teas and a line of Ayurvedic supplements, including Triphala, Turmeric, ashwagandha, neem and Gotu Kola. All supplements are made with certified organic herbs to support your pure, natural health.
  
• Nature Lab: Provides herbal dietary supplements encapsulated for protection and stability
• Natural Herbal Health Information & Products: Find Natural Remedies for Women's Problems
• Pentavox Herbals India Ltd: Manufacturer and exporter of health care products, ayurvedic products, medicines, cosmetics etc
• Prakruti Herbals Manufacturer of herbal hair oil, hair cleanser, ayurvedic soap etc
• Research Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (Guj) Pvt Ltd Formulate medicine using herbal and ayurveda concepts for bronchial asthma, cancer, gastritis tympaitis, obesity and many more
• The Himalaya Drug Company Manufacturer of herbal healthcare medicines in India
• Veda Vyasa Foods Pvt Ltd Maker of ayurvedic medicines for treatment of diabetes, impotency, rheumatic diseases, articular rheumatism, arthritis and many more
• Viva Herba Manufacturer and exporter of natural antioxidant, herbal extract, natural herbal extract, standardized herbal extracts from India
• Value India- Herbal Health and Beauty Products

Services and Retreats:

Ayurveda & Yoga Retreat: Authentic Ayurveda Yoga & Meditation 

Ayur Planet They provide consultation, medication to chronic patients, education, Panchakarma, Marma Ayurveda massages, herbs and herbal product exports. They also provide consultation to Pharma companies for developing new Ayurveda formulations as rejuvenationg, for a specific disease or for natural cosmetics. 

Ayurveda in the News

Ayurveda gaining acceptance abroad, thanks to some push form the Indian Government:

"The countries which have shown interest in ayurveda curriculum and research included Russia, US, Japan, Australia, Netherlands, South Africa, Argentina, UK, France, Italy etc, Ms Malti S. Sinha, Secretary, Department of Indian Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy said. 

According to Ms Sinha, medical schools in the US wanted to introduce an ayurvedic module and various teaching institutions in India such as Banaras Hindu University and Gujarat Ayurved University had entered into MoU's for collaboration in the field of education and research with institutions in Japan, Australia, Italy and Argentina.....

According to Ms Sinha, medical schools in the US wanted to introduce an ayurvedic module and various teaching institutions in India such as Banaras Hindu University and Gujarat Ayurved University had entered into MoU's for collaboration in the field of education and research with institutions in Japan, Australia, Italy and Argentina. "  -- The Hindu:Businessline

The principles of Ayurveda state that nothing exists in isolation, so that everything you interact with, your diet, family, work or relationships, has an effect on your health and well being. One guiding principle of Ayurveda is that mind and body are connected and that the mind has a profound influence over our health and well-being. While conventional Western medicine is still grounded in the paradigm of mind-body separation, Ayurveda holds that health is more than the absence of disease; it is a dynamic state of balance and integration of body, mind, and spirit. Source : Chopra Centre

Ayurveda can help prevent AIDS

PTI[ SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2002 07:07:10 PM ] NEW DELHI: Ayurveda can help in preventing AIDS by strengthening the body's defence system through herbs and a supplementary code of conduct, doctors at a recent meeting of international policymakers on HIV here, said. 
"Apart from 'Achaar Rasayan' (code of conduct), the ancient system of Indian medicine provides for a whole range of herbs for the prevention of AIDS through strengthening the immune system," Naveen Gupta, president of Ashtvaidyan Ayurveda, an NGO of Ayurvedics, told the International Policy Makers Conference on HIV/AIDS 'Towards a world without AIDS', which concluded here recently. Source: Times of India

Detoxify and rejuvenate

No matter how many people wish us a happy new year, our body sadly is not becoming new. 

The same old aches are still there, more pounds have accumulated and there is an ever present fatigue. Now what can we do to renew the body? 

Here we take a look at the ancient Indian Ayurvedic treatment known as Pancha Karma, which has been used for thousands of years to stay healthy and young. It benefits everything from chronic fatigue to osteoarthritis, and is a complete form of detoxification. 

According to the renowned Dr Deepak Chopra, “Pancha Karma offers systematic treatment for dislodging and flushing toxins from every cell using sweat glands, blood vessels, the urinary tract and the intestines.”  By Manoj Kaimal, Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhdl 

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Note: Page last updated: July 2017