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INTRODUCTION
TO AYURVEDA:
The origin
of Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine can be traced back over 6000 years.
Ayurveda means the science or knowledge of life.
Ayurveda, the science of
life, for its medicines depends largely on plant kingdom and minerals and also some animal
derivatives especially milk and milk products, honey, urine etc., Medicinal plants are
used individually as well as in combination and also with minerals the latter being called
herbo mineral compounds.
The first chapter in
CHARAKA SAMHITHA starts with the exposition on long life (DEERGANJIVITIYA). It is quoted
that the sage Bharadwaja who went to heaven to learn this knowledge achieved success in
enjoying healthy and long life and taught this knowledge (Ayurveda) to others on the earth
to overcome the problems of concerning the four pursuits of human values (purusharthas).
NEED OF RASAYANA:
Among the four stages of
life, youth is the most important stage of one’s life. As the age advances the
strength to fight all odds including diseases comes down drastically. One of the reason
for such a state is improper way of nutrition. Besides, a person who is after worldly
pleasures falls prey to them and loses an important element namely "shukra"
(vital fluid). The loss of this is said to lead to low immunity resulting in a state of
fragile health prone to get afflicted with diseases. In order to overcome this situation
the rejuvenation concept that is the "Rasayana Chikitsa" has been stressed in
Ayurveda. By the use of Rasayana one will be free from premature senility, debility, and
disease, and is enabled to lead a long and healthy life. It has been mentioned that saga
Chyawana has successfully overcome the effects of premature senility with the use of
Rasayana. Rasayana therapy promotes strength, modulates immunity against diseases, there
by achieving the goal of prolongation of life in general. Another important health
promoter is vajikarana, which improves the body strength and also nutritional status in
general and also sex vigor.
PRINCIPLES OF AYURVEDA:
According to
Ayurveda, nothing in this universe is devoid of pancha maha bhootas (Five Elements) they
are:
- Prithi\vi (earth)
- Jala (Water)
- Teja (Fire)
- Vayu (Air)
- Aakasha (ether)
According to
Ayurveda the five maha bhootas are explained in terms of tridosha, sapta dhatu , trimala,
the fundamental affluent. In a perfect and healthy state of the body doshas, dhatoos,
malas, are being kept in a dynamic state of equilibrium to maintain the positive health.
Any disturbance in their relative performance in the body will lead to disease.
AIDS IN AYURVEDA:
According
to Ayurveda the AIDS disease may be correlated with KSHAYA. The Symptoms and
causative factors and treatment for the latter are found mentioned in many ancient
Ayurvedic tests like, Vaidyachintamani Charaka Samhitha, Bhavaprakasha and Chakradatta
etc.,
The disease is caused
because the dominant kapha dosha along with the other doshas tends to block the path for
the flow of rasadi dhatus in their respective locations thus resulting in the
deterioration of saptha dhatu Rasas (Chile including lymph), Rakta (Hemoglobin factor in
the blood ). Mamsa (Muscle tissue), Medas (fat tissue), Majji (Bone marrow), shukra (Sperm
in male and ova in female), thus resulting into the disease. Symptoms mostly noticed in
this disease are prolonged fever, diarrhea, cough, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, weight
loss, emaciation etc.,
HIV
The virus that causes
‘ Aids HIV belongs to a family of viruses known as retroviruses. HIV looks like a
rolled up porcupine. It contain two snakes like single strands of RNA along with reverse
transcripts firmly wrapped up in a core, which resembles a core with a dimple at its base.
This core is protected by a spherical shell of protein which, inturn is encapsulated by an
envelope which has a knob like protein sticking out of its surface, giving HIV its
characteristic appearance.
On entering
the white blood cells known as CD 4 cells, HIV sheds its coats to expose its true colors
deadly genetic machinery which masterminds the production of its own DNA and sees to it
that this gets inserted into the DNA of the host cell. The viral DNA has enough power and
information to direct the destiny of the cell. It can force the cell to manufacture raw
material, which if it so desires, can give rise to several new copies of HIV. However due
to certain trigger and regulatory mechanisms, the viral DNA lies dormant in the host cell
for several years before it begins to do the damage. By virtue of its slow action, HIV is
classified under a subgroup of retroviruses called lento viruses (lentos – slow). AIDS
People infected with HIV
may take 7 – 10 years to develop AIDS. AIDS is an acronym for the Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome. AIDS is not a single disease but it is a syndrome- a set of diseases,
which results from the destruction of the body’s defenses by human immune deficiency
virus, HIV.
TREATMENT OF AIDS UNDER
THE AYURVEDIC SYSTEM:
Experience has shown that
certain herbo-mineral compounds prepared as per the formulae prescribed by sages of yore
like Agasthya, Charaka, Sarangadhara and others for the treatment of Kshaya have brought
about significant results in improving the conditions Aids patients. The Rasayana and
Vajikara effects of the said medicines have done much good to the patients. Case studies
of a few cases are given below. |
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