Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya: A Scientific Synopsis of the Classic Ayurveda Text

Description

Worldwide interest in Ayurveda is on the rise, ever since the World Health Organization adopted the Alma Ata Declaration in 1978. Ayurveda is increasingly being adopted and many phytotherapy schools in Europe and the Americas teach Ayurveda as a wellness system. Considering the prominent position that Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya occupies in Ayurveda, a scientific synopsis of this masterpiece is now presented before the world of Ayurveda. In eight comprehensive chapters, Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya: A Scientific Synopsis of the Classic Ayurveda Text presents a lucid summary of the teachings of Vāgbhaṭa. Ayurvedic view of the human body, basic principles of Ayurveda, surgical armamentarium, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, herbs and other medicinal substances used in the preparation of various dosage forms, ayurvedic pharmaceutialcs, ayurvedic approach to food fortification, salient features of Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya anda roadmap for the future are among the topics discussed. Key Features: Presents the ayurvedic view of conception and the human body. Discusses aspects of ayurvedic pharmaceuticals. Examines diagnosis of diseases, lines of treatment, prognosis of diseases, signs of imminent death, management of mishaps and treatment of new diseases. The voluminous information pertaining to the subjects of the various chapters is presented in the form of many tables for ready reference and quick survey. This book provides a helping hand to those interested in rediscovering the teachings of Vāgbhaṭa and is a great resource for researchers of medicine, traditional and alternative medicine, pharmacology and drug discovery. Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Preface Authors Abbreviations Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 Origin of Ayurveda 1.2 Emergence of Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya 1.3 Authorship 1.4 Date of Author 1.5 About Vāgbhaṭa 1.6 Religious Belief of Vāgbhaṭa 1.7 Vāgbhaṭa in Kerala Culture 1.8 Organization of Text 1.9 The Novelty of Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya 1.10 Salient Elements of Poetry 1.10.1 Prosody in Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya 1.10.2 Maxims 1.11 Vāgbhaṭa’s Innovative Approach 1.11.1 Introduction of Novel Theories 1.11.2 Omission of Tenets 1.11.3 Newer Explanations 1.11.4 Introduction of New Concept 1.12 Commentaries on Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya 1.13 Conclusion References Chapter 2 The Human Body 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Sex Transformation 2.3 Pregnancy Care 2.3.1 Management of Mishaps 2.4 The Human Body 2.4.1 Anatomical Details 2.4.1.1 Vessels 2.4.1.2 Orifices 2.4.1.3 Vital Points 2.5 Digestion of Food 2.5.1 Stamina 2.5.2 Quanta of Body Elements 2.6 The Physical Environment 2.7 Constitutional Types 2.8 Conclusion Reference Chapter 3 Fundamental Principles of Longevity 3.1 Introduction 3.2 The Tridōṣa 3.2.1 Vāta 3.2.2 Pitta 3.2.3 Kapha 3.3 Dhātu 3.3.1 Mala 3.3.2 Dhātu Cycle 3.4 Matter 3.4.1 The Six Basic Tastes 3.5 Prevention of Diseases 3.6 Objective of Ayurveda 3.7 Daily Regimen 3.7.1 Dos and Don’ts 3.7.2 Food 3.7.3 Sleep 3.7.4 Sexual Intercourse 3.8 Seasonal Regimen 3.8.1 Pre-winter and Winter Regimen 3.8.2 Spring Regimen 3.8.3 Summer Regimen 3.8.4 Monsoon Regimen 3.8.5 Autumn Regimen 3.9 Origin of Diseases 3.10 The Four Pillars 3.11 Diagnosis 3.12 Treatment of Diseases 3.12.1 Pacification of Dōṣas 3.12.2 Administration of Curative Medicines 3.13 The Two Therapeutic Measures 3.13.1 Elimination Measures 3.13.1.1 The Five Actions 3.13.1.2 Preparatory Measures 3.13.1.3 Oleation 3.13.1.4 Sudation 3.13.1.5 Emesis 3.13.1.6 Purgation 3.13.1.7 Medicated Enema 3.13.1.8 Urethral and Vaginal Enema 3.13.1.9 Nasal Instillation 3.13.2 Ancillary Procedures 3.13.2.1 Inhalation of Medicinal Smoke 3.13.2.2 Gargles 3.13.2.3 Facial Creams 3.13.2.4 Application of Oil on Head 3.13.3 Special Ophthalmic Procedures 3.13.3.1 Eye Drops 3.13.3.2 Collyrium 3.13.3.3 Refreshing the Eyes 3.13.3.4 Heating in Closed Container 3.14 Conclusion References Chapter 4 Surgical Armamentarium 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Surgical Instruments 4.2.1 Blunt Instruments 4.2.1.1 Cruciform Instruments 4.2.1.2 Pincher-Like Forceps 4.2.1.3 Picklock-Like Instruments 4.2.1.4 Tubular Instruments 4.2.1.5 Rods 4.2.1.6 Hooks 4.2.1.7 Minor Instruments 4.2.2 Sharp Instruments 4.3 Bloodletting 4.3.1 Leeching 4.3.2 Multiple Puncturing 4.3.3 Venesection 4.3.4 Management of Mishaps 4.4 Extraction of Sharp Foreign Bodies 4.5 Surgery 4.5.1 Stages of Edema 4.5.2 Procedure of Surgery 4.5.3 Suturing of Wounds 4.5.4 Dressing of Wounds 4.5.5 Bandaging 4.5.6 Dietary Regimen 4.5.7 Medicated Wick 4.6 Chemical Cautery 4.6.1 Preparation of Alkali 4.6.2 Application of Alkali 4.6.3 Management of Mishaps 4.7 Thermal Cautery 4.8 Conclusion References Chapter 5 Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Basic Concepts 5.3 Diagnosis of Diseases 5.4 Lines of Treatment 5.4.1 Fever 5.4.2 Hemorrhages of Obscure Origin 5.4.3 Cough 5.4.4 Respiratory Disorders and Hiccup 5.4.5 Kingly Consumption 5.4.6 Vomiting 5.4.7 Heart Disease 5.4.8 Excessive Thirst 5.4.9 Alcoholism 5.4.10 Stupor 5.4.11 Hemorrhoids 5.4.12 Dysentery 5.4.13 Grahaṇi 5.4.14 Dysuria 5.4.15 Urinary Stone 5.4.16 Polyureic Diseases 5.4.17 Abscess 5.4.18 Inguinoscrotal Swelling 5.4.19 Phantom Tumor 5.4.20 Enlargement of Abdomen 5.4.21 Morbid Pallor 5.4.22 Edema 5.4.23 Cellulitis 5.4.24 Leprosy and Other Skin Diseases 5.4.25 Vitiligo 5.4.26 Worm Infestation 5.4.27 Vāta Diseases 5.4.28 Vāta-Induced Blood Disorders 5.4.29 Diseases of Infants 5.4.30 Spiritual Afflictions of Children 5.4.31 Spiritual Afflictions of Adults 5.4.32 Insanity 5.4.33 Epilepsy 5.4.34 Diseases of Eyelids 5.4.35 Diseases of Sclera and Cornea 5.4.36 Cataract 5.4.37 Near Blindness 5.4.38 Global Diseases of the Eye 5.4.39 Diseases of Ear 5.4.40 Diseases of Nose 5.4.41 Diseases of Mouth 5.4.42 Diseases of Head 5.4.43 Wounds and Ulcers 5.4.44 Traumatic Wounds 5.4.45 Fractures 5.4.46 Anal Fistula 5.4.47 Glandular Swelling, Tumor 5.4.48 Minor Diseases 5.4.49 Diseases of the Genitals 5.4.50 Poisoning 5.4.51 Latent Poisons 5.4.52 Formulated Poisons 5.4.53 Snake Bite 5.4.54 Stings of Poisonous Pests 5.4.55 Bites of Rats and Rabid Dogs 5.4.56 Rejuvenation Therapy 5.4.57 Virilification 5.5 Consumption of Incompatible Food 5.6 Prognosis of Diseases 5.7 Treatment Protocol 5.8 Administration of Medicines 5.9 Signs of Imminent Death 5.10 Management of Mishaps 5.11 Treatment of New Diseases 5.12 Conclusion References Chapter 6 Medicinal Substances 6.1 Introduction 6.2 The Gaṇas of Vāgbhaṭa 6.3 Herbs and Nutrition 6.3.1 Varieties of Red Rice 6.3.2 Varieties of Rice 6.3.3 Grassy Grains 6.3.4 Legumes 6.3.5 Pot-Herbs 6.3.6 Fruits 6.4 Animals and Birds 6.5 Animal Products 6.6 Liquid and Semi-solid Ingredients 6.7 Salts and Alkalis 6.8 Inorganic Substances 6.9 Weights and Measures 6.10 Potentiation of Medicines 6.10.1 Bhāvana 6.10.2 Repetition of Process 6.11 Conclusion References Chapter 7 Medicinal Foods in Aṣṭāṅgahṛdaya 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Ancient Culinary Tradition 7.3 Fortified Foods 7.3.1 Gruels 7.3.1.1 Medicated Gruels 7.3.1.2 Churned Gruels 7.3.2 Medicated Milk 7.3.3 Medicated Curd 7.3.4 Fortified Buttermilk 7.3.5 Fortified Butter 7.3.6 Fortified Sweets 7.3.7 Fortified Cakes 7.3.8 Functional Chutneys 7.3.9 Medicinal Curries 7.3.10 Medicated Broth 7.3.11 Medicated Wine 7.3.12 Fortified Beverages 7.4 Conclusion References Chapter 8 Roadmap for the Future 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Healthy Food Habits 8.3 Novel Concepts in AH 8.3.1 Mind and Causation of Diseases 8.3.2 Chronobiology of Tridōṣa 8.3.3 Diseases Caused by Subtle Beings 8.3.4 Benefits of Fasting 8.3.5 Colon-Targeted Drug Delivery 8.3.6 Versatile Therapeutic Measures 8.3.7 Medicinal Products from Cow 8.3.8 Therapeutic Heating of Body 8.3.9 Fecal Microbiota Transplantation 8.3.10 Cream as Ayurvedic Dosage Form 8.3.11 Fortification of Food and Beverages 8.4 AH as a Cultural Window 8.4.1 Male-Dominant Society 8.4.2 Sexual Liberalism 8.4.3 Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages 8.4.4 Consumption of Cow Meat 8.4.5 Formulae of Poisons 8.5 Outlook for Future 8.5.1 Redaction of AH in the Light of Modern Knowledge 8.5.2 Objective Way of Teaching AH 8.5.3 Thrust Areas 8.5.4 Diagnosis in Future 8.5.4.1 Examination and Assessment of Diseases 8.5.4.2 Examination of the Patient 8.5.4.3 Aśmari 8.5.4.4 Arśas 8.5.4.5 Raktapitta 8.6 Conclusion References Glossary of Sanskrit Terms Index