Different Dimensions Of Diseases and Chikitsa

(Samshodhana, Samshamana, Rasayana & Vajeekarana)

Department of Kayachikitsa
Faculty Of Ayurveda
Institute of Medical Sciences
Banaras Hindu University,
Varanasi, UP 221005
 What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda - Ayu + Veda (Life + Knowledge)

It is an art and science of healing.

It literally means “To know about life”
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 How it is defined?

• It is defined as “one which look after the welfare of all human beings in
particular”

and in general

“with regard to their physical mental socio cultural and spiritual well

being” 6/3/2025 3
 What are its Aims?

• Promotion of Health and prevention of diseases (By adopting

preventive life style from childhood, which include daily
regimen, seasonal regimen, food habits, body purificatory
procedures)
• Curing of ailments (By taking medicines, diet and other activities
influencing restoration of health)
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 What is life

• Shareera (Body)
• Indriya (Sensory organs)
• Sattva (Mind)
• Atma (Soul)

- Samyoga (combination) is ‘jeevitam’ (life)

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 What is the benefit through Ayurveda
Deerghaayu (Longevity of life)

Why longevity is needed ?

- Chaturvidha purushartha sadhaka
Dharma - Practicing of Sacred rituals
Artha - Earning of livelihood
Kaama - Continuing progeny
Moksha - Ultimate salvation

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 Important factors in the body

• Doshas (Humors) -3
Vata, Pitta, Kapha

• Dhatus (Tissues?) -7
Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Meda, Asthi, Majja, Sukra

• Malas (Morbid materials) -3

Purisha, Mutra, Sweda
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● Ayurvedic theory of health is based on Tridosha
(primary life forces or biological humors),
saptadhatu ( Seven basic tissues) trimalas (Three
basic biological wastes) and Panchamahabhuta
(five basic elements)

● dynamic balance of tridoshas, saptha dhatus and

trimalas creates health

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• Ayurveda has a holistic approach to health by
integrating the mind, body and soul

● Combination of these factors inherited at birth

determine an individual's Prakriti (constitution)

Swastha..
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Relation between Shareera and Manasika dosha (Humors)
and Mahabhootha (Basic elements)

Vata Rajo guna Akasha, Vayu

Pitta Sattva guna Agni
Kapha Tamo guna Apa, Prithvi

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 Relation between Doshas and Rasa

• Madhura, Amla, Lavana Pacifies vata

• Tikta, Katu, Kashaya Pacifies Kapha
• Kashaya, Tikta, Madhura Pacifies Pitta

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 Cause for Diseases
• Kala artha karmanam …
…Hina mithya ati matraka
Kala - Time (seasons)
Artha - Sensory organs / Objects of senses
Karma - Deeds / Shodhana karma
Heena (Deficient use)
Mithya (Improper use) leads to diseases
Ati (Excessive use)
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Roga prakara (Types of diseases)

Shareera (Bodily) and Manasika (Psychic)

Nija (due to bodily factors)
Agantuja (External factors)

Causes: Abhighata (injuries)

Abhisanga (Infections)
Abhichara (Improper deeds)
Abhishapa (Curse given by holy people) 6/3/2025 13
Roga pariksha (Examination of disease)

Pancha lakshana nidanam

Nidana - Etiology
Purva roopa - Premonitory symptoms
Roopa - Signs & symptoms
Upashaya - Aggravating
Samprapti - Pathogenesis

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 Rogi pariksha (Examination of patient)

• Darshana (Inspection)
• Sparshana (Palpation)
• Prashnana (Interrogation)

• Ashta sthana (Eight fold examination)

• Dashavidha (Ten fold examination)

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 What is the principle of treatment?
• The diseases occur due to dis-equilibrium of three
bodily humors and two psychic attributes
• This disease condition has to be brought back by
making equilibrium factors of above factors (vata,
pitta, kapha, rajas, tamas)
• It can be achieved by removing the vitiated humors by
way of purificatory (shodhana) measures,
palliative (Shamana) measures,
strengthening of Immune system (Ojus)
Avoiding the causative factors (Nidana)
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 Aushadhi (Medicines)
• Shamana Aushadhi (Pacifying)

• Shodhana Aushadhi (Eliminatory)

• Swastha hitakaraka Aushadhi (Health promotive)

Rasayana - Rejuvenation therapy
Vajikarana - Aphrodisiac therapy

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• The approach of Ayurveda to the treatment of a disease consists
of two major ways Shodhana and Shamana.

• Shodhana therapy is an essential therapy and is supposed to

eliminate the vitiated doshas, causing disharmony in the body (Ch.
Su. 16 : 20)

• While in Shamana chikitsa there is balancing of vitiated doshas

with in the body by the use of drugs.

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 Treatment approaches

Nidan parivarjan
(Do’s and Don’ts) (Pathya-Apathya)

Shodhan chikitsa
(Detoxification therapies popularly known as Panchakarma)

Shaman chikitsa
(Drug diet management) 6/3/2025 19
Shodhana - (Eliminatory treatments)
1. Vaman
(Therapeutic
Vomiting)

2. Virechan
5. Raktamokshan
(Purgation- Expulsion
(Removal of impure blood)
of vitiated dosha)

Panchakarma
4. Nasya 3. Basti
(Nasal drops (Therapeutic 6/3/2025

administration) Enema)
Five External Panchakarma procedures

(Abhyanga)
Massage

(Lepa) (Svedana)
Paste Sweating

(Bahya Basti) (Dhara karma)

Oil pooling Streaming
 Types of medicine formulations
• Swarasa Juicy extractions
• Kalka Medicinal pastes
• Kwatham Decoctions
• Hima Cold infusions
• Phanta Hot infusions

• Powder, Tablets, collyrium, etc..

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 Unique contribution of Ayurveda

• Dina charya (Daily regimen)

• Ritu charya (Seasonal regimen)
• Dharaneeya adharaneeya vega (Suppressible / Non suppressible urges)
• Sadvritta (Ethical hygiene)
• Achara rasayana (Mental hygiene)
• Viruddha (Incompatibles)
And many more
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 Types of treatment

• Daivavyapashraya (divine therapy)

• Yuktivyapashraya (Rational therapy)

• Sattvavajaya (Psychotherapy)

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 Daivavyapashraya (Divine)

Mantra - Chanting of Hymns

Aushadha - Sacred Herbs
Mani - Precious Stones
Mangala karma - Auspicious offerings
Homa - Holy rituals
Niyama - Regulations
Prayaschita - Atonement
Upavasa - Fasting etc

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 Yukti vyapasraya (Prescriptions)
Single Herbs (Medhya Drugs) Brahmi,
Mandukaparni, Ashwagandha, Jatamamsi,
Shankapushpi etc.

Ghritas (Medicated Ghee)

Panchgavya ghrita, Brahmi ghrita, kalyanaka ghrita
etc.

Herbomineral Preparations
Brahmi vati, Smriti Sagar Rasa, Manasamitra 6/3/2025 26

vatakam etc.
 Sattvavajaya Chikitsa (Psycho therapy)

• Gyan - Knowledge
• Vigyan - Educating the Patient
• Dhairya - Moral support
• Smriti - Reviving the past memory
• Samadhi - Abstaining from Over Indulgence

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 Types of Rasayana (Rejuvenation)

• Naimittika - Disease specific

• Kamya - Specific objective

• Ajasrika - Daily usage

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 Achara Rasayana

● Physical, Mental code of conduct

● Maintaining personal and social harmony

● Proper Sleep, Wholesome Diet

● Control over Senses (Cha.Chi 1/30)

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 Common Rasayana Herbs

• Amalaki: Antioxidant, boosts immunity, supports digestion.

• Ashwagandha: Reduces stress, boosts energy levels, enhances stamina.
• Brahmi: Improves memory, focus, and mental clarity.
• Shatavari: Balances hormones, rejuvenates the female reproductive
system.

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 VAJIKARANA

•Definition: Vajikarana refers to the science of enhancing sexual health, vitality, and

reproductive power.

•Goal: To improve Virya (vital energy) and Ojas (immunity) for a healthier reproductive

system.

•Significance: Vajikarana is considered important for overall vitality and strength in

Ayurvedic medicine. 6/3/2025 32

Principles of Vajikarana
1.Nourishment of Shukra Dhatu: Enhances reproductive tissues and fluids.
2.Stimulation of Vital Energy (Ojas): Strengthens overall vitality and
immunity.
3.Balancing Doshas: Ensures harmonious functioning of the body’s
energies.
4.Sexual Health: Improves libido and reproductive capabilities.

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Common Vajikarana Herbs
• Shatavari: Supports female fertility and hormonal balance.
• Ashwagandha: Enhances strength, reduces stress, and boosts sexual
energy.
• Kapikacchu: Known to enhance vitality and improve reproductive health.
• Gokshura: Improves sperm count and overall reproductive health.

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Thank you ..
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