Types of Medicines / Treatments
śodhanaṃ śamanaṃ ceti samāsāt auṣadhaṃ dvidhā || śarīrajānāṃ doṣāṇāṃ krameṇa
paramauṣadham | basti: vireko vamanaṃ tathā taila ghṛtaṃ madhu: ||
There are two types of medicines.
1. Shamana – Palliative treatment – which brings the Dosha to normalcy, useful in initial stages of diseases
2. Shodhana – Purification treatment – which expels imbalanced Dosha out of body. – Useful in aggravated stages of diseases.
Examples:
For Vata – Basti (suppositories) is the Shodhana treatment, and oil is Shamana treatment.
For Pitta – Virechana (Purgation) is Shodhana and Ghee is Shamana.
For Kapha – Vamana (emesis) is Shodhana and Honey is Shamana.
Treatment for mental imbalance
Dhee – improving intelligence; Dhairya – improving courage; Atmavijnana – Self realization, are the means to treat mental imbalance.
16 FACTORS OF TREATMENT IN AYURVEDA
Chikitsa Chatushpada
– Bhishag (Doctor), Dravya (medicine), Upastha (Nurse) and Rogi (patient) are the four factors in treatment. Each of these four have further four qualities.
Qualities of Doctor / Bhishag
Daksha – Alert, disciplined
Shastra – Having detailed knowledge about diseases and treatment.
Drushtakarma – Having practical experience
Shuchi – Cleanliness
Qualities of Medicine / Dravya
Bahukalpa – Ability to formulate in different dosage forms, like decoction, powder,
herbal oil etc
Bahuguna – Having enormous qualities
Sampanna – Endowed with virtues
Yogya – suitable and appropriate for specific diseases.
Qualities of Nurse / Upashtha
Anurakta – Compassion towards patients
Shuchi – Cleanliness
Daksha – Alert, active
Buddhiman – Intelligence
Qualities of Patient / Rogi
Adya – Rich
Bhishagvashya – 100 % obedience towards doctor
Jnapaka – Good memory
Satvavaan – Having good strength to tolerate disease and treatment