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

Daksha – Alert, disciplined
Shastra – Having detailed knowledge about diseases and treatment.
Drushtakarma – Having practical experience
Shuchi – Cleanliness

Qualities of medicine

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

Anurakta – Compassion towards patients
Shuchi – Cleanliness
Daksha – Alert, active
Buddhiman – Intelligence

Qualities of patient

Adya – Rich
Bhishagvashya – 100 % obedience towards doctor
Jnapaka – Good memory
Satvavaan – Having good strength to tolerate disease and treatment