Ayurveda has various branches for treatment of several diseases. Charaka rishi in Charaka Samhita discussed about the 8 specialized branches of Ayurveda for cure of various human illnesses. These 8 branches when combined, are termed as Ashtang Ayurveda.
According to Ayurveda, there should be a specialized treatment for various body organs. Hence, Ayurveda is divided into different specialized branches that deals with internal medicine, psychiatry, treatment of ears, eyes, throat, nose and head, gerontology and toxicology separately. The article discusses about various branches in Ayurveda system of medicine.
Eight Branches of Ashtang Ayurveda
Eight branches are given as follows:
- Kaya chikitsa – Internal Medicine
- Bala chikitsa – Pediatrics
- Shalya chikitsa – Surgery
- Urdhvanga chikitsa – Treatment of ears, eyes, throat, nose and head
- Graha chikitsa – Bhoot Vidya – Psychiatry
- Jara chikitsa — Rasayana – Gerontology
- Damstra chikitsa – Agad Tantra – Toxicology
- Vrishya chikitsa — vajikarana – Aphrodisiacs
The above are 8 specialized branches of Ayurveda.
Kaya chikitsa
- Kaya means ‘body’ and chikitsa means ‘treatment’. Thus, kaya chikitsa means body treatment.
- It is a branch of Ayurvedic medicine that deals with all kinds of diseases present in body like fever, cold, cough etc.
Shalya chikitsa
- Shalya means surgery. Thus, this branch of Ayurveda deals about surgery
- This branch discusses in detail about various pre- operative, post operative and general procedures, marma’s and anesthesia.
- It has a description about types of equipments to be used inn surgery like sharp instruments (shastra), blunt instruments (yantras), stitches (sutures) and bandages.
Bala chikitsa
This branch is related to the treatment of various ailments related to children.
Graha chikitsa
- This branch is considered to be a contemporary and alternative medicine branch.
- This Bhut vidya is the subdivision of Ayurveda that deals with various psychological disorders of man caused by incursion of evil spirits.
Urdhvanga chikitsa
- The word Urdhvanga means the organs that are situated above the neck.
- Thus, this branch deals with treatment of diseases related to ears, eyes, throat, nose and head.
Damstra chikitsa
This is one of the 8 branches that deals with study of poisons and toxins.
Jara chikitsa
The rejuvenating therapy or Jara chikitsa rasayana is that branch which enhances health, longevity and treatment of various diseases in the sick.
Vrishya chikitsa
- This branch includes medication used to improve fertility.
- These drugs are good aphrodisiacs, enhance seminal secretions and pleasurable excitement.
- These medicines also increase the stamina and strength of a person.
The above are 8 branches of Ashtang Ayurveda.
