Ayurveda, literally translating to "the science of life" is one of the world's oldest holistic healing systems. Its roots can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization (3300-1300 BCE) where evidence of herbal medicine practices have been found. However, the foundation of Ayurvedic knowledge is believed to be from the Vedas, a collection of ancient Indian texts written between 1500 BCE and 1000 BCE. These texts describe the universe as composed of five elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. These elements are also believed to be present within the human body and maintaining a balance between them is key to health and well-being.
Here's a timeline of some of the key milestones in the history of Ayurveda:
2nd millennium BCE: The Vedas, the foundation of Ayurvedic knowledge, are written.
6th century BCE: The Sushruta Samhita, a foundational text of Ayurveda focusing on surgery, is compiled. It describes various surgical procedures, including those for cataracts, rhinoplasty, and Caesarean sections.
4th-3rd century BCE: The Charaka Samhita, another foundational text of Ayurveda focusing on internal medicine, is compiled. It details information on anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnosis, and treatment of various diseases.
7th-8th century CE: Ayurveda is codified and documented by Vagbhata in his work, the Ashtanga Hridayam, which integrates the teachings of Sushruta and Charaka.
16th-18th century CE: The Mughal Empire in India patronizes Ayurveda, leading to a flourishing of the practice.
19th century CE: With the rise of Western medicine, Ayurveda faces a decline in popularity.
20th century CE: Renewed interest in Ayurveda begins in the West due to its holistic approach to health and emphasis on preventive care.
21st century CE: Ayurveda continues to gain worldwide recognition as a complementary and alternative medical system. Research is being conducted to explore the effectiveness of Ayurvedic treatments for various health conditions.