Ancient Indians were aware of the existence of microbes or bacteria as well as the causation of diseases by them during the Vedic period. These references can be found in #Rigveda, Atharvaveda, Vishnupuran, Bhagwat Purana etc.
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Nearly hundred types of organisms have been described. Words like #Krimi, Pishacha, #Rakshasa, #Gandharva, Yatudhana have been used to describe them. They flourish in mountains, forests, plants & water bodies. They enter our food, water, milk through the external atmosphere.
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Ways to destroy or mitigate their ill effects?
Bali, #Mantra, Homa, Manidharana, Jambhavi.
#Sunrays, Fire, Using Guggulu, Dhataki, Jatamansi, Asvattha, Vata are also some ways of destroying them.
Sages hv also recommended 4 methods to destroy them
1) Refrain
2) Disentangle
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Bali, #Mantra, Homa, Manidharana, Jambhavi.
#Sunrays, Fire, Using Guggulu, Dhataki, Jatamansi, Asvattha, Vata are also some ways of destroying them.
Sages hv also recommended 4 methods to destroy them
1) Refrain
2) Disentangle
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3) Remove
4) Fumigate
What does Ayurveda say in this regard?
Ayurveda had advanced so much during that era that it had been divided into 8 branches by Sushrut in 5th Cent B.C.
#Bhuta Vidya was the branch that resembles modern day bacteriology.
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4) Fumigate
What does Ayurveda say in this regard?
Ayurveda had advanced so much during that era that it had been divided into 8 branches by Sushrut in 5th Cent B.C.
#Bhuta Vidya was the branch that resembles modern day bacteriology.
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Sushrut & Vagbhat had recognised a no of diseases as Sankramaka/infectious.
Some of them being Kushtha (Leprosy/Skin diseases), Masurika (Small Pox), Jwara (Fevers), Visarpa (Erysepalas) etc.
In the light of the above facts it's evident that bacteriology was known then..
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Some of them being Kushtha (Leprosy/Skin diseases), Masurika (Small Pox), Jwara (Fevers), Visarpa (Erysepalas) etc.
In the light of the above facts it's evident that bacteriology was known then..
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Interestingly, ancient sages despite being aware of microbes & their ability to cause diseases haven't linked up microbes with a large no. of diseases as was & is done by modern scientists.
It seems they have given secondary importance to #microorganisms to tridosha theory.
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It seems they have given secondary importance to #microorganisms to tridosha theory.
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Boyd, the well-known pathologist also observed "The same infection may produce very different effects in different persons. These variations depend on 2 factors:-
1. Virulence of microbes &
2. Resistance of the patient
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1. Virulence of microbes &
2. Resistance of the patient
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The susceptibility of infection is dependent on numerous factors which can be correlated with decreased "Vyadhikshamatva Shakti" as described by Charak.
What does Charak say about increasing #Vyadhikshamatva, which is termed #immunity in the modern world?
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What does Charak say about increasing #Vyadhikshamatva, which is termed #immunity in the modern world?
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1) The rules regarding #Ahara (Diet), #Nidra (Sleep), #Brahmacharya (Celibacy) are to be followed.
2) Dinacharya (Daily regimen) & Ritucharya (Seasonal regimen) mentioned in Swasthavritta are the gems of Ayurveda.
3) Sadvritta & #Rasayan have been described in detail too.
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2) Dinacharya (Daily regimen) & Ritucharya (Seasonal regimen) mentioned in Swasthavritta are the gems of Ayurveda.
3) Sadvritta & #Rasayan have been described in detail too.
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An individual who follows the above rules or adopts these measures, his dosha-dhatu-mala equilibrium is maintained at all times or his issues can be resolved immediately with least complications.
Hence, less chances of progression of an illness.
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Hence, less chances of progression of an illness.
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In short, the Vyadhikshamatva Shakti of an individual can't be impaired at any cost if the dosha-dhatu-mala equilibrium is maintained forever.
Hence, according to Ayurveda, the Kshetra (Human Body along with mind & senses) is more imp. than the strength of the microbes.
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Hence, according to Ayurveda, the Kshetra (Human Body along with mind & senses) is more imp. than the strength of the microbes.
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BOTTOM LINE :-
If the host is kept unsuitable for the multiplication of microbes, the defence mechanism of the body gains strength & the microbes cannot cause disease at any cost.
Microbes aren't as important for an Ayurvedic physician as is the human body.
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If the host is kept unsuitable for the multiplication of microbes, the defence mechanism of the body gains strength & the microbes cannot cause disease at any cost.
Microbes aren't as important for an Ayurvedic physician as is the human body.
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Hence, in the current pandemic, the success rate with Ayurvedic principles is decent owing to this very principle that is being adopted by Ayurvedists.
With diet, activity regimen & medicines, we create conditions that are unfavorable to the existence of the microbes in the body
With diet, activity regimen & medicines, we create conditions that are unfavorable to the existence of the microbes in the body
Precisely, #Ayurveda doesn't care about the structure and characteristics of the microbes.
All it cares about is the human body & it's defence mechanisms & adopts principles to bring about an equilibrium in the structural elements based on the symptoms.
Thread ends.
All it cares about is the human body & it's defence mechanisms & adopts principles to bring about an equilibrium in the structural elements based on the symptoms.
Thread ends.