The document provides an overview of the major traditional Indian medicine systems: Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy. Ayurveda is the oldest system, dating back to 2500 BC. It is based on balancing the doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) and treats diseases as an imbalance of these doshas. Sushruta Samhita is a foundational Ayurvedic text on surgery. Unani originated in Greece but was introduced to India in the 11th century. It views the body as composed of elements, temperaments, humors, organs and vital spirits. Siddha originated in Tamil culture and emphasizes balancing the five elements and three hum

1. INDIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINE
Prepared by- Shagufta Farooqui
Assistant Professor
Department of pharmacology

2. Indian System of medicine
Traditional system of medicine plays an important role in primary health care
needs.
The system of medicines which are of Indian origin or which have to come India
from outside and got incorporated into Indian culture are known as Indian
system of medicines
Ayurveda
Unani
1
Sidhha
Homeopathy
2

3. Ayurveda system of medicine
Ayurveda system of medicine is the oldest medical system.
Ayurveda word means Science of life.
The concept was developed between 2500 and 50 B.C.in India.
The four Vedas are-
1.Rigveda
2.Samveda
3.Yajurveda
4.Atharveda
The Ayurveda is a part of Atharveda.

4. Charka samitha was the first book having concept of practice of Ayurveda i.e
school of medicine .It describe 600plants and their products used in medicine.
Recorded in 1900 B.C.
Sushruta Samitha was the next ayurvedic literature which aimed on surgery i.e
for school of surgery .
It deals with different theories and fundamental principle of surgery. It describe
about 650 drugs ,different surgery related topics like anatomy, toxicology,
embryology etc.
Also describes the use of surgical instruments like scissors, forceps, scalpels.

5. Principle of Ayurveda
Panchmahabhu
ta
Gun-Rasa
Sidhhanta
Tridosha
Prithvi
Vayu
Agni
Akasha
Jala
Vata
Pitta
Kapha
Rasa
Guna
Virya
Vipaka
Prabhava

6. Panchmahabhutas
According to Ayurveda The universe is made of five basic elements also known as
Panchmahbhutas i.e Akasa (space), Vayu(Air),Teja or Agni(Fire),jala (water) and
prithvi (earth)
All these are mixed in an infinite variety of relative proportions such that form of
matter is distinctly unique. By constant change and interacting with each other,
they create a situation which keeps the world going.

7. Akasa-corresponds to spaces within the body (mouth,notrils,abdomen).
Vayu- denotes the movement (mascular also nervous system).
Agni-regulates the functioning of enzymes (intelligence,digestive sytem and
metabolism).
Jala denotes all body fluids (as plasma,saliva,digestive juices)
Prithvi means the solid structure of the body (bones, teeth, flesh and hair).

8. Trigunas
The three gunas Satva Rajas and Tamas are the three essential
components of the mind.
Ayurveda describes people on the basis of their manasa (psychological) and
Prakriti (constitution).
These psychological characteristics depend on the amount of the three gunas.
The three gunas when present in proper proportion maintain healthy state of
the mind. Any disturbance in this equilibrium results in mental disorders.
Satva-means lightness, consciousness, pleasure and clarity ,free disease and
cannot be disturbed in any way. It activates the senses and produce
perception of knowledge.
Rajas-has motion and stimulation. Desires, wishes, ambitions and fickle-
mindedness are due to this.
Tamas- characterized by heaviness and resistance

9. Stages of disease-
Stages of disease-
There are six stages of disease according to ayurveda-
1.Sanchaya-Accumulation-
In this dosha gets accumulated in its dwelling place i.e vata in colon , pitta in small
intestine and kapha in stomach
Vata accumulation indicates –constipation, abdominal distension or gases in the
colon.
Pitta accumulation indicates-Heat around the belly button, Yellowish discoloration
of the eyes or urine.
2.Prakopa-Provocation-
When a dosha increases in its home place then symptoms will be more significant
Vata symptoms0pain in the flanks or mid back, hyperperistalsis, gurgling and
breathlessness.
Pitta symptoms will be indigestion and heartburn.
Kapha symptoms will cough, congestion and heaviness.

10. 3.Prasara-Spread
Further aggravation or spread of the dosha leads to excess dosha in circulation.
Vata will move to the ears,skin,bones and thighs.Pitta will move to the stomach,
eyes, sweat gland,skin,heart and subcutaneous fat.
Kapha will move to the lungs,sinuses,lymphatic system,breast tissue,mouth and
head.
During this stage the doshas can do much harm but agni is there to protect
If agni is impaired the doshas will leave the GIT and disease will manifest
further and will difficult to cure.
4.Sthana samshraya-Deposition or localization
During this stage,aggravated dosha will tend to deposit into a spot which has
weakness.
When the dosha enters this spot,it changes the tissue and its qualities.At this
time there is a fight between the Agni and aggrevated dosha, if the agni is weak,
the dosha will change the qualities of the dhatu.
For example –Vata bring coldness, dryness into the dhatu
Putta may bring heat,oiliness
Kapha may bring stagnation,heaviness and congestion.

11. 5.Vyakti-Manifestation-
In this stage the dosha has overcome the dhatu and disturb the functioning of
tissues and there is qualitative changes in the cells, tissues and organs. These
changes are difficult to reverse.
For example. Cracking of joints occurs due to dryness of vata entering the joints(a
Kapha location).Inflammation is caused by Pitta entering the specific dhatu
Kapha will create congestion and swelling.
6.Bheda-Distortion/Destruction/Differentiation of disease-
In this stage,structural changes occur.
Complication of other organs,tissues or symptoms also occurs.
In this satge the tissue is affected as well as its surrounding areas and their
functions also get diturbed
Conditions are chronic,weaker system and enable spread of roots of other disease.
Vata during this stage can cause structural changes,severe dehydration etc.
Pitta may create ulcers in the stomach,hemorrhage and bleeding disorders
Kapha will cause tumor formation and fibrocystic changes.

12. Principles of Homeopathy system of medicine
The term homeopathy coined by Hahnemann and first appeared in 1807.It is a
unique and natural system of medicine which helps to stimulate the body’s
healing process with no common side effects.
Homeopathic system of medicine depends upon three simple principles.
Samuel Hahnemann, describes these principles in his book “Organon of
medicine and organon of the Healing art”

13. ❖The basic principles of Homeopathy-
It is based on seven principles of Homeopathy
Individualisation
Principle of Similia
Principle of Simplex
Principle of Minimum dose
Law of Providing
Law of dynamisation
Vital force

14. 1.The law of Similars (Like Cures Like):
This law is based on the principle that a substance which can cause symptoms un
healthy person,in non toxic micro doses can stimulate cure in others suffering with
same symptoms regardless of the cause.
Homeo Same or similar and pathos meaning suffering i.e Like cures like.
Examples-
1.Arnica montaca- Obtained from the arnica plant and used to treat trauma.
Its high dose produces toxic effects i.e it causes bleeding, bruising, swelling, etc.
And disturb repair
Homeopathy’s law of similars, introduced this essential remedy for injuries by
minimizing bruising, bleeding and swelling and stimulate healing of traumatized
tissue.
2.Apis mellifica-
The honeybee’s venom stimulates various responses in individuals like swelling
,pain and mild or severe allergic reactions. According to like cures like, it is useful
in healing of bites and stings, burning stinging pains, puffy swellings, inflamed
membranes, urinary irritation and respiratory problems.

15. 3.The Minimum Dose-
Hahnemann described the minimum dose as the smallest amount of the
substance that would bring healing and would do no harm. This discovered
homeopathy’s micro doses.
To minimize the side effects he discovered dilution and succession process
(vigorous shaking and striking against a solid surface)
Highly diluted concentrations(potencies) aggravated stronger healing responses
as the potency gets increased with dilution and safety profile of the drug also
increased potency.
4.The totality of the symptoms-
Homeopathic system of medicine is based on each individual patients complete
symptoms picture. This would include physical symptoms, their emotional and
mental state.
Homeopathy is a holistic system of healing. Patient's body, mind, spirit and
emotions are all considered in the management and prevention of disease.
Taking all these factor into account a homeopath will select the most appropriate
medicine.

16. Principles of Unani system of medicine
Unani system was originated in Greece.its foundation was laid down by
Hippocrates.
Arabs and persians introduced Unani system of medicine in India around 11th
century.
The word Unani derived from a Greek word ‘Ionian’
Hippocrates Practised it over 2500 years ago.
Unani medicine charecterized by the work of its practitioners also known as
hakims,who work on the basic principles of harmoney and balancing along
with physical,mental and spiritual knowledge.

17. According to Unani system of medicines the human body is supposed to made
up if the following seven components-
Elements(Arkan)
Temperament (Mizaj)
Bodily humours(akhlat)
Organ and sytems(Aaza)
Vital spirit(arwah)
Powers(quwah)
Functions(Afaal)

18. Principles of Treatment
Dietotherapy
Regimental
therapy
Pharmacothera
py
Surgery

19. Prevention of disease
Unani system has laid down six essentials pre-requisites(Asbab sitta e
zaroriayah) for the maintenance of health and prevention of disease-
Air
Foods and
drinks
Body
movement
Sleep and
wakefulness
Mental work
Excretion
and retention

20. Principles Of Siddha System Of Medicine
The Siddha is a traditional system is a traditional medicine system originated
from Tamil culture. It was believed that the siddha system was first described by
Lord shiva to his wife parvati.
Parvati explained all to her son Lord Muruga-kartik
He taught all his knowledge to a sage agasthya who then taught this to 18
siddhars and finally they spread this concept to human beings.
Siddhas emphasizes on Ashtmahasidhhi-The eight supernatural powers.
The persons who achieve this powers are known as Siddhars.
There were 18 siddhars and they developed this system of medicine that is why it
is called siddha medicine.
According to siddha sytem of medicine,man is a miniature universe in himself.

21. According to siddha the whole universe is made up of five basic elements
called Panchmahabhutam.
The Panchikaranam theory also known as five fold combination of siddha
science explain the origin and formation of these five basic elements as well
as their role in the formation of every substances in the universe and in
humans.
According to Pancheekaranam theory, these five elements always act in
mutual co-ordination and do not act independently.
The elements combine in varying proportions to give different compounds.
This sytem describes relation between these elements .

22. Five sense organs(called Pori) and functions of sense organs(Called Pulan)
as follows-
Panchabhootam Sense organs(Pori) Functions of sense
organs(Pulan)
Earth(Nilam) Nose Smell
Water (Neer) Mouth Taste
Fire(Thee) Eyes Vision
Air(Kaatru) Skin Touch
Space(Aagyam) Ears Hearing

23. Three Humours (Uyir Thathukkal)
VAATHAM PITHAM KABHAM
Three humours which are responsible for the creation, preservation and
destruction of human body and health.

24. Under normal conditions,the ration between Vaadham,Pitham and Kabham
are 4:2:1
And any disturbance in this ratio leads to diseased state or death.
The relationship of these three humours with panchabhootam and its
location and functions is describes as-
Vaatham Pitham Kabham
Panchabhootam Air and space Fire Earth and water
Functions Movement of
body,motor and
sensory activities
Preserve health,
maintain body
heat
Strength ,joint
movements, body
built and
endurance
Predominates In the region
below navel
Chest and
abdominal area
Head and neck

25. Diagnosis in Siddha system of medicine
To diagnosis a disease,Siddhars examine both the body and the disease
together to arrive at a conclusion regarding the condition or state of a
disease.
For diagnosis two mechanism are followed-
• Noi naadal
Approach to the
disease
• Noi mudal
naadal
Determination
of etiology of the
disease

26. It consists of eight criteria for physical examination and is called ‘Envagai theru’
These includes-
Tongue(Naa)
Color(Niram)
Speech(Mozhi)
Eyes(Vizi)
Stool(Malam)
Urine(Moothiram)
Touch(sparisam)
Pulse( Naadi)