Books

Ancient and Modern Ayurveda Texts and Books: Troves of Knowledge of Life

Long before the days of paper, books in India were written on palm leaves. Palm leaves can be preserved only for a few years and people needed to rewrite the content of a set of palm leaves to another.

Ashtangahridaya; the Essence of Eight Branches of Ayurveda

The term Ashtanga Hridaya literally means the heart of eight organs (of Ayurveda). Asthangahridaya tells what you can find in this great Ayurvedic classic by Vagbhata, written in the fifth century AD.

Charaka Samhita by Acharya Charaka — Ancient Ayurveda Books

Charaka samhita is the main Ayurvedic text that deals with medicines and non-surgical methods of Ayurvedic treatment. Charaka Acharya lived in third or second century BC. Charaka Samhita is one of the three major classics of Ayurveda. Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridayam being the other two.

Bhava minsra (also Bhava Misra, Bhava minsara, Bhava Minshara) describes in detail the basic concepts of Ayurveda. It tells about healthy living, causes of diseases, symptoms of diseases, and cure of all diseases. It also tells about preparation of medicines from plants, animal products and minerals.

Sarngadhara Samhita — Ancient Ayurvedic Books

Sarngadhara Samhita is a practical handbook for Ayurveda practitioners. It is regarded as one among the top six ancient scripts of Ayurveda. While Sushruta samhita, Charaka Samhita and Ashtangahridaya are considered the major triad of Ayurveda, Sarngadhara Samhita, Madhavanidana and Bhavaprakasha are considered the minor triad.

Madhava Nidana or Madhava Nidanam is an ancient book that comments to some extent on Sushruta samhita, Charaka samhita and Astangahridaya. It doesnÂ’t tell in detail about treatment options by tells clearly about different diseases and deals with kaya chikitsa, bala chikitsa, shalya tantra, damstra chikitsa and shalakya chikitsa.

Sushruta Samhita by Acharya Sushruta — Ancient Ayurveda Books

Sushruta samhita written some 3000 years ago by an ancient acharya of Ayurveda, Sushruta is regarded as the basic knowledge of surgery. Sushrutha was a great surgeon of ancient times. It is also regarded as one of the four principal books on surgery. In his book, sushrutha samhitha, he also describes the methods of Panchakarma.

Astanga Samgraha, written by an Ayurveda acharya named Vagbhata in 6th century AD is the compilation of the works by both Charaka (Charaka Samhita) and Sushruta (Sushruta Samhita). Vagbhata later concentrated Astanga Samgraha to a new book Ashtangahridya (ashtanga hridaya). The essence of Ashtanga Samgraha is visible in Astanga hridaya).

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