Ancient treatise on Ayurveda system in Indic medicine ; Sanskrit text with English translation and interpretation.

The Indian system of medicine is known for its classical literature, mainly the major triad of the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and the Ashtanga Hridayam. These classical texts were created by the seers of yore who had a profound knowledge free of any shortcomings. These ancient literary gems were based on the strong foundation of Indian Philosophy, mainly the theistic ones. Out of the three major classics, the Charaka Samhita is well known for its deliberations on the speciality of medicine. The main postulates of the Charaka Samhita aim at the maintenance of health of the healthy and the treatment of the diseased. The Charaka Samhita has a total of 120 chapters divided into 8 sections known as Sthana. The first and foremost is the Sutra Sthana, i.e. the section dealing with the fundamentals of the Indian system of medicine known as Ayurveda. All the basic principles of the Ayurveda system related to the health are mentioned in this section. These principles find their application elsewhere in the other seven sections of the text. One of the most important of all the sections of the Charaka Samhita is the Vimana Sthana, i.e. the section dealing with measurement/standardization. It is hereby referred to as the Section of Examinations or the Pariksha Sthana. The Vimana Sthana has a total of 8 chapters which ponder over a wide range of subjects like the special effects of drugs, epidemiology, pathology, dietetics, ways of gaining knowledge and the teaching methodology. The discussion in the Vimana Sthana centers on the different types of examination of the patient, mainly the ten-fold examination of the natural constitution (prakriti), vikriti (pathology) et al. Along with these examinations, there is a vivid description of the teaching methodology in the Ayurveda system of medicine with an emphasis on the friendly discussions. The fundamentals of research like the drug research and the five-fold research protocol are also conspicuous by their presence and find their widespread utility in the contemporary research arena. Thus, the Vimana Sthana provides ample knowledge to the seekers of Ayurveda knowledge and paves the way for research and standardization in this ancient holistic Indian System of medicine.

Text and translation of a 7th century work on diagnosis of diseases according to the ayurvedic system in Indic medicine; lacks first introductory chapter.

Arguably the oldest form of health care, Ayurveda is often referred to as the "Mother of All Healing." Although there has been considerable scientific research done in this area during the last 50 years, the results of that research have not been adequately disseminated. Meeting the need for an authoritative, evidence-based reference, Scientific Basis for Ayurvedic Therapies is the first book to analyze and synthesize current research supporting Ayurvedic medicine. This book reviews the latest scientific information, evaluates the research data, and presents it in an easy to use format. The editor has carefully selected topics based on the availability of scientific studies and the prevalence of a disease. With contributions from experts in their respective fields, topics include Ayurvedic disease management, panchkarma, Ayurvedic bhasmas, the current status of Ayurveda in India, clinical research design, and evaluation of typical clinical trials of certain diseases, to name just a few. While there are many books devoted to Ayurveda, very few have any in-depth basis in scientific studies. This book provides a critical evaluation of literature, clinical trials, and biochemical and pharmacological studies on major Ayurvedic therapies that demonstrates how they are supported by scientific data. Providing a natural bridge from Ayurveda to Western medicine, Scientific Basis for Ayurvedic Therapies facilitates the integration of these therapies by health care providers.

The Indian science of Ayurveda, or "life knowledge" has been practiced unbrokenfor thousands of years, handed down from teacher to student. Ayurveda provides themethod for living a balanced life, for the prevention of disease and pain and for thetreatment of diseases presently thought to be incurable. Unfortunately, during the periodof British occupation of India, traditional arts, including the science of Ayurveda, wereactively discouraged; 'Vaidyas', or accomplished Ayurvedic masters, were persecutedand numerous libraries and schools were burned to the ground. Since that time of foreignoccupation, India and it's culture have slowly been recovering. But the truth is thatAyurveda still remains in a semi-dormant state, a state of hibernation, waiting for thoseearnest and perseverant students who will bring Ayurveda back to it's full capacity.Fortunately there are a few excellent texts which have been preserved from ancient times.The Charaka Samhita is such a text. Recorded several thousand years ago from theteachings of the sage Punarvasu Atreya, it is a gem of practical wisdom which remains tothis day the most respected work on Ayurveda