Ayurveda originated in India long back in pre-vedic period. Rigveda and Atharva-veda ( 5000 years B.C.), the earliest documented ancient Indian knowledge have references on health and diseases. Ayurved texts like Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita were documented about 1000 years B.C. The term Ayurveda means ‘Science of Life'. It deals elaborately with measures for healthful living during the entire span of life and its various phases. Besides, dealing with principles for maintenance of health, it has also developed a wide range of therapeutic measures to combat illness. These principles of positive health and therapeutic measures relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual welfare of human beings. Thus Ayurveda becomes one of the oldest systems of health care dealing with both the preventive and curative aspects of life in a most comprehensive way and presents a close similarity to the WHO's concept of health propounded in the modern era.
A perusal of its several classical treatises indicate presence of two schools of Physicians and Surgeons and eight specialities. These eight disciplines are generally called "Ashtanga Ayurveda" and are :- · Internal Medicine(Kaya Chikitsa) · Paediatrics(Kaumar Bhritya)
· Psychiatry( Bhoot Vidya) Otorhinolaryngology and Ophthalmology(Shalakya) Surgery( Shalya) Toxicology( Agad Tantra) Geriatrics(Rasayana) Eugenics and phrodisiacs(Vajikarana) Compendia on these subjects like Charak Samihta, Sushruta Samhita etc. were written by the ancient scholars during B.C. period. These were used for teaching of Ayurveda in the ancient universities of Takshashila and Nalanda The Charak Samhita consisted of another science of healing-ayurveda, ancient India's most potent contribution to the world of medicine. Legend has it that Brahma, the creator of the universe, perceived this science and taught it to Prajapati Daksha, who transferred the knowledge to his twin brother Ashwini. In his turn, Ashwini taught ayurveda to Indra who passed on the science to various sages. Two of Indra's disciples-Bharadwaja and Deodas Dhanwantari-later became prominent physicians. Dhanwantari revealed this science to his pupil Susruta, who developed surgery. Apart from providing a con summate healing technology, the ayurvedic savants also made some amazing discoveries about the human body. For example, they found that the number of bones in the human body actually equals the number of days in a year. Kerala's equable climate, natural abundance of forests, and the cool monsoon season are best suited for Ayurveda's curative and restorative packages. Infact, today kerala is the only state in India which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication. Ayurveda has certain prestigious type of treatment methods, done only in Kerala. The application of Luke warm herbal oils (Pizhichil) on the body and massaging by a team of three or four trained masseurs continuously for an hour everyday a week or two week. The rejuvenation treatments methods are at its peak in Ayurveda is popularly called as Rasayana Chikitsa. This treatment includes body massage with medicated oil, herbal powders, head and face massage and also the use of internal rejuventative medicines along with the steam bath. This therapy helps to rejuvenate the body, mind and soul and also to tone up the skin, thus helping to achieve longevity.