In literal terms chikitsa means
treatment i.e. the manner in which the medicines are applied, what medicines
are to be applied or consumed to establish harmony between the doshas and
root out the disequilibrium between the factors responsible for the
physiological functions of the body i.e. Health.
Classification of Chikitsa
Ekvidh Chikitsa (one type)
- Nidanparivarjan
It refers to the factors or the causes of the disease that promote the
disequilibrium between the dosha, dhatu & mala, eventually leading
to samprapti (pathogenesis) of the disease.
- Parivarjan
It refers to the factors that must be left as they cause disequilibrium
and disharmony among the dosha, dhatu & mala. Example: dadhi i.e.
curds (yogurt) excessive consumption of curds leads to vitiation of
Kapha dosha causing Diabetes mellitus. Hence to quit (stop eating
yogurts i.e. excessive consumption of the same).
Dvividh (two types)
- Urjaskar
This refers to remedies applied for the prevention of the disease to
maintain good health. On the basis of usage or purpose for which this
remedy is used Urjaskar is further divided into the two following
categories:
- a) Rasayan
These are the remedies applied for rejuvenation and are associated
with physical & physiological aspects of health also
- b) Vajikaran
These are the remedies applied for increasing the sexual vigor in
human beings. It is notable that Rasayan & Vajikaran serve
preventive medicine and therapeutics both along with social
medication.
- Rogaghna
This refers tot he remedies applied to cure a particular ailment. These
remedies are classified as follows:
- a) Rogprashaman
This refers to the treatments that are applied to cure the disease
but it is unable to prevent the recurrence of disease.
- b) Apunarbhava
This refers to the treatments that are able to curb the recurrence
of the disease.
- c) Dravyabhoot
This refers to all the therapeutics used to treat diseases.
- d) Adravyabhoot
This refers to the methods used to cure other than therapeutics.
Example: Bhaya (fear), Vismapan (to perplex the patient),
Vyayam (exercise) and Upavas (fasting)
Trividh Chikitsa (three-types)
- Dev vyapashray
This refers to faith healing or the methods related to belief of any
individual. Generally all these methods have a religious reasoning
behind them. These include uses of mantra- Jap (in the form of prayers),
Aushadhi- Dharan (for e.g. to wear beads of Rudraksha), Tirthyatra (to
visit religious shrines) to offer prayers to god.
- Yukti vyapashray
It refers to the ideas implied to decide a concrete regimen for the
management of the treatment and medication of the patient.
Example: combinations of medicines, main doses etc depending
upon factors like age, severity of the disease etc.
- Satvawaya
It refers to the remedies that are concerned with physiological aspects
of treatment that eventually leads to physical and physiological well
being.
Example: yoga
Trividh Chikitsa Upakram (Three types of therapies)
- Antaparimarjan
This refers to the medicines that are consumed orally.
- Bahiparimarjan
This refers to the medicines that are consumed for local application.
- Shastra Pranidhan
This refers to the remedies that are in the form of surgical procedures
involving the use of surgical instruments.