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.
