Traditional Systems of Medicine
Traditional systems of medicine have always played an important role in meeting global healthcare needs. In India, the major recognized systems are Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, and Homoeopathy. Though Homoeopathy originated in Germany in the 18th century, it has been fully assimilated into Indian culture and is now considered part of the Indian Systems of Medicine (ISM).
1. Ayurveda – Indian System of Medicine
Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine that originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. The term comes from two Sanskrit words — Ayur (life) and Veda (science or knowledge) — meaning “knowledge of life” or the “Science of Longevity.”
Ayurveda is based on the belief that disease results from an imbalance or stress in a person’s consciousness. It encourages lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to restore balance between the body, mind, spirit, and environment.
Core Philosophy: Everything in the universe is composed of five basic elements — Space, Air, Energy, Liquid, and Solid — which exist in the human body in three combined forms called the Tridosha (three pillars of life):
- Vata — Space and Air
- Pitta — Energy and Liquid
- Kapha — Liquid and Solid
When these three doshas are in harmony, a person is healthy. In every individual, one dosha tends to dominate. The seven body tissues (Saptadhatu) are:
| Sanskrit Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Rasa | Lymph |
| Rakta | Blood |
| Meda | Adipose tissue |
| Mamsa | Flesh |
| Majja | Nerve tissue |
| Shukra | Reproductive tissue |
| Asti | Bones |
Authentic Ayurvedic knowledge was compiled by ancient practitioners in texts called Samhitas and related books, with most formulations being polyherbal. Key herbs in Ayurveda include Rauvolfia serpentina, Cassia angustifolia, and Piper longum.
2. Unani System of Medicine
The Unani system traces its roots to the ancient Greek philosopher Hippocrates, and was further developed by Aristotle and Galen (the “Father of Natural History”). This Greek system of medicine was carried to Persia (Iran), where it was significantly improved by Arabian physicians.
Unani medicine is practised by hakims (traditional physicians) who rely on natural healing based on principles of harmony and balance — uniting the physical, mental, and spiritual realms.
Key features:
- Treats the cause of disease, not just symptoms
- Involves thorough patient history, pulse examination, and analysis of urine and stool
- Medicinal plants used include: Madar, Fuful, Kabab Chini, Sana, and Zeera
3. Siddha System of Medicine
The word Siddha means “achievement.” Siddhars were saintly personalities who attained proficiency in medicine through the practice of bhakti (devotion) and yoga. According to tradition, Lord Shiva revealed the knowledge of medicine to his wife Parvati, which was then passed on to the Siddhars.
Siddha practitioners believe that the same five basic elements — earth, water, fire, air, and sky — present in food and the human body are also found in herbal, animal, and inorganic therapeutic compounds (including sulphur and mercury).
Diagnosis methods include:
- Pulse reading
- Colour of the body
- Study of voice
- Urine examination
- Status of the digestive system
- Examination of the tongue
Key drugs used in Siddha:
- Abini (Papaver somniferum — Opium)
- Ethi (Strychnos nux-vomica)
4. Homoeopathy
Homoeopathy was developed in late 18th century Germany by Samuel Hahnemann, who proposed that the very cause of a disease can be used as its treatment — the principle of like cures like.
Core principles:
- The body has the innate ability to cure itself
- Tiny amounts of natural substances (plants, minerals) stimulate the healing process
- Drug choice depends entirely on the patient’s symptoms and clinical condition (based on the concept of proving and prover)
- Drugs are extracted as mother tinctures, then diluted in decimal or centesimal potencies
Categories of drugs used in Homoeopathy:
- Vegetable drugs: Arnica, Belladonna, Opium, Nux-vomica
- Animal drugs: Honey bees, Calcium carbonate, Cantharis
- Minerals and metals: Kalashisa, Sulphur, Copper, Platinum
Methods of Preparation of Ayurvedic Formulations
Ayurvedic formulations use various solvents (menstrua) including water, oils, milk, ghee, and cow’s urine. Sweetening agents, binding agents, colorants, flavouring agents, and adjuvants are commonly used to improve palatability and therapeutic benefit.
Classification of Ayurvedic formulations:
- Classical Ayurvedic Medicines — Based on formulas from traditional texts such as Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. Examples: Bhasma, Asavas, Arishtas, Taila.
- Proprietary Ayurvedic Medicines — Also called patent or modern Ayurvedic medicines, with formulas and dosage forms decided by the manufacturing company. Examples: Capsules, Syrups.
Dosage form categories:
- Solid dosage forms — Gutika, Churna
- Semi-solid forms — Avaleha, Ghrita
- Liquid dosage forms — Asava, Arista, Taila
Arista and Asava (Fermented Liquid Preparations)
These are self-generated alcoholic preparations prepared by adding powdered drug or its decoction to a solution of sugar or jaggery, facilitating the extraction of active principles through fermentation.
Preparation of Arista:
- Crude drugs are coarsely powdered.
- A decoction is prepared and filtered.
- Mixed with other ingredients and added to a solution of sugar, honey, or jaggery.
- Boiled, cooled, and transferred to wooden vessels.
- Covered with an earthen lid and allowed to ferment.
- Filtered and stored.
Preparation of Asava: Similar to Arista, but the drug is finely powdered (rather than decocted) before being mixed with sugar/jaggery solution, fermented, filtered, and stored.
Standardization criteria:
- Should be clear without froth or foam
- Should not become sour on standing
- Should have a characteristic aromatic and alcoholic odour
- Should produce no effervescence
Examples:
- Arishtas: Ashokarishta, Dashmularishta, Ashwagandharishta, Arjunarishta
- Asavas: Arvindasava, Kumaryasava, Vasakasava, Punarnavasava
Gutika (Tablets and Pills)
Gutika are medicines in the form of tablets (Vati) and pills (Gutika) containing single or combined herbal, mineral, or animal drugs.
Preparation:
- Drugs are made into fine powder.
- Mineral drugs are converted into calcined products (Bhasmas).
- All ingredients are mixed and made into a soft paste with specified liquids.
- Properly ground and shaped into tablets (Vati) or pills (Gutika).
Standardization criteria:
- Stable for up to 2 years after preparation
- Preparations containing only mineral ingredients can be used indefinitely
- Should not lose original colour, odour, taste, or form on storage
- Preparations containing sugar or salt must be protected from moisture
Examples: Pranda Gutika, Khadiradi Gutika, Lasunadi Gutika.
Taila (Medicated Oils)
Taila is a liquid or semi-solid dosage form of medicament meant for both internal and external use.
Preparation:
- Drugs are made into fine powder.
- A paste (Sneha Kalpa/Paka) of drugs and cooking oil is prepared.
- Mixed with other ingredients; the liquid (drava) should be 4 times the volume of oil.
- Boiled on moderate heat with constant stirring until the oil becomes free from water.
- When properly cooked, a large amount of foam appears on the surface.
- Filtered and stored.
Standardization criteria:
- Can be used internally and topically
- Retains potency for about 16 months
- Taken internally with warm water or warm milk
Examples: Bhringaraj Taila, Maha Narayan Taila, Laghu Vishgarbha Taila.
Churna (Powders)
Churna contains single or combined drugs along with other ingredients in powder form.
Preparation:
- Raw materials are cleaned, dried, and crushed.
- Sieved to obtain uniform particle size.
- Mixed to achieve a uniform powder.
- Packed in air-tight glass containers.
Standardization criteria:
- Should be free-flowing and not sticky or moist
- Stable for up to one year if stored properly
- Finer the powder, better the potency and therapeutic value
Examples: Triphala Churna, Trikatu Churna, Drakshadi Churna.
Lehya / Leha (Semisolid Preparations)
Lehya are semisolid preparations made by boiling powdered drugs or extracts with a solution of sugar or jaggery.
Preparation:
- Sugar or jaggery is dissolved in liquid, boiled, and filtered.
- Powdered drugs or extracts along with other ingredients are added.
- Continuously stirred to form a homogeneous semisolid.
- Ghee or oil is added while the preparation is hot.
Standardization criteria:
- Should neither harden nor liquefy
- Should show no fungal growth
- Should not change in colour, odour, or taste
- Can be used for up to one year if properly stored
Example: Chyavanprasha.
Bhasma (Calcined Preparations)
Bhasma are powdered forms of metals, minerals, or animal products prepared by calcination — heating the solid material in air to transform its original form into a fine ash-like powder.
Preparation involves two stages:
1. Shodhana (Purification) Metals or minerals are heated and immersed in specific liquids to remove toxicity — a process of purification.
2. Marana (Calcination) The purified drug from Shodhana is ground and mixed with plant extracts. The process:
- Small cakes are made and dried in sunlight.
- Dried cakes are placed in earthen vessels sealed with clay-smeared cloth.
- The pit is covered with cow dung cakes and fire is applied from all sides.
- Contents are removed, ground into a fine powder, and stored.
Standardization criteria:
- Bhasmas are grey, whitish, yellowish, or black coloured powders
- Highly stable for long periods
- Should not lose their potency
Examples: Suvarna Bhasma (gold), Shankha Bhasma (conch shell), Tamra Bhasma (copper).
D.Pharma 1st Year — All Subjects Notes
D.Pharma 2nd Year — All Subjects Notes