Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine, has been developing and evolving for over 5,000 years. This ancient medical system has yet to lose its relevance in modern times as people continue to explore natural ways to treat conditions. Ayurveda, derived from Sanskrit, means “the science of life” and has continued to be a fundamental practice in the Indian subcontinent. Today, we will delve into the captivating history of Ayurveda, tracing its origins from ancient times to how it has become a significant complementary form of medicine with global recognition.

Ayurveda originated from the Vedic period, about 6,000 BCE, where the Vedas, sacred Hindu scriptures, were developed. It is believed that the information on Ayurveda was passed down orally, and Brahma is considered the father of Ayurveda. In this period, Dhaka Prajpati, a physician, helped develop and expand Ayurveda’s principles further. Later, Ashwini Kumar, celestial physicians, were believed to have upgraded Ayurveda with advanced methods. In the Satya Yuga period, Indra, the king of gods, is also believed to have played a role in developing Ayurveda.

In the Treta Yuga around 9-6 century BCE, Divodasa Dhanwantari created the school of surgery, taking Ayurveda to another level, and later Sushrut, in the 5th-4th century BCE, wrote Shushrut Samhita, a treatise on surgery. In the Dwapar Yuga, Kashyap, an Ayurvedic physician, focused on children and gynecological diseases, while Bharadwaj is regarded as the human father of Ayurvedic medicine.

Atreya Punarvasu continued the development of Ayurveda therapies in the 8th-6th century BCE and is credited with the implementation of the school of physicians. Atreya further wrote the Charak Samhita, which is the oldest and fundamental Ayurvedic text, written around 1st century CE. Ashtanga Hridayam, an ancient text on Ayurveda by Vagbhata, was written in the 8th century CE.

The Sharangadhara Samhita, a book of Ayurvedic recipes, was compiled by Sharangadhara in the 13th century CE. The use of mercury, which has become a significant aspect of Ayurveda, was first documented in the 14th century CE. The classification of Ayurvedic medicine was documented in the Bhavaprakasha, compiled by Bhavamishra in the 16th century CE.

Ayurveda boasts a rich and fascinating history that has unfolded over many centuries. It is clear that the techniques in Ayurveda, a system that has been evolving for thousands of years, are still widely used and valued today. Ayurveda’s principles, which include herbal medicine, massage, and meditation, are utilized worldwide, making it one of the oldest holistic medical systems globally. By understanding how Ayurveda has developed, evolved and has been resilient over the years, we can appreciate it better, and embrace it as a complementary form of medicine in our daily lives.