Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest approaches to medicine. The word “Ayurveda” originated from one of the pristine language called Sanskrit. Ayurveda into two segments as “Ayur” and “Veda”, these two words stands for “Life” and “Science” (Science of Life). This is an ancient healing system is based on 5000 years of tradition. Also this healing system has been use for more than 5000 years in India & Sri Lanka. Still today in Sri Lanka approximately 60% of the populations are treated with healing system. Ayurveda an approach to healing that has been proven and tested over thousands of years and that only uses medicines that are found in nature.
The major source of Ayurvedic knowledge is the “Vedas” the sacred texts of knowledge of Hindu God called Load Brahma, (MAHA BRAHMA). The God Maha Brahma introduced this healing system for both achievements of “Enlightment” and also to prevent from disorders. “Ayurveda” published two Ayurvedic sub categories such as “Three Dosha” and “Panchakarmaya”.
Three Dosha:
- VATHA (Air)
- PITHA (Bile)
- KAPHA (Phlegm)
This healing method is entirely without chemicals. Health means harmony between BODY and SOUL. Ayurveda Re – Establishes the balance between body and soul. Maintaining and Re – Establishing health has always been the aim of Ayurveda. I you adopt a preventative approach and avoid anything that has a damaging influence on your body and soul, you will be able to preserve your health. Ayurveda will assist you with this healing method.
The Sri Lankan tradition of Ayurveda is similar to the Indian tradition. Practitioners of Ayurveda in Sri Lanka refer to Sanskrit texts which are common to both countries. However, they do differ in some aspects, particularly in the herbs used.
In 1980, the Sri Lankan government established a Ministry of Indigenous Medicine to revive and regulate Ayurveda. The Institute of Indigenous Medicine (affiliated to the University of Colombo) offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and MD degrees in Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery, and similar degrees in unani medicine. In the public system, there are currently 62 Ayurvedic hospitals and 208 central dispensaries, which served about 3 million people (about 11% of Sri Lanka’s population) in 2010. In total, there are about 20,000 registered practitioners of Ayurveda in the country.
According to the Mahavamsa, an ancient chronicle of Sinhalese royalty from the sixth century C.E., King Pandukabhaya of Sri Lanka(reigned 437 BCE to 367 BCE) had lying-in-homes and Ayurvedic hospitals (Sivikasotthi-Sala) built in various parts of the country. This is the earliest documented evidence available of institutions dedicated specifically to the care of the sick anywhere in the world. Mihintale Hospital is the oldest in the world.
