Kerala Ayurveda History

Ayurveda is the science of life. Mythology says that this science of healing originated in the cosmic consciousness of Brahma-the creator. Ayurveda is often considered a branch of Atharva veda. The Vedas are four in number-Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yagur Veda and Atharva Veda. The Rig Veda, the oldest surviving book of any Indo-European language (3000 BC), is a compilation of verses on the nature of existence, which gave birth to epistemologies like sankhya that lie at the base of health and diseases, pathogenesis and the principles of treatment. The Rig Veda also contains discussions on the use of herbs to heal the diseases of the use of the mind and body and to foster longevity. The Atharva Veda lists the eight divisions of Ayurveda. The Vedic sagas took passages from the vedic scriptures relating to Ayurveda and compiled separate books, the Atreya Samitha is considered to be the oldest medical book in the world.

Kerala Ayurveda

Legend says that this land was a gift offered by the God of the sea, Varuna to Parasurama, one of the 10 incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. In order to atone for the sins, the sage gave the land to the Brahmins he brought from the northern part of India. To ensure their physical well-being in Kerala, Parasurama imparted the wisdom of Ayurveda to eight chosen families.

Modern Scholars are of the opinion that there were at least eight such families who practiced the art of healing. The prefix ‘astha’ or eight denotes, the eight branches of Ayurvedic science; ‘vaidya’ means physician.

The spread of Sanskrit language and literature in Kerala, which took place between fifth and seventh centuries AD, also resulted in the spread of Ayurveda in Kerala.

The period of the cosmopolitan of Ashtanga Hrudaya and Ashtanga Sangraha was also around the fifth century, but there is historical evidence to prove that Kerala possessed Ayurveda system of healing even before the advent of Sanskrit.

Unique evolution of Ayurveda in Kerala

Though Ayurveda is practiced all over India. Kerala is perhaps the only state where this science of medicines still follows age-old traditional laws, because of Kerala’s unique location, natural wealth and rich culture, the system of Ayurveda practiced here has developed certain characteristics different from those observed elsewhere.

Kerala has an unparallel wealth of herbs and natural vegetation. Though similar herbs and plants may be found in the Himalayas, those found in the state have a special potency due to Kerala’s unique geographical position and tropical climate. Even for classical Ayurvedic preparations, the practitioners of Kerala have evolved their own formulation that the superior in effect.

The Ayurveda in Kerala is also enriched by the Siddha and Marma traditions in Southern Kerala while in the north Kalarippayattu and Kalari therapy. This resulted in the emergence of a new stream noted for its special procedures and formulation.

Another factor which makes Kerala supreme in the field of Ayurveda is the rich tradition of the state. The state has an unbroken tradition of Sanskrit learning that enables healers to correctly interpret the Ayurvedic teachings that were originally written in Sanskrit. Even today the Namboodiri Brahmins follow Vedic traditions and systems of knowledge.