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The Ayurvedic Heritage of Kerala

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The Ayurvedic Heritage of Kerala Ancient Science of Life, Vol No. V No. 1 July 1985, Pages 54 - 64 THE AYURVEDIC HERITAGE OF KERALA P. R. VARIAR Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala Branch, Statue Road, Trivandrum 695 001, India. Received: October 08, 1984 Accepted revised manuscript January 23, 1985 ABSTRACT: Ayurveda has a long history of being enriched by different types of contributions from different stages befitting their geographical, climatic and cultural situations, and based on their thinking and living patterns, especially the practical aspects. Kerala has its own great role in this prcess of enrichment. It is unique and invaluable. The historical aspects the literary contributions by Kerala to the Ayurvedic system, the traditional and special treatments of Kerala etc., are discussed in this paper. There are many families in Kerala who were The Ottamulika (single herb treatment) specialistis in one or more types of remedies prevalent among the tribes of Kerala for like Uzhieil (massage), Marmachikitsa snake – bites, for family planning, for curing (treatment for diseases of certain vital parts of diseases etc. form a field where more of the body), Balachikitsa (paediatrics), investigation has to be done. The nutritious Netracikitsa (Opthalmology), Visa Cikitsa qualities and biological value of various (toxicology), Bhutapasmara Pratividhi food were known to the people. The Ahara (Psychiatric treatment) and in remedis for Pathya (restrictions and modifications in wounds, fractures and bruises. Macropolo diet) by the Ayurvedists are mainly based on the famous Venitian traveller who visited this knowledge. Different kinds of food for Kerala during the 13th century writes that children which are easily digestible were “here, in Kerala there are many good doctors also known. Green leafy vegetables were and astrologers”. All these people were in suffested for people suffering from anaemia. one way or other learned in Ayurveda. Every house wife knew a bit of folk Other evidences are there to prove that a medicine and an expert was consulted only system of medicine existed in Kerala even in very serious cases. It was customary even before the advent of the Aryans. Owing to to worship herbs in various ways on certain the great variations in climate and soil auspicious days. Some regular practices condition and good rainfall (nowhere less originally aimed at maintaining health and than 120 cms. Annually), Kerala had a rich curing diseases at home later on became and varied flora and fauna and this has rituals. Adorning ‘Dasapuspas’ (ten definitely played a major role in the flowers) on the head is an example. The development of the medical system in ‘Dasapuspas’ are: (List on the next page). Kerala. All the authors of the Ayurvedic Nighantus Ottamulika and Dasapushpa (Dictionaries containing Medica and Therapeutics) are unanimous that Lakshmana (7 above) cures sterility in Pages 54 - 64 women. ‘KATHITA PUTRADA (Mustacyprus Rotundu) etc. which ahs AVASYAM LAKSMANA anthelmentic, Carminative and MUNIPUNGAVAT’ (meaning, it is antidysenteric actions. To prepare Mukkuti declared by the saints that Laksmana is the medicinal herbs are first boiled with Putrada – giving male baby) suitable liquids like butter-milk which is BHAVAPRAKASA. reduced by boiling to a specific quantity. The boiled herbs are then ground well into a Mukkuti paste and allowed to go dry divided in circular masses of definite weights and Similarly on the first date of Karkitaka measures and spread on wooden plants, each month (4th lunar month) each member of ‘circle’ forming one dose of the medicine Malayali family would have to drink a which can be preserved for a long period, if ‘Mukkuti’ (Pramathya in Sanskrit) prepared kept intact. Each dose is taken with butter with Kutakappala (Kutaja – Holarrhena milk or other suitable vehicles. ‘Mukkuti’ is Antidysenterica, Wale) and ‘Muttanna’ a speciality of Kerala. S.No. Malayalam Sanskrit Botanical Name 1) Puvamkuruntala Sahadevi (Vernonia Cine Ria) 2) Muyalcevi Sasakarni (Emilia Sonchifolia D. C) 3) Karuka Durva (Cyno Dun dactylon pers) 4) Kannunni Bhrngaraja (Eclipta Alba) 5) Nilappana Varahi (Curculgo orehiodes) 6) Cerula Adanapaki (Aeura Lanata) 7) Tirutali Laksmana (Ipomea sepiaria Koenig) 8) Uzhinna Sakralatha (Cardio Sperum Helicacabrium) 9) Mukkutti Lajjalu (Biophytum Sensitivum D. C) 10) Tulasi Tulasi (Ocimum Basilicum) Oil Bath Abhyanga (Oil bath) – bath after Malayali. The oil (coconut oil or gingelly applications of oil on the head and body was oil) would be medicated with herbal juices an essential itme in the daily routine of the and other drugs as prescribed by the Pages 54 - 64 physicians according to the seasonal the disciples of Vagbhata, settled in Kerala conditions, constitutional peculiarties of the and had many disciples and followers. And individual etc. This oil bath is supposed to Indu who wrote the famous ‘Sasilekha’ have many favourable effects on the body Commentary of Astanga Samgraham and and mind. It prevents the degenerations of Astangahrdayam, is believed to be a tissues and improves the texture and Keralite. complexion of the skin and development of the muscles. It promotes good sleep also Ashtavaidyas according to Astangahrdaya the most popular Ayurvedic text. The servies rendered during the period of ‘decadence’ of Ayurveda (1560 - 1850) and For removing Oil from the body while in the ‘revival period’ by the ‘Astavaidya’ taking bath barks of ‘inca’ – Mal. (Acacia Brahmin families, some Izhava families and Intsia), Vaka-Mal. (Albizzia Magnata) etc. such other sects of people who studied which are somewhat bitter and astringent in Astangahrdayam thoroughly and practised taste and disinfectants in effect, are made the system of Ayurveda as a traditional use of and from the head ‘Tali’ – (Mal.) vocation, should be remembered with Plants like ‘Vellia’ – Mal (Mussoenda gratitude. The ‘Astavaidyas’ are called so, frondosa) with white bracts which form a because they were practitioners of Ayurveda viscous fluid if squeezed well with water, having eight branches. and possess several medicinal properties favourable to eyes, hairs and nervous Veterinary Science system. Kerala which stands in the fore – front in Ayurvedic Literature honouring elephants in temple processions has taken care to breed by selection The literature on medicine in Kerala can be elephants showing good signs and features. generally divided into three: (1) Specialist Ayurvedic Physicians in this field Commentaries of classical texts and were not rate in Kerala. ‘Matangalila’ (The independent works based on them. (2) The Elephant’s play) is a book on treatment of Compilations of prescriptions of medicines elephants. This book with 12 Chapters and practical directions occassionally contains several pieces of information scribled by physicians and prevalent in the regarding elephants. This is a treasure of country. (3) New works incorporating knowledge in the field of Ayurvedic modern trends in scientific knowledge. treatment of elephants (Hastyayurveda). Astanga Samgraha and Astangahrdaya by Vrikshayurveda Vagbhatacarya, which are condensed forms (with Malayalam Commentary) of earlier elaborate authentic ‘Samhitas’ were popular in Kerala even from the early Brhat samhita of Varahamihira (4th Century days. From the history of Ayurveda in A. D.) is considered the first encyclopaedia Kerala it can be understood that Sanskrit in Sanskrit. It deals with an astonishing began to flourish in Kerala between 5 – 6 variety of subjects of exceptional interest centuries A. D. It is assumed that the works and value. The 55th chapter of this Book of Vagbhata came out between the 5th and deals with Vrksayurveda. It also includes 7th centuries. It is said that Indu and Jejjata, methods of plantations of various trees, Pages 54 - 64 shrubs, creepers, etc. after culturing soil century A. D.). Another work called Tantra with various processess and treatments for Yukti Vicara by Vaidyanatha Nilamegha (9th preventing and curing the various ailments Century A. D) was published in 1928 (and affecting them. 1976 by the above Grandhavali and the publication Division). “Tantra Yukti” may We have a book of Vrksayurveda with a be defined as the methodology and Malayalam commentary by Mahopadhyaya technique which enables one to compose K. Padmanabha Pillai Sasthri and with a and interpret scientific treatises correctly scholarly introduction by Suranattu Kunnan and intelligently. In other words it stands Pillai. The book published in 1946 by for the systematic approach to a scientific Vidvan K. Vasu Panikkar is now out of subject and this enables one to clearly print. The original work is by one elucidate the matter in hand. There is “Sarngadhara”, a contemporary of Raja another book called RASOPANISAD (on “Hamira” of 13th century. The book deals Rasatantra – Ayurvedic chemotherapy) with various aspects of the subject like 1. published by the Trivandrum Grandhavali. Bhuminirupanam (Selection of soils), 2. Vaidyamanorama contains some very Bijotpatty vidhi (Rules for sowing of seeds), effective recipes, including some ‘tricky 3. Padapavivaksa, (Methods of treatments’ for which Kerala is famous. Propagation), 4. Ropanavidhanam (process These applications are not found in any of plantation), 5. Nisecanavidhi (Rules for other book. The medical folk lore available watering of plants), 6. Posanavidhi (Rules in Kerala is the basis of this book. Dhara for the nourishment of plants), 7. (pouring liquid) is a special medical Drumaraksha (Rules for the protection of treatment of Kerala. A work called
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