The Concept of Health in Sanskrit Medical Literature and its Utility to Modern World

Abstract

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian system of medicine, which stresses principally on prevention of body ailments rather than simply relieving pathological problems or symptoms. A literature survey was carried out to collect data about the concept of health emphasized in ayurvedic medical text in Sanskrit such as Caraka samhitha, Shusruta samhitha, ECT. Aiming to disseminate knowledge about ayurvedic health concept in different aspects. The main aims of Ayurveda is to protect health and prolong life and to eliminate diseases and dysfunctions of the body. The concept of health in Ayurveda is divided mainly to two components, individual health and public health. Hitha and ahitha ayu is life of person related to social health or social well being and sukha and dukha ayu is relevant to individual health.