In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Source: National Mission for Manuscripts: Traditional Medicine System in India

Pharmacotherapy (or Pharmacotherapeutics) is the study of therapeutic uses and effects of drugs in the body and Pharmacology is the branch of medicine or biology that deals with the action of drugs. The Ayurvedic view of pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics of Āyurveda drugs are as follows:—According to it dravya or drug is comprised of rasa (taste), guṇa (properties and qualities), vīrya (potency), vipāka (post-digestive-taste), prabhāva (serendipity—specific effect of a drug) and karma (targeted action of a drug). According to modern pharmacology also, the drug actions are based on tanin, resin glycosides, essential oils, volatile oil and alkaloid, present in them.

The rasa, guṇa and vīrya of the drug explains the pharmacology of Ayurvedic drugs. The vipāka, prabhāva, and karma of the drug explain the pharmcotherpeutics of a drug.

context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

See also (Relevant definitions)

Full-text: Galega officinalis, Commiphora mukul, Pharmacotherapeutics.

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