Ayurveda in Yajurveda (यजुर्वेदे आयुर्वेदः)

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Yajurveda is one of the four eminent and oldest Sanskrit literature belonging to 1200-800 BCE roughly. It is written in prose form which distinguishes this Veda from others.  

Introduction

In a nutshell, Yajurveda which is written in the Vedic Sanskrit language is divided into two major sections namely, “Krishna” Yajurveda and “Shukla” Yajurveda. Ayurveda knowledge is described in Taitiriya Samhita which is a part of Krishna Yajurveda and Vajasaneyi Samhita which is a part of Shukla Yajurveda. Moreover, major Ayurvedic knowledge is derived from Shatapatha Brahmana which is a text or commentary on “Shukla” Yajurveda.

Etymology

यजुरेव वेदः । यजुषां वेद इति वा (Shabd. 4/006)

Yajurveda is a Sanskrit term that loosely translates to “Knowledge of the sacrifice”. The word “yajus” means “worship or sacrifice” and “Veda” translates to “knowledge”.

References of Ayurveda in Yajurveda

Aushadhi

• In Yajurveda, references to various dravyas are mentioned that were majorly used for Yajnya or worship and to maintain one’s health.
• Certain verses from Rigveda in context with “Aushadhi” or herbs have also been mentioned in Yajurveda. For instance, just like the Aushadhi is mentioned as “Maata” or mother entity in Rigveda, in Yajurveda as well herbs are considered divine mother entities. There are verses that mention a prayer toward Aushadhi or herbs before administration not just in humans but animals as well. (yaj.12.83)
• There is also a prayer stating no harm to even the smallest organisms before uprooting or plucking herbs. Aushadhi is considered as “Shrestha” or the best. (va.sa.12.75-79,89,95)

https://archive.org/details/ayurved-ka-brihat-itihas-atrideva-vidyalankara/page/n25/mode/2up

• It is good to know the names of herbs or medicines but it is essential to know the properties and uses of it, and the one who knows that is considered as a true bhishak or physician as per Acharya Charaka. (char.sutr.1.120-123) A similar verse can be found in Yajurveda where it is stated that, A good physician is the one with whom there is abundance (of knowledge of) of aushadhi or herbs and who has knowledge to cure various diseases. (yaj.12.8)

• In one verse Aushadhi which is considered as Shrestha is also considered as “rajnyi” or empress. And “naman” (bowing down) to the vriksha or herb that bears the atrocities of the climate and yet gives away herself for the best of humans and animals is suggested. The point of “naman” in Vedas displays devotion and a sublime perception of the herbs. (Yaj.12.92)

Divya Vaidya qualities

(yaj.16.5)

The one who cures the disease from its root cause.

Who destroys “Rakshas” (? worms/microorganisms)

The one who cures the diseases, which have  bad prognosis and of which the symptoms are not subsiding in a way that they never occur again.

Treatment aspects

There are verses mentioning the treatment of blindness, rajyakshma (correlated with Tuberculosis like cachexic conditions), unmada (isolated Ayurveda disease entity correlated with certain psychiatric disorders). (Tait.sam.2.1.1.1) and (2.4.14.5)

Taitiriya Samhita has references of the organ entities along with Tridoshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) (tai.sam.19.85), (24.7)