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In Ayurveda, the term ‘Chikitsa (चिकित्सा)’ signifies treatment of a Roga or Vyadhi (Illness or disease). Naturally, it is used frequently in Ayurveda literature. Other terms like Bheshajam, Aushadham, Upachara, Karyam, Kriya, Prashamanam Vyadhiharam, Pathyam and Sadhanam are synonymously used with the word ‘Chikitsa’.   

In Ayurveda, the word ‘Chikitsa (चिकित्सा)’ means treatment of a [[Roga (रोगः)|Roga]] or Vyadhi (Illness or disease). Naturally, this word is used frequently in Ayurveda literature. Other terms like Bheshajam, Aushadham, Upachara, Karyam, Kriya, Prashamanam, Vyadhiharam, Pathyam and Sadhanam are synonymously used with the word ‘Chikitsa’.   

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

Ayurveda offers the precious knowledge on use of various measures to preserve health and life. Therefore, at most of the places in classics one can find that, various herbs, minerals, food items and even lifestyle measures are suggested as a solution for the presenting illness. Cure of diseases is one of the aims of Ayurveda. Thus, various management protocols are recommended to treat the diseases and re-establish the disturbed balance of body elements to confer health. All these measures are known as the Chikitsa of the disease or illness. Since the methods suggested to obtain health are numerous and change on the basis of cause of illness as well as use of a particular medicinal substance, material or activity; Chikitsa is of various types.  

Ayurveda offers the precious knowledge on use of various measures to preserve health and life. Therefore, at most of the places in classics, one can find that, various herbs, minerals, food items and even lifestyle measures are suggested to get free from the presenting illness. Cure of diseases is one of the aims of Ayurveda. Thus, various management protocols are recommended to treat the diseases and re-establish the disturbed balance of body elements to confer health. All these measures are known as the Chikitsa of the disease or illness. Since the methods suggested to obtain health are numerous and change on the basis of cause of illness as well as use of a particular medicinal substance, material or activity; Chikitsa is of various types.  

== Etymology ==

== Etymology ==

The word ‘Chikitsa’ is derived from root word ‘Kit’

The word ‘Chikitsa’ is derived from root word ‘Kit’

In Samskrit, Kit means eradication or elimination (of diseases)

In Samskrit, Kit means eradication or elimination (of diseases)<blockquote>कित् रोगापनयने।</blockquote>Thus, the word ‘Chikitsa’ means eliminaitno or separation or destruction of a diseases from the body

As per Amarakosha,  <blockquote>चिकित्सा रुक् प्रतिक्रिया। <ref>Amarakosha (2/6/50)</ref></blockquote>Hence, Chikitsa is called as the action taken against a disease Or eradicating pain or disease

 

 

As per Amarakosha (2/6/50)  

 

 

Hence, Chikitsa is called as the action taken against a disease Or eradicating pain or disease

== Definition of Chikitsa ==

== Definition of Chikitsa ==

याभिः क्रियाभिर्जायन्ते शरीरे धातवः समाः| सा चिकित्सा विकाराणां कर्म तद्भिषजां स्मृतम्|

Ayurveda classics precisely define the word 'Chikitsa' through which the chief aim and subsequent outcome is clearly stated. Acharya Charaka says that, Chikitsa (therapeutics) is an act which establishes the disturbed equilibrium of vital body elements and maintains this balance without causing any new impairment. <blockquote>याभिः क्रियाभिर्जायन्ते शरीरे धातवः समाः| सा चिकित्सा विकाराणां कर्म तद्भिषजां स्मृतम्|</blockquote><blockquote>कथं शरीरे धातूनां वैषम्यं न भवेदिति| समानां चानुबन्धः स्यादित्यर्थं क्रियते क्रिया||- (Char. Samh. 16.34-35) <ref name=":0">Charaka Samhita ([http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Chikitsaprabhritiya_Adhyaya#Definition_of_chikitsa_and_the_duty_of_a_physician Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 16 Sutram 34-35])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>yābhiḥ kriyābhirjāyantē śarīrē dhātavaḥ samāḥ| sā cikitsā vikārāṇāṁ karma tadbhiṣajāṁ smr̥tam|</blockquote><blockquote>kathaṁ śarīrē dhātūnāṁ vaiṣamyaṁ na bhavēditi| samānāṁ cānubandhaḥ syādityarthaṁ kriyatē  riya||</blockquote>Meaning: Therapeutics therefore consists of measures or operations by way of which concordance of the tissue elements can be sustained and this (achieving concordance of tissue elements) constitutes the duty of the physician. Therapy is administered with the sole objective of ensuring that no discordance prevails in tissue elements and that there is sustenance of continued concordance.<ref name=":0" />

 

कथं शरीरे धातूनां वैषम्यं न भवेदिति| समानां चानुबन्धः स्यादित्यर्थं क्रियते क्रिया||- cha su 16/34-35 <ref>Charaka Samhita ([http://www.carakasamhitaonline.com/mediawiki-1.28.2/index.php?title=Chikitsaprabhritiya_Adhyaya#Definition_of_chikitsa_and_the_duty_of_a_physician Sutrasthanam Adhyaya 16 Sutram 34-35])</ref>

 

yābhiḥ kriyābhirjāyantē śarīrē dhātavaḥ samāḥ| sā cikitsā vikārāṇāṁ karma tadbhiṣajāṁ smr̥tam|

 

kathaṁ śarīrē dhātūnāṁ vaiṣamyaṁ na bhavēditi| samānāṁ cānubandhaḥ syādityarthaṁ kriyatē  riya||

 

Meaning: Therapeutics therefore consists of measures or operations by way of which concordance of the tissue elements can be sustained and this (achieving concordance of tissue elements) constitutes the duty of the physician. Therapy is administered with the sole objective of ensuring that no discordance prevails in tissue elements and that there is sustenance of continued concordance.

== What is Shuddha chikitsa ==

== What is Shuddha chikitsa ==

प्रयोगः शमयेद्व्याधिं योऽन्यमन्यमुदीरयेत्| नासौ विशुद्धः, शुद्धस्तु शमयेद्यो न कोपयेत्|| (cha. Nidan 8/23) <ref>Charaka Samhita ([http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/ecaraka/?mod=read&h=vishuddha Nidanasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutram 23])</ref>

Ayurveda advocates the use of not just effective but safe measures to eradicate the disease. Thus, in addition to use of the plain term 'chikitsa', another word 'Shuddha chikitsa' can also be found in Ayurveda literature. The concept goes very close to the idea of 'zero side effect therapy'. This means, if any treatment that is employed to combat a disease eliminates that particular diseases but at the same time damages some other parts of body or creates a background for development of some new disease should not be considered the right treatment. Ayurveda has always stressed upon the use of such measures to combat disease that do not cause any advrse untoward effects and therefore Ayurveda treatments are recognised since ages as the safer and natural remedies. The principle behind this nature of Ayurveda treatments lies in the word 'Shuddha chikitsa' which is another example of outstanding intellect and wisdom of ancient Ayurveda scholars.

 

caturṇāṁ bhiṣagādīnāṁ śastānāṁ dhātuvaikr̥tē| pravr̥ttirdhātusāmyārthā cikitsētyabhidhīyatē|

Acharya charaka in Nidanasthanam has defined 'Shuddha Chikitsa' as follows,<blockquote>प्रयोगः शमयेद्व्याधिं योऽन्यमन्यमुदीरयेत्| नासौ विशुद्धः, शुद्धस्तु शमयेद्यो न कोपयेत्|| (Cha. Samh. 8.23) <ref>Charaka Samhita ([http://niimh.nic.in/ebooks/ecaraka/?mod=read&h=vishuddha Nidanasthanam Adhyaya 8 Sutram 23])</ref></blockquote><blockquote>prayogaḥ śamayedvyādhiṁ yo'nyamanyamudīrayet| nāsau viśuddhaḥ, śuddhastu śamayedyo na kopayet||</blockquote>

Employment of all the excellent four – physician etc. – in case of disorder of dhatu with the objective of (re-establishing) their equilibrium is called “Therapeutics”

This is the unique concept in theory of Ayurveda medicine. This concept highlights the critical role of 4 components for being any appropriately administered treatment a success. A Vaidya, Paricharaka, Rogi and Dravyam are those 4 components which when possess all desired qualities, become the 4 pillars of a successful treatment. Their importance is such recognized that, the word 'Chikitsa' is also defined on this basis and these 4 components are called 'Ckikitsa Chatushpadas' i.e. 4 pillars of chikitsa.<blockquote>चतुर्णां भिषगादीनां शस्तानां धातुवैकृते| प्रवृत्तिर्धातुसाम्यार्था चिकित्सेत्यभिधीयते||</blockquote><blockquote>caturṇāṁ bhiṣagādīnāṁ śastānāṁ dhātuvaikr̥tē| pravr̥ttirdhātusāmyārthā cikitsētyabhidhīyatē|</blockquote>Meaning: Employment of all the excellent four – physician etc. – in case of disorder of dhatu with the objective of (re-establishing) their equilibrium is called “Therapeutics”

== Types of chikitsa ==

== Types of chikitsa ==