KAYACHIKITSA

Kayachikitsa (कायचिकित्सा) is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda, the traditional system of medicine from India. The term comes from Sanskrit:

  • Kaya (काय) = body

  • Chikitsa (चिकित्सा) = treatment or therapy

What is Kayachikitsa?

Kayachikitsa refers to the internal medicine branch of Ayurveda. It deals with the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of physical and psychological diseases affecting the body (kaya), especially those caused by imbalances in the doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

Key Features of Kayachikitsa:

  1. Focus on Root Cause:

    • Treats the root of the disease, not just the symptoms.

    • Balances the three doshas through personalized therapies.

  2. Emphasis on Agni (Digestive Fire):

    • Kayachikitsa often begins with correcting digestion and metabolism.

    • Agni is considered essential for health; many diseases arise from its dysfunction.

  3. Personalized Treatments:

    • Treatments vary based on the patient’s prakriti (constitution), vikriti (current imbalance), lifestyle, and other factors.

  4. Treatment Methods Include:

    • Shamana Chikitsa – Palliative treatment using herbs, diet, lifestyle changes.

    • Shodhana Chikitsa – Detoxification through Panchakarma (five purificatory therapies).

    • Rasayana Therapy – Rejuvenation and anti-aging treatments.

    • Satvavajaya Chikitsa – Mental health therapies (mind control, counseling, etc.).

Diseases Treated in Kayachikitsa:

  • Digestive disorders (e.g., acidity, constipation)

  • Respiratory issues (e.g., asthma, bronchitis)

  • Metabolic disorders (e.g., diabetes)

  • Neurological conditions (e.g., paralysis)

  • Skin diseases (e.g., eczema, psoriasis)

  • Psychological conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression)

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