Medical Treatment Systems in India

The different methods and practices used to diagnose, treat, and manage diseases are all included in medical treatment systems. Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Yoga, Naturopathy, and Homeopathy are the various indigenous medicine treatment systems practiced in India.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the oldest and one of the most widely used medical system in india. Like many other medical systems, Ayurveda also pioneered scientific surgery. Sushruta, an Ayurvedic scholar who lived in India about 2600 years ago, was the first to perform scientific surgery. He treated and cured body parts including the eyes through scientific surgery. It is estimated that 121 different types of surgical instruments were used by Ayurvedic scholars in India during Sushruta's time. Ayurveda considers the god Dhanvantari to be the father of surgery. Ayurveda describes Sushruta as the 'father of plastic surgery'. The book 'Sushruta Samhita' written by him is one of the basic texts of Ayurveda. While Atreya is considered a foundational figure in the development of Ayurveda, he is not generally referred to as father of Ayurveda, a title more commonly attributed to Charaka. The veda related to Ayurveda is Atharvaveda.

Homoeopathy 

The birth of Homoeopathy was a major milestone in medicine in the early 19th century. The basis of this treatment method is the studies of the German doctor Samuel Hahnemann. He started Homoeopathy by publishing his studies in 1811. Samuel Hahnemann discovered medicines by experimenting on his own body. In 1812, when Typhoid broke out in Paris, Hahnemann's medicine was found to be effective. Thus, Homoeopathy began to gain great popularity. Today, this treatment method is available all over the world. About 40 percent of Homoeopathy medicines are made from plants. Samuel Hahnemann is considered as the father of Homoeopathy.

Siddha Medicine

Siddha medicine is an ancient traditional healing system originating in South India. It is regarded as one of India's oldest medical systems and emphasizes a comprehensive approach to health and wellbeing that takes into account social, psychological, spiritual, and physical factors. Agasthiyar is referred to as father of Siddha Medicine.

Allopathy

Literally, the use of drugs or other means to induce a reaction in the body that will counter act and therefore relieve - the symptoms of a disease. The term is used by practitioners of homeopathy to describe the orthodox system of medicine. They are also called as english medicines. Common allopathic treatments include antibiotics, vaccinations, surgery and chemotherapy. Hippocrates is considered as the father of Allopathy or Modern Medicine.

Yoga

Yoga is a term that has two meanings. It is both (1) a school of thought in the Hindu religion and (2) a system of mental and physical exercise developed by that school. Followers of the yoga school, who are called yogis or yogins, use yoga exercise to achieve their goal of isolation of the soul from the body and mind. The word yoga means discipline in Sanskrit, the classical language of india. According to the yoga school, every human being consists of Prakriti and Purusha. Prakriti includes a person's body, mind and ego. Purusha is pure, empty consciousness - the soul.