Ayurveda-Forums.Org

[taylor]

Can you help me to understand what are the differences between Ayurveda and Chinese medicine? They are both based on herb treatments and massages? what about acupunture? yoga?

[addison]

The pulse analysis is somewhat different, the meridians also are overall similar yet vary slightly, the herbs are different, but the concept of energy medicine unites them both. The elements are different and Ayurveda focuses on deities more prominenetly.

[benjamin]

Can you help me to understand what are the differences between Ayurveda and Chinese medicine? They are both based on herb treatments and massages? what about acupunture? yoga?

Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine originated in China at least 3,000 years ago. Although archeological evidence of medicinal herbs and acupuncture needles dates back to about 5,000 BCE, the earliest known herbal formularies date back to the Qin and Han Dynasties (3rd Century BCE to 3rd Century CE).

Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis looks for "patterns of disharmony" or imbalances rather than treating specific diseases. Traditional Chinese Medicine treatments for restoring balance and harmony usually involve the prescribing of herbal tea decoctions, acupuncture, specific diet counseling, massage, and other therapies including cupping, moxibustion, exercise (tai chi and qi gong) and meditation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine herbal formulas are organized according to a complex hierarchy including Chief, Deputy, Assistant and Envoy herbs: Chief: Herbs directed against the main pattern of disharmony; Deputy: Herbs with two functions: (1) aid the Chief herb(s) in treating the principle pattern, and (2) serve as a main herb directed against a coexisting pattern; Assistant: Herbs with three functions: (1) reinforce the effect of the Chief and Deputy herbs, and (2) mitigate side effects of the Chief or Deputy herbs, or (3) have an effect that is opposite that of the Chief herb; Envoy: Herbs with two functions: (1) focus the actions of the formula on a certain channel or area of the body, and (2) harmonize and integrate the actions of the other herbs.

Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine
Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine originated in India around 5000 BCE with the publications of "Rigveda" and "Atharvaveda" (two ancient books on Indian knowledge, wisdom, culture and science) that contain hymns on diseases and their herbal treatments. The first comprehensive textbooks on Ayurvedic Medicine, the "Charaka Samhita" and 'Sushruta Samhita' were later published around 1000 BCE.

The term Ayurveda means "Science of Life", a medical science wherein health is achieved through a blending of physical, mental, social, moral and spiritual welfare. In Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine, health or sickness depend on the presence or absence of a balanced state of the total body matrix including the balance between body, mind and spirit. Ayurvedic treatments for restoring the balance of disturbed body-mind matrix usually involve the prescribing of herbal medicines, specific diet and physical activity routines, among other therapies including massage and various purification treatments.

From http://www.traditionalmedicinals.com