Treatment of diseases in the Atharvaveda: an observation

A high quality of Medical Knowledge was prevalent in Vedic society. An analysis of the material in the Vedas reveals that, all the four Vedas viz., Rgveda, Yajurveda, Sāmaveda, and Atharvaveda provide the references regarding. various aspects of medicine. The Atharvaveda gives more information regarding medial science than the other three Vedas. It is also known as ‘Bhaisajyaveda’. It gives information regarding plants, minerals and animal products with their usage for medical purposes. For example, ‘Apamárga’, a plant is useful for cough, piles, itching and abdominal pain, whereas ‘Lavana’ is useful for pimples; and ‘Mriga Shringa’ is useful for pulmonary consumption and other chronic diseases etc. Āyurveda (the science of life) is considered as Upaveda (supplementary subject) of the Atharvaveda. The Atharvaveda represents the charm system of the Āyurveda fo the Vedic age. The refrain of Atharvaveda is that, charms and amulets are more efficacious than herbs and medicine. Kaāyacikitsa(general medicine) is one of the eight branches of Ayurveda, which has exhaustive mention in the Atharvaveda and helps to establish the continuity of medical tradition in the Vedic period.

A few glimpses of medical Science as prevalent in the Atharvaveda have been presented here.