Ayurvedic Medicine and Traditional Medicine
Ayurveda is a discipline aimed at promoting longevity and good health that has its roots in the concept of God. The system, which is believed to have originated in North India, was passed down by sages, and written records exist from the likes of Sage Agnivesha, as well as Charaka, Shushruta, and Vagbhata. Ayurveda is mentioned in Vedic texts such as Srug and Chatur, which describe Charaka’s involvement with the surgical department and Shushrutha’s with the disease department. Ayurveda is an eight-part system that includes physical therapy, surgery, school therapy, Kumara therapy (the nurturing of infants and treatment of any diseases they may develop), Agada tantra, poison therapy, exorcism, chemistry, and vajikiana tantra. Ayurvedic treatments are often based on plant and tree-based remedies, and Ayurvedic books that include astrology and mysticism are recognized globally.
Sri Lankan medicine, also known as Sinhala medicine, Hela medicine, traditional local therapy, and traditional medicine, is unique to Sri Lanka and has been thought to have descended from the Sage Pulasti and Ravana. Although there is no archaeological evidence, Ravana’s written works support this claim. Hela medicine is passed down by word of mouth and includes prescription drugs without scientific explanations or cures. In contrast, Ayurveda describes each disease specifically and provides detailed explanations from the source of the disease to the treatment. However, Sri Lankan medicine also incorporates Ayurvedic concepts, including the three doshas (Va, Pith, Sem, Sapta Dhatu) and Pancha Maha Bhutas (Apo, Tejo, Vayo, Patavi, Akash).
The Department of Ayurveda considers Hela medicine to be a branch of Ayurveda, although there are medicines specific to each generation. Traditional medicine is established by passing down knowledge from father to son, and its unique methods include special rituals that are not found in Ayurveda. However, many of the old books on traditional medicine have been destroyed or taken away by the British, and some individuals misuse Hela medicine, misleading the public. There are various types of Hela Veda generations, with each mastering a particular type of medicine, such as fracture medicine, poison medicine, wound medicine, burn medicine, or tumor medicine.
