Kerala Ayurveda & Traditional Medicine: Ashtavaidya, Panchakarma, Medicinal Plants

Kerala’s Ayurvedic tradition is a unique and frequently tested topic in Kerala PSC exams. Questions cover Ashtavaidya families, major institutions, Panchakarma treatments, and medicinal plants of Kerala.

1. Ayurveda — Basics

Fact	Detail
Meaning	Ayur (life) + Veda (knowledge) = Science of Life
Origin text	Atharva Veda (one of the four Vedas)
Father of Ayurveda	Maharshi Charaka
Father of Surgery (Ayurvedic)	Sushruta
Key classical texts	Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya (Vagbhata)
Three Doshas	Vata (air/space), Pitta (fire/water), Kapha (water/earth)
Vagbhata	Author of Ashtanga Hridaya; Kerala Ayurveda primarily follows Vagbhata’s tradition

2. Ashtavaidya Tradition of Kerala

Fact	Detail
Meaning	Ashta (eight) + Vaidya (physician) — Eight families of traditional physicians
Tradition	Hereditary Ayurvedic physicians of Kerala who mastered all eight branches (Ashtanga) of Ayurveda
Based on	Ashtanga Hridaya of Vagbhata
Region	Primarily from present-day Thrissur and Malappuram districts

The Eight Branches of Ayurveda (Ashtanga)

Branch	Deals With
Kaya Chikitsa	Internal medicine
Bala Chikitsa	Paediatrics
Graha Chikitsa	Psychiatry
Urdhvanga Chikitsa	ENT and Ophthalmology
Shalya Chikitsa	Surgery
Damshtra Chikitsa	Toxicology
Jara Chikitsa	Geriatrics / Rejuvenation
Vrisha Chikitsa	Reproductive medicine

Notable Ashtavaidya Families

Family	Location
Vaidyamadom	Thaikkattussery (Thrissur)
Aalathiyoor Nambi	Aalathiyoor (Thrissur)
Elayidath Thaikkattu	Thrissur
Chirattamon	Ollur (Thrissur)
Pulamantol	Kottakkal area
Velluttu Mooss	Thrissur
Thaikattu Mooss	Thrissur
Kuttanchery Mooss	Thrissur

3. Major Ayurvedic Institutions in Kerala

Institution	Location	Established	Key Fact
Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala	Kottakkal, Malappuram	1902	Founded by Vaidyaratnam P.S. Varier; one of the largest Ayurvedic centres in the world
Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (AVP)	Coimbatore (origin Kerala)	1943	Founded by P.V. Rama Varier
Vaidyaratnam Oushadhasala	Ollur, Thrissur	1941	Major manufacturer of Ayurvedic medicines
Government Ayurveda College	Thiruvananthapuram	1889	First Ayurveda College in Kerala; one of the oldest in India
IIISM (Institute of Integrated Study of Indigenous Systems of Medicine)	Kozhikode	—	Under University of Calicut

4. Panchakarma — Five Purification Therapies

Therapy	Method	Purpose
Vamana	Therapeutic emesis (induced vomiting)	Expels excess Kapha; used for asthma, skin diseases
Virechana	Therapeutic purgation	Expels excess Pitta; used for skin disorders, jaundice
Nasya	Nasal administration of medicines	Treats diseases above the clavicle — sinusitis, headache
Basti	Medicated enema	Treats Vata disorders — arthritis, paralysis
Raktamokshana	Bloodletting (therapeutic)	Removes impure blood; used for skin diseases

Other Kerala-Specific Therapies

Therapy	Description
Pizhichil	Warm medicated oil poured continuously over the body
Njavarakizhi	Bolus massage using rice (Njavara) cooked in herbal decoction
Shirodhara	Continuous stream of medicated oil poured on the forehead
Elakizhi	Bolus massage using herbal leaves
Dhara	Pouring medicated liquids on the body

5. Important Medicinal Plants of Kerala

Plant (Local Name)	Scientific Name	Medicinal Use
Tulsi (Holy Basil)	Ocimum sanctum	Respiratory ailments, immunity
Neem (Veppu)	Azadirachta indica	Skin diseases, blood purifier
Turmeric (Manjal)	Curcuma longa	Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic
Ashwagandha (Amukkuram)	Withania somnifera	Stress relief, vitality
Brahmi	Bacopa monnieri	Memory enhancement, nervous system
Amla (Nellika)	Emblica officinalis	Vitamin C source, digestive health
Aloe Vera (Kumari)	Aloe barbadensis	Skin care, digestive aid
Njavara rice	Oryza sativa (special variety)	Used in Njavarakizhi therapy; unique to Kerala
Koduveli	Plumbago indica	Digestive disorders
Kacholam	Kaempferia galanga	Respiratory ailments, pain relief

6. Government Initiatives for Ayurveda in Kerala

Initiative	Detail
Ayush Department	State government department for Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy
Kerala Ayurveda tourism	Major medical tourism destination; monsoon season (June-August) considered best for Panchakarma
National AYUSH Mission (NAM)	Central government initiative for promoting traditional medicine
Pharmacopoeia Laboratory, Ghaziabad	Standardisation of Ayurvedic drugs
GI tag for Ayurvedic products	Efforts to protect traditional Kerala formulations

7. PSC Quick Revision — One-Liners

• Father of Ayurveda: Charaka; Father of Surgery: Sushruta
• Kerala Ayurveda follows Vagbhata’s Ashtanga Hridaya tradition
• Ashtavaidya = 8 families of traditional physicians in Kerala
• Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala founded by P.S. Varier in 1902
• Panchakarma has 5 therapies: Vamana, Virechana, Nasya, Basti, Raktamokshana
• Government Ayurveda College, Thiruvananthapuram — one of the oldest in India (1889)
• Three Doshas: Vata, Pitta, Kapha
• Njavara rice is unique to Kerala, used in Njavarakizhi therapy
• Monsoon season is considered ideal for Ayurvedic treatments in Kerala