Additional information
by Vaidya Atreya Smith (Author)
The majority of books on herbal medicine teach students about individual plants and the disorders they help to correct. The problem with this approach is that people end up using the herbs symptomatically. This textbook teaches about real life problems and which herbs, or combination of herbs, could be used to stop the pathology associated with it. This is done by stopping Dosha Vriddhi (Dosha accumulation) in the Mulasthana (primary location), the Dhatus (tissues) and the Srotamsi (channels). If Dosha pathology is removed the disorders disappear. Ayurveda uses this approach in herbal treatments. This textbook on the "Application of Ayurvedic Treatments Throughout Life" begins with conception and ends with treatments for old age. This volume starts off with a short revision of Dravyaguna, then more information on how to use different herbal preparations. This leads to the foundational treatments of the digestive system and metabolic disorders. Next the subjects of pregnancy, embryology, pediatrics, gynecology, menopause, men's health, Rasayana therapies for the elderly and Vajikarana or fertility therapies are explained with treatment protocols. This is followed by a number of disorders according to Dhatu, or location. Finally, there are 21 new herbal monographs that have been used in this volume in the treatment of various disorders. In addition to these monographs there are new formulas scattered throughout the text when and where as needed.
Author Biography
Vaidya Atreya Smith is the author of fourteen books published in nine different languages on the art of Indian medicine and healing. Since 1998 he directs the European Institute of Vedic Studies, Switzerland. Atreya began to meditate at the age of 17 and moved into an ashram at the age of 25. Passionate about Vedanta he was a member of the American Vedanta Society at the age of 19 until he moved to India in 1987 to study Vedanta and Ayurveda in depth. From 1987 he has studied with a number of Indian professors of Ayurveda in India. He continues his studies on Ayurveda with his teachers in India. He has a BSc in Biology and in 2005 was awarded the title of 'Vaidya' in Varanasi for his work in Ayurveda. Atreya has been a professional in health care since 1987 and has worked with thousands of patients in countries all over the world. He is a professional herbalist and the member of several professional organizations. Atreya is the author of a series of textbooks for Western students of Ayurveda called 'Ayurvedic Medicine for Westerners' in 5 volumes. He is one of the most sought after teachers of Ayurveda in Europe. Atreya and his Institute are affiliated with a number of universities and institutes throughout the world for the promotion of Ayurveda and other Indian sciences. He currently lives in Switzerland near Lake Geneva.
