Dr. Firdouse Iqbal Changampally Vaidya Bhavan
Changampally Gurukkal Family is considered as one of the oldest and renowned Ayurveda practitioners specialized in Asthi marma chikilsa (treatment based on vital points of the body and that of bone). Their ancestors were Tulu Brahmins. Centuries back Cheraman Perumal, the king of ancient Kerala hearing about their prowess in Kalarippayattu, the marital art of Kerala, brought them from Tulunadu for performing Kalarippayattu at the legendary Mamankam held at Thirunavaya.
Kerala Ayurveda
Ayurvedic practice which is popular in Kerala is based on one text called Ashtanga Hridayam by Vagbhata.Acharya Vagbhata redacted the whole system of Ayurveda revising the entire Ayurvedic literature in a single text , first as Ashtanga Sangraha, which was condensed with some revision as Ashtanga Hridayam.( Ashtanga- eight branches, Hridayam means heart or the essence).
Masters of Ayurveda
Dhanvantari is said to be one of the fourteen symbols which appeared when all the gods and demons churned the milky ocean to extract the ‘elixir of immortality’ (amrita). He is regarded as a part of Vishnu, the maintainer of the Universe, and a disciple of Siva, the conqueror of the king of death. The name of Dhanvantari does not appear in the Vedas.He was the God of Classical Indian medicine.
Principles of Ayurveda
Ayurveda was revealed to the sages of India thousands of years ago. Ayurveda is the science of life or science of longevity, which promises better health, prevents diseases and helps in achieving a long life. According to Ayurveda, all activities in the universe and in man are grouped into three basic functions creation, organization and destruction.