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AYUSCRIPT

ISSN: 2583-3677
Abstract

Ayurvedic Emergency First Response: Insights from Classical Texts

Abstract

Emergency care in Ayurveda is embedded within various classical branches including Agadtantra, Shalyatantra, and Kayachikitsa. Classical Ayurvedic texts describe immediate life-saving interventions for poisoning, trauma, burns, hemorrhage, fractures, and acute systemic disorders. To explore and analyze emergency first-response measures described in classical Ayurvedic texts and evaluate their relevance in contemporary emergency care. A narrative review was conducted using primary classical Ayurvedic texts including Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Hridaya, and other authoritative commentaries. Secondary literature from indexed journals and WHO publications was reviewed for comparative analysis. Data were thematically organized into types of emergencies and corresponding first-response measures. Classical texts describe structured emergency responses such as Bandhana (immobilization), Raktastambhana (hemostasis), Agnikarma (cauterization), Vamana (therapeutic emesis), Vishaghna Agada (antidotes), Vrana Prakshalana (wound irrigation), and Pranaraksha measures. Many principles parallel modern first aid, including airway management, bleeding control, detoxification, immobilization, and supportive care. Ayurvedic classical literature contains well-defined emergency first-response principles emphasizing rapid assessment, immediate intervention, and holistic stabilization. These insights offer potential integrative applications, particularly in rural and resource-limited settings.

KEYWORDS:  Ayurveda, First Aid, Emergency Care, Agadtantra, Sushruta, Classical Texts