Basics of Ayurveda

Ayurveda has divided into main eight branches:

1. Kaya Chikitsa - Deals with Internal Medicine
2. Shalya Tantra - Deals with Surgery
3. Shlakya Tanta - Treatment of Ear, Nose & Throat
4. Graha Roga Tantra - Deals with Mental illness (Psychiatry)
5. Komar Bhritya Bal Roga - Gynecology & Pediatrics
6. Agad Tantra - Toxicology
7. Rasayan - Science of Rejuvanation
8. Vajikaran Chikitsa - Science of Aphrodisiacs 


Bruhat Trayi: Great Trio of Ayurveda
Charak Samhita

• Oldest ancient text on Ayurveda
  
• Written by Acharya Charak around 400 CE
  
• Acharya Charak is regarded as father of medicine
  
• He explained the eight branches of Ayurveda and Panchakarma

Sushrut Samhita

• Written by Acharya Sushrut
  
• Acharya Sushrut is the father of surgery
  
• He explained detailed human anatomy and various surgeries including but not limited to plastic surgery Acharya Sushruta has followed Dhavantari sampradaya i.e. school of surgeons

Ashtang Hridaya

• Written by Acharya Vagbhata around 6th century CE
  
• Combination of both Charak Samhita and Sushrut Samhita

Laghu Trayi: Minor Trio of Ayurveda
Madhavnidan

• Written by Acharya Madhav, around 7th-8th century AD
  
• Compilation of Roga Vinishchaya (diagnosis)
  

Sharangdhar Samhita

• Written by Acharya Sharangdhara around 1226 AD
  
• Described various prescriptions, formulation of herbs and mineral pitch 
  

Bhavprakash Samhita

• Written by Acharya Bhavmisra around 1558 AD
  
• Described old as well as new diseases in his book
  

These are all excellent, highly respected and widely used sources of Ayurvedic knowledge.