The Past
Indian medicine (Ayurveda)
Caption: Vishnu, a god in Hinduism whose alternate form Dhanvantari is the god of Ayurveda.
An ayurvedic massage
India has one of the oldest civilizations on earth, which is more than 5000 years ago. As a result, it also has a long medical history. The ancient Indians used vegetable, animal, and earth as drugs to cure diseases. What is more interesting about Indian medicine is not how the cure the disease, but how the use medicine to lead to a long life. It also helps to prevent diseases and ailment by using a variety of things, like food, aroma, yoga, lifestyle, etc. By the 12th century, a book called Susruta Samhita was written. It explained many advances surgery that India had developed, which included reconstruction of injured facial part, lithotomy, removal of dead fetus, etc. As you can tell from its advanced surgery, they also had a well understanding of anatomy.