Sexually Transmitted Diseases in Ayurveda

Abstract

Sexually transmitted diseases (STD) have been reported since the ancient times with their description dating back to the time of Sushruta and Charaka. Though there has been a description of various diseases in Charaka Samhita with similar symptoms to the infection of Trichomonas and Chlamydia, but a clear reference to their sexual mode of transmission is not available. The diagnosis in Ayurvedic texts is made clinically, based on the symptoms. Despite of the vivid description of sexually transmitted diseases in the ancient Ayurvedic texts, it is difficult to identify their exact modern counterparts on the basis of these texts. The two most commonly talked about STD in various ayurvedic texts are firang and updansha. This article provides an overview on the evolution of STDs, their nomenclature in different eras and Ayurvedic treatment as an alternative system of medicine.