Ashtavaidyas the traditional physicians of Kerala, are so called for
they are supposed to be prominent in the eight branches of Ayurvedic system of
medicine. They are supposed to belong to the legion of disciples of
Vagbhata acarya.who was one of the great three scholars of Ayurveda,the other
two being Caraka and Susrutha. Contrary to popular belief the Ashtavaidyas do
not belong to eight families, they are 18 in number as a matter of fact. It is
likely that the word Ashtangavaidya was commutted to Ashtavaidya in course of
time.
In early times Ashtavaidyas were not allowed to enter in to matrimonial alliance from Nambudiri families. More over like Nambudiri's only eldest male member of the family was allowed to marry from the same community. For want of male members in the family many families had to merge with others or adopt male members from other families.this has left only 5 families practising ayurveda which are given below with underline.
1. Aalathiyoor Nambi
2. Akalaanath Mooss
3. Chirattamon Mooss
4. Choondal Mooss
5. Eledath Thaikkatt Mooss
6. Kaarathol Nambi
7. Kuriyedath Mooss
8. Kurumbempilly Mooss
9. Kuttancheri Mooss
10. Paduthol Mooss
11. Parappur Mooss
12. Pazhanellippurath Thaikkatt Mooss
13. Peringavu Mooss
14. Pulamanthol Mooss
15. Ubhayur Mooss
16. Vatuthala Mooss
17. Vayaskara Mooss
18. Velladu Mooss
Among Ashtavaidyas except Aalathiyoor Nambi,Karathol Nambi all other are called
as Moosses. Ashtavaidyas was accorded a station, slightly inferior to
Nambudiries as they had examine dead bodies, perform surgical measures and
follow Buddist treatises (Vagbhata is believed to be a Buddhist).This prevented
them from entering Yagasalas (The place where Yagyas are performed). The
physician who stood in during the yagas was Vaidyamadhom who served as the
physician during all yagas of Agnihothri.
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