Historical Ayurvedic textbook. A textbook on traditional Indian medicine (known as Ayurvedism). This book is Sanskrit, the Hindu text, written on bamboo wood or palm leaves. Ayurvedism dates back to about 1500 BC and is based on empirical observations of diseases and their treatments. This is in contrast to the Chinese medical tradition which is based on philosophy. Ayurvedic treatments are usually herbal remedies for disease and illness, although the use of surgical techniques has been noted in the past. Herbal remedies are produced using parts of various plants in the form of herbal oils & preparations. Photographed in Hyderabad, India.