Ashtavaidya refers to the eight families of Nambudiri
Brahmins who specialize in Ayurveda in Kerala. Ashtavaidyan are eight main
branches of Ayurveda in Kerala.
Ashtavaidya In Kerala
- Vayaskara Musu at Kottayam
- Chirattamannu Mussu, originally belong to Andippuram, but now Chertala
- Taikkattu Mussu at Thrissur
- Thaikkattu Mussu of Elayidam Ollur
- Vellattu Mussu near Cherthala, formerly at Chalakudy
- Pulamantol Mussu
- Alathur Nambi now at Chundal near Kunnamkulam
- Vaidyamadham at Kumaranalloor
The term ashta (eight) in the word ashta vaidya refers to
the eight branches of the discipline and also probably to the eight families
practicing Ayurveda.
These Brahmins, who specialized in Ayurveda, were required
to study Ashtanga Hridaya, a work by Vagbhata and interact with numerous
patients with varied ailments. They treated people from all walks of the
society.
These Brahmins had very little time for a secluded religious
life or for rituals. Hence they were exempted from the study of the Vedas.
Thus, they were known as those without Vedic knowledge (ottillattavar).
Among these Ashta Vaidyas, only Vaidyamadham had the privilege
of studying the Vedas, to enter the hall of fire rituals (Yagashala) and treat
even the performer of yajnas (yajamana).
Members of the Alathur Vaidya family are referred to by the
term Nambi. Others are called Mussu.
The Ashtavaidya families had Dhanvantari, Shasta and
Vettakkorumakan as their family deities.
Since some of the members of the ashtavaidya families
married non-brahmin women of Variyar and other communities, the tradition of
Ayurvedic studies in Kerala was continued by these communities too.
Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala and Coimbatore Arya Vaidya Sala
were started and developed by physicians belonging to the Variyar community.
Source - Encyclopedia of Hinduism - Volume 1 - page 491