How people of India in ancient times coped with the diseases?

In India, there were many systems followed in the name of folk or traditional medicines. These are mainly Ayurveda and Siddha. Ayurveda was followed all over India whereas Sidhha specifically was practiced in Tamil Nadu, the South part of great India. Ayurveda is believed to be related to Bhagwan Dhanvantari and Narayan Vishnu the God of Nourishment whereas the Siddha is come into existence through Bhagwan Shiva and then followed by Agastya and other 18 Sddhar. 

Both systems of medicines were in the fame due to their curing methods and uprooting the disease from the body of a patient. But, at those times the Tibetian and Unani medicines were also being practiced in some localized areas in India but the Tibetian medicines got famed in China and Unani medicine in the Greek. The main systems are the Ayurveda and Siddha practiced in India in ancient times. 

Those time might civilization was in the mode of establishment and at the time majority of the population was residing in the jungle. but some of the people come into the community and resided together as villagers and in such a way infectious diseases such as influenza, measles, polio, tuberculosis, dysentery, malaria, typhoid, and leprosy were very common finally the “big two” infectious diseases epidemics namely smallpox and plague; decimated the ancient world. The communicable disease was being treated by separating the patient from the community and providing treatment by maintaining a particular distance in order to avoid spreading. 

The jwara (fever) was being treated by using many types of plant fresh roots and barks, body pain and impotency were treated with ashwagandha roots, and high blood pressure by the powder of sarpagandha. Root bark and stem bark of many plants were taken in utility for treating many types of life-threatening diseases. The lepa prepared by leaves, fruit rind, bark, etc, were taken to heal wounds. 

The doctors were famous in the name of Vaidyas and Siddhar for the system of Ayurveda and Siddha respectively. They were being trained by Rishi and Munis in their Gurukulam and totally sacrificing their lives for the welfare of humankind. 

Vaidya Sushain was the best example in the war between Shri Rama and Ravna when in the war Shri Laxmana was being saved by the Sanjeevani brought y Lord Hanuman Ji with the consultancy of vaidya Sushain.