An introduction to Ayurveda
An alternative system of medicine, Ayurveda uses a combination of herbal medicines, specialised diets and massage to treat the root cause of a disease, and restore balance inside the body.
Origins of Ayurveda
Ayurveda as we all know had its origin in India. One of the oldest medical systems in the world, it is categorised as an alternative therapy. This system of medicine is a combination of herbal medicines, specialised diets and massage.
The term Ayurveda is derived from two Sanskrit words ‘ayur’, meaning life and ‘veda’, meaning science. Thus Ayurveda means ‘the science of life’.
Ayurveda expert Dr Amogh Deshpande says, “Ayurveda aims to treat the root cause of the disease.” To achieve this, this system of medicine works in rebalancing the body. Ayurveda, stresses Dr Deshpande, works in attune with nature. For instance, Ayurveda prescribes eating in accordance with the season.
Key insights into Ayurveda
Ayurvedic medicine aims to integrate and bring about equilibrium in the body, mind and spirit. Inner balance and harmony is believed to prevent illness and promote overall wellness.
This ancient system of medicine uses many techniques to cleanse the body and reinstating balance in the body, mind and spirit. Also note, if these techniques and medicines aren’t used as directed by the practitioner it can have side effects. Which is why — your diet, everyday routine and all — play an important role when you’re taking Ayurvedic medicine.
“It is believed that Lord Dhanawantri (the primordial God of health in ancient India) is the creator of Ayurveda,” says Dr Deshpande. “Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Wagbhata Samhita are the three main texts of Ayurveda.”
The vast information in these texts is divided into eight branches.
Internal medicine
Surgery
Treatment of head and neck disease
Gynaecology, obstetrics, and paediatrics
Toxicology
Psychiatry
Care of the elderly and rejuvenation
Sexual vitality
Fundamental concepts of Ayurveda
Ayurvedic medicine rests on the premise of universal interconnectedness, its treatment is tailored as per an individual’s body constitution, referred to as prakriti in Ayurveda and life forces, called doshas.
Body constitution (prakriti)
Ayurveda has its own take on the body’s constitution. Body constitution refers to an individual’s general health, likelihood of the body going out of balance and an individual’s ability to fight infections and recover from health ailments.
It refers to each individual’s physical and psychological aspects and the way his/her body functions to maintain health. It is believed that an individual’s prakriti remains unchanged in a lifetime.
Life forces (doshas)
Life forces or energy (doshas) are aspects of an individual’s body constitution that control the body’s activities. Ayurveda categorises body types into three doshas: vata, pitta and kapha.
Each dosha is made up of two of five basic elements: ether, air, fire, water and earth.
Each dosha has a specific relationship with the body’s functions and can be out of sync due to several reasons.
Each individual has a unique combination of these three doshas, although one is likely to be dominant. Doshas are continuously being altered by food, activity and body functions.
An imbalance of dosha will produce symptoms specific to that particular dosha. This imbalance can be a result of unhealthy lifestyle, diet, levels of mental and physical exertion, seasons, an individual’s age.
The three doshas in Ayurveda:
Vata dosha: This one combines elements of ether and air. It is considered to be the most powerful dosha and controls fundamental body processes like cell division, breathing, waste discharge, the heart and mind. In people with ‘vata’ as the dominant dosha are known to be particularly vulnerable to skin conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, anxiety, insomnia and neurological conditions.
Pitta dosha: This one is a combination of fire and water and controls hormones and the digestive system. People with a dominant pitta constitution are known to be susceptible to hypertension, heart disease, digestive problems and infectious diseases.
Kapha dosha: This one represents the elements of water and earth. This dosha helps maintain immunity and controls growth. Those with kapha as a dominant dosha are known to be susceptible to diabetes, respiratory illnesses like asthma, cancer and obesity.
Photograph via sxc.hu
You may also like:
