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Ayurveda is the oldest and most holistic medicine in the world. Its teachings and practices were documented over 5,000 years ago in India, despite having a history that spans longer than what was documented.
Ayurveda has been referred to a holistic medicine that deals with both body and the spirit. In fact, ayurveda is more like a lifestyle and covers all aspects of health including nutrition and amazingly, surgery.
The main aim of Ayurveda is prevention. Ancient text tells us that humans should be able to live to be about 100 years old and that one can live to a ripe old age in good health, both physically and mentally. Ayurveda does not accept that getting old equals a failing health and a poor quality of life. Although these texts have been written several thousand years ago, Ayurvedic principles remain very much applicable even in today’s environment. It is possible for anyone to introduce Ayurvedic principles into their life. There are plenty of benefits that can be derived from doing so.
Ayurvedic practitioners will often strive to find health issues which may just be in their early stages and try to deal with them before they get more serious. In all, Ayurveda seeks to take a preventative stance when it comes to diseases, both physical and mental.
Because the the philosophy behind Ayurveda holistic medicine can be quite complex, it can take practitioners several years to understand and master this form of holistic healing.
However, I will attempt to give a brief explanation here on basic Ayurvedic principles, as provided by a practitioner friend of mind.
Through the years, Ayurvedic healing came up with three classifications or "doshas" which are said to govern all bodily processes. The 3 main doshas are Vata (air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (water). A person’s constitution type is dependent on
whichever dosha that appears to be dominant. Each constitution type has particular strengths and susceptibilities.
Pita (fire) determines how you digest food, your metabolization of sensory perceptions and your emotions. Too much Pitta can lead to anger, criticism, acidity, ulcers, rashes and thinning hair. On the other hand, too much vata leads to worries, insomnia and constipation. Vata controls blood flow, waste elimination and your breathing. Someone with too much Kapha gains weight easily. Too much Kapah also leads to lethargy, congestion and allergies.
For an ayurvedic diagnosis, therefore, patients are classified by their body types which are determined by the proportions of the three doshas. When the doshas are not in balance, illness and disease results. Ayurvedic treatments are aimed at restoring harmony or balance to the mind-body system.
In Ayurveda, natural remedies are often used as treatments. For instance, herbal preparations may be prescribed. Often, an Ayurvedic doctor will advise a diet change as well. There is also a great focus on stress relaxation and Ayurveda can involve some deep relaxing massage techniques.
Today, there is rising interest in the area of Ayurveda holistic medicine by the western world. For instance, the neem plant which has been used for ayurvedic medicine for so many thousands of years, have been encapsulated after research and testing. Neem plant extracts are used for eczema, liver cleansing and other skin disease problems.
The rising interest by western doctors can only mean good news for us all. With more widespread awareness of ayurvedic herbs, people seeking treatment will find out that there are plenty of alternatives to conventional medicine. More choices and more analysis and information are privy to making informed health decisions for you and your family.
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