Ayurveda

The ancient art of natural healing began in India more than 5,000 years back and has been practiced ever since. Ayurveda brings about physical and emotional health and wellness to millions of people around the world. Incorporating its proven methods into your daily practices can bring about radical changes in your mental and physical well-being. Ayurvedic healing practices can restore balance and harmony and improve health and longevity, something which even conventional Western medical studies have failed.

Ayurveda not only offsets uncomfortable symptoms but addresses and extinguishes the deeper causes of suffering through

• Diet and nutritional change
• Herb and plant extracts
• Lifestyle adjustments
• Yoga and other bodywork
• Sound and light therapies
•  Alternate gentle natural approaches

The goal of Ayurveda is to prevent diseases, detoxify the body, and address challenges before they have a devastating effect on the body. Ayurveda heals deeply and instills physical, psychological, and spiritual health in the body. 

The word Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit words Ayur, which is life, and Veda which is science. Translated, it means the science of life. Ayurveda is a collection of the wisdom of healing from many sages and healers and is relevant even in today’s world.

Ayurveda is the science of preventative living through the application of accrued wisdom. According to Ayurveda, diseases arise due to improper food and regimens, which results in an imbalance of the tri-doshas- Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Both physical and mental ailments were attributed to these doshas, and cures consisted of rituals, medicines, and surgical interventions. According to Ashtanga Hridaya, everything in the universe can be used as medicine by transforming it into a definite form to render it fit for medicinal purposes.

‍

The emergence of Ayurveda 

The tribal and wandering healers learned physicians, ascetic and yogic traditions in the Indo-Gangetic and lower Himalayan regions, and philosophical schools such as Samkhya, Visheshika, and Nyaya collectively contributed to the emergence of a formal scientific culture of healing known as Ayurveda.

The earliest works on Ayurveda dealt with the fundamental concepts and practices of Ayurvedic healing which has continued even today. Ayurveda has been elaborated and refined over centuries The earliest available works are Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Bhela Samhita, and Kashyapa Samhita. These works consisted of medical practices and define principles, therapeutic methods, and moral guidelines for medical practitioners and set the norms for the future of Ayurveda. Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita talk about physicians seeking the help of cowherds, hunters, and forest dwellers for procuring medicinal plants. Charaka Samhita also included the contribution of Central Asian physicians and scholars gathered to formulate the principles of Ayurveda. 

The trade and exchange of medicinal plants and the knowledge of their uses have carried on for centuries, to and fro from the Indian subcontinent, West Asia, and the Indian Ocean world. From the first millennium C.E., physicians migrated from Persia and other neighboring regions and brought their healing practices to the Indian subcontinent. These exotic practices also influenced local healers and Ayurvedic practitioners.

‍

AYURVEDIC PRACTICES

Ayurveda considers bodily constitution, pathological history, the Dosha characteristics, lifestyle, and environmental conditions of the individual. The canonical texts of Ayurveda provide abundant medical know-how in the Indian subcontinent. During ancient times healing was practiced by people from all levels of society and had intimate relations with their environment. The practices ranged from home remedies related to nutrition and treatment for illnesses to more sophisticated procedures like midwifery, bone setting, treatment of snake bites, and mental disorders. These medical folk practices had their particular folklore that preserved and transmitted knowledge. Some healing practices considered to be sacred were associated with rituals to safeguard them. 

Here is an interesting fact – In the folk traditions, there was considerable overlap between healing plants and sacred plants. Certain healing plants were considered sacred and were venerated.

Traditionally Sanskrit-based Ayurvedic practices were limited to folk healers from all levels of society. Folk practitioners from the lower strata of society were considered to lack a scholarly aura. But in reality, many of them specialized in specific healing practices are held in high esteem. For example, Ashtavaidyas used to seek the help of folk healers in pediatric care, poison therapy, and even mental diseases.

Ancient tribal medical traditions came from populations historically relying on their forest environment for healthcare. Tribal medicines have made invaluable contributions to traditional medical practices. Region-specific medical practices of classical and folk medical traditions owe a great deal to the tribal healers.

Modern-day Ayurveda has been enriched over centuries through interactions and exchanges with regional folk and tribal medical practices.

‍

Ayurvedic treatments

Ayurvedic therapy is administered as a combination of herbal concoctions along with lifestyle changes to help balance the three principal energies – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These principle doshas are present in every individual at varying strengths and magnitudes. There is usually one dosha that can be predominant in the overall constitution of the individual. This is known as Prakriti.

According to Ayurveda, physical issues arise when doshas become vitiated. This can be due to an external or an internal stimulus linked to eating habits, physical exercise, or your sleep pattern.

Good Ayurvedic treatment ensures that all three doshas are balanced in the body. The duration and method of treatment for every individual vary depending on the Prakriti and the inherent constitution of the individual.

Ayurvedic treatments harness the power of nature and the body’s inherent qualities to heal itself, contrary to the modern medicine system which provides relief for just the symptoms. Ayurvedic treatments need to be performed in a certified Ayurveda center under the supervision of certified practitioners and nurses. Even oral medications need to be ingested only after seeking the advice of your Ayurveda practitioner to avoid side effects and poor results.

‍

Diagnosis

The common techniques for diagnosing an illness in Ayurvedic are Naadi Pariksha and Ashtavidha Pariksha. Naadi Pariksha is checking the pulse and Ashtavidha Pariksha is an elaborate method that involves checking the pulse, urine, feces, tongue, voice, skin, eyes, and overall body in general. A well-trained Ayurveda practitioner can determine any underlying condition through these methods. The above parikshas provide a clear picture of the individual’s basic physiological and psychological makeup and an insight into the dosha imbalance.

‍

Treatment Methodology

The Ayurveda practitioner will consider symptoms, Nadi pariksha, dominant dosha, and the overall constitution of the body and create a tailored treatment and medicine for the individual. The treatment prescribed is usually a combination of herbal remedies, diet, exercise, and lifestyle adjustments to begin the process of healing and bring about positive changes in the body.

It is a myth that Ayurvedic treatments cannot work alongside modern medicine. Through doctor’s advice, a sick person can seek Ayurvedic treatments in a supplementary manner which will expedite healing and recovery.

‍

Ayurveda has many treatment methodologies, and Panchakarma is one of the most popular therapies.

Pancha karma applies to various processes to rejuvenate the body, which includes cleansing, detoxifying and enhancing longevity. The Pancha karma is composed of five karmas to remove toxins from the body tissues. They are

• Virechana – Purgation through powders, pastes, and decoctions
• Vaman – Therapeutic emesis using medicines
• Basti – Detoxifying using enemas made from medicated oils
• Rakta moksha – Detoxification of blood 
• Nasya – Administer medicines, in form of decoctions, oils, and fumes through the nose

‍

Benefits of Ayurveda

Ancient sages have written Ayurveda as the way of life after an extensive study of the human body about its environment. There are several reasons why Ayurveda is beneficial.

1. Weight Management

The ayurvedic diet helps maintain an ideal body mass index (BMI). It ensures a healthy weight without compromising energy. Ayurveda’s balanced approach is the solution for both overweight and underweight individuals and promotes healthy metabolism which leads to better health and immunity.

2. Healthy Skin and Hair

Chronic stress, bad eating habits, and irregular sleep patterns take a toll on the hair and skin. Ayurveda-recommended dincharya syncs with nature since you wake up at sunrise, go to bed early, eat seasonal fruits and vegetables, have food on time, and manage everyday stress through yoga. These practices will manifest in glowing skin and healthy hair. Planning your day according to Ayurveda-recommended dincharya can also delay the signs of aging and make you look younger than your age. 

3. Body Cleansing

The first step toward Ayurveda treatment recommends a thorough cleanse and detox. Body cleansing promotes efficient bodily functions and overall wellness. Panchakarma treatment enables the body to get rid of toxins through bloodletting, enemas, and purgation.

4. Manage Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

High blood pressure and high cholesterol levels are life-threatening after a certain age. Ayurvedic healing practices and dietary recommendations can prevent plaque in the arteries and reduce the risk of cardiac arrest and strokes.

5. Prevent Immunity Disorders

Poor eating habits and irregular sleep patterns lead to a compromised immune system and the ability to fight against diseases. Ayurveda’s recommended immunity boosters can prevent falling sick frequently and help recover from an illness speedily. With various herbs, Ayurvedic immunity boosters when administered in the right dosage and duration can help fight immunity-related concerns. 

‍

In Ayurveda, it is important to remember that your progress toward balance and health is always proportional to how sacredly you follow the guidelines of diet and lifestyle prescribed. Yes! old habits die hard and positive changes may be gradual but they provide long-term benefits. In Ayurveda, you are in charge of your rate of progress.