Ayurveda is considered by many scholars to be the oldest healing science. It is a holistic approach to health that is designed to help people live long, healthy, and well-balanced lives. It has been practiced in India for at least 5,000 years. Before the early ’90s, not many people in the west had heard of Ayurvedic medicine. But ever since physicians like Deepak Chopra have publicized this branch of medicine to the western world, it has become the new revolution. In a very holistic sense, Ayurveda is the most sacred science of life, beneficial to humans both in this world and the world beyond.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word, derived from two roots: ‘Ayush’, which means life, and ‘Veda’, which mean knowledge. Ayurveda “Science of Life” or “wisdom of life” deals with nature and includes all aspects of life. It provides a clear, concise, cohesive regimen to help people restore balance and health in their mind and body in a natural way. The main principles of Ayurveda are:
To prolong life and promote perfect health.
To completely eradicate the disease and dysfunction of the body.
What are its Origins?
According to Hindu mythology, the science of life was first enunciated by Brahma, the Creator, in the Brahma Samhita. There are four Vedas or treatises that form the basis of the Indian medical philosophy. These are:
The Rigveda
The Yajurveda
The Samaveda
The Adharva Veda.
Ayurveda emerged as a branch of Adharva Veda over five thousand years ago. The knowledge of Ayurveda has been handed down from generations to generations by means of ancient venerable scripts such as palm leaf books, leather leaves, etc.
How does Ayurveda work?
Ayurveda is based on the premise that the universe (including the human body) is composed of ‘five great elements’: earth, water, fire, air and ether. These elements are represented in humans by three “doshas”, or energies:
Vata: Vata pertains to air and ether elements. This is the energy that regulates bodily functions associated with motion, including breathing, blood circulation, blinking, and the beating of the heart.
Pitta: Pitta pertains to fire and water elements. This is the energy that governs the body’s metabolic systems, including body temperature, digestion, absorption, and nutrition.
Kapha: Kapha pertains to water and earth elements. This is the energy responsible for growth and protection. It supplies water to all body parts, moisturizes the skin, and maintains the immune system.
Everybody is composed of all three doshas, but usually 1 or 2 are dominant in a given individual. Many factors can disturb the dosha balance, such as stress, an unhealthy diet, the weather, and strained family relationships. This imbalance leads to various diseases and illness. The Ayurveda System cures the diseases by pacifying the aggravated Dosha and maintaining a balance called Prakriti. Ayurveda suggests specific lifestyle and nutritional guidelines to help individuals reduce the excess dosha. Ayurveda also focuses on exercise, yoga, meditation, and massage.
What are the benefits of Ayurveda?
The holistic health benefits of Ayurveda are:
It helps Enliven the connection between body, mind, emotions and spirit.
The herbal medicines help you ensure physical and mental health without side effects.
It restores balance and vitality with nutrition and herbs.
It is non-invasive and non-toxic so it can be used as an alternative or a complementary therapy.
Ayurveda customizes treatment to specific individuals, depending on their body type and state of balance.
Ayurvedic methods can also help stress-related, metabolic, and chronic conditions.
It prevents serious illness through simple dietary changes, lifestyle changes, and purification techniques.
How soon can the effect of Ayurvedic Treatments be felt?
This depends on the individual condition, severity of the illness and how long the person has had it. As Ayurveda believes in curing the disease from its roots, the treatment process shows its effects very slowly. Usually some effect is felt within 1-4 weeks, sometimes more, of first taking the medicine and following other dietary/lifestyle advice given.
Is it safe?
Ayurvedic medicines are mostly herbal and are made from a combination of many herbs and minerals. All ingredients used (herbs, plants and minerals) are found in their natural habitats. These are used to reduce or pacify one or more doshas that have increased in our bodies. No side effects have been observed till date. However, if you are using Ayurveda as a complementary therapy, it is best to inform your doctor in advance.
Ayurveda provides us with a complete understanding of what is life-sustaining and what is not. It is not just for the physical body, but also our mind, heart, senses and spirit. Unlike the western medicinal system, it is not based on the frequently changing findings of specific research projects, but on permanent, wise and eternal principles of living.