About Ayurveda
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is India’s natural science of healing. It was established at the same time as the original systems of yoga and meditation and has been in practice since before 5000 BC.
It is based on a holistic approach to natural health using effective herbs and therapies to correct any imbalance within the body. This ancient practice has spread worldwide as an innovative and comprehensive system on how one can gain balance of body and mind.
The word AyurVeda is a combination of two Sanskrit words
Ayur = Life Veda = Knowledge / Science
AyurVeda recognises that our cosmic energy consists of three component energy ‘Doshas’ Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each person has a unique pattern featuring different levels of the three Doshas; one primary and the other two less prominent. Before using AyurVedic remedies it is important to find out your primary or dominant Dosha. Good health relies on our ability to keep the Vata, Pitta and Kapha levels in harmonic balance.
Three Sages
Rishis Charaka, Sushruta and Vagbhata are called “Brihat Trayi” or the Big Three who are credited with compiling Ayurveda’s three most important books- Charak Samhita, Sushrut Samhita and Ashtang Hridayam respectively. These three books are thoroughly edited and peer reviewed documents compiling best of the Ayurveda knowledge at those times.
Ayurveda’s Principles
The basic principle behind Ayurveda philosophy perhaps lies in the following verse:
“स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्य रक्षणं, आतुरस्य विकारप्रशमनं च”
To prolong life and promote perfect health (add years to life and life to years) - (स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्य रक्षणं)
To completely eradicate the disease and dysfunction of the body (आतुरस्य विकारप्रशमनं च)
Ayurveda’s holistic approach
Ayurveda follows basic two approaches based on the principle above:
1). Preventive therapy (Swasthasya Swasthya Samrakshanam)
Ayurveda believes that “prevention is better than cure”. A person who maintains his health will not be afflicted with diseases.
Main measures are as follows:
Rasayana Chikitsa (Rejuvenative Therapy)
Vajeekarana Chikitsa (Aphrodisiac)
Dinacharya (Daily Routines)
Ritucharya (seasonal Regimes)
2) Curative therapy) (Athurasya Vikara Prasamana)
Measures are as follows:
a) Samana chikitsa (pacificatory therapy) Using medicines and other measures, the imbalanced doshas like Vata, Pitta and Kapha are brought into normal state.
b) Shodhana chikitsa- Pancharkarma therapy (Purificatory therapy) the imbalanced or vitiated dhoshas are purified through expulsions by five measures called Panchakarma.
Vamanam
Virechanam
Nasyam
Raktamokshanam
Vasti
The Three Doshas
In Ayurveda, the five elements that are found in all living things—ether, air, fire, water, and earth—are the building blocks of life. While this foundation unites all humans, the manifestation of those elements through the doshas is what gives rise to our differences. How the three doshas appear, and in what proportion, is what makes each of us unique.
The 3 Doshas
The fiery and intense Pitta type may enjoy the occasional power trip. She will devour a mountain of food with ravenous hunger and yet be ready to eat again when it comes to the next meal.
In contrast, a delicate Vata can never seem to get warm. She will nibble, snack, and graze her way through the day, and she may feel the need to rest often. She’s also inclined to talk about a number of diverse subjects, probably repeating herself more than once.
The contented Kapha type may, with great deliberation, consume three pieces of cake. She will spend quality time curled up on a couch making phone calls to loved ones with uplifting, motherly advice.