What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a more than 2,000 year old
comprehensive system of medicine based on a holistic approach
rooted in Vedic culture. The word ayurveda means knowledge (veda)
of life (ayur). This form of health treatment began in ancient
India.
Before going unto some of the basics of ayurveda, some myths need to be dispelled. Ayurveda is not a bogus form of "alternative therapy". It is a tried
and tested form of traditional medicine. Ayurveda was a health care system that had been supporting many cultures and large civilisations.
In fact some of the advancements made in ayurveda (for example, an ancient form of surgery) has led to the development of Western practice of medicine. The english equivalent of "ayurveda" is the "science of life". This in iteslf suggests that ayurveda is a form of science and had been developed and researched systematically. As a result, ayurveda can be an effective way to obtain a good health balance and improve an individual's quality of life.
There are now several universities and institutions that specialise in qualifications in ayurveda all around the world, such as in India and USA (for examples try searching ayurvedic universities in google.com).
There are recognised ayurvedic degrees and qualifications such as Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, and registers such as the British Register of Complementary Practitioners.
You will find that ayurveda is a well developed form of health care that treats the individual's needs.
In ayurveda there are 3 main doshas (medical humours), which are
Vata (resembles the classical element air), Pitta (fire), and
Kapha (water).All bodily processes are believed to be governed by
a balance of the 3 doshas. Whichever dosha appears to dominate a
person's behavior and physique is called his constitution type.
Each constitution type has particular strengths and
susceptibilities.
Vata
Vata, composed of air, governs all movement in the mind and body
and must be kept in good balance. Too much vata leads to
"worries, insomnia, cramps and constipation. Vata controls
blood flow, elimination of wastes, breathing and the movement of
thoughts across the mind." Vata activates the nervous
system, hearing and speech; and expresses as enthusiasm and
creativity. Vata also controls the other two principles, Pitta
and Kapha, and is usually the first cause of disease. Another
word for Vata is Vayu - it is the more traditional Sanskrit word
for air.
Pitta
Pitta is said to be composed of fire and water; it governs
"all heat, metabolism and transformation in the mind and
body. It controls how we digest food, how we metabolize our
sensory perceptions, and how we discriminate between right and
wrong." Pitta must be kept in balance, too. "Too much
Pitta can lead to anger, criticism, ulcers, rashes and thinning
hair.". A balanced Pitta mind makes one a good leader with a
warm personality.
Kapha
Kapha is the watery humour. "Kapha cements the elements in
the body, providing the material for physical structure. This
dosha maintains body resistance....Kapha lubricates the joints;
provides moisture to the skin; helps to heal wounds; fills the
spaces in the body; gives biological strength, vigor and
stability; supports memory retention; gives energy to the heart
and lungs and maintains immunity...Kapha is responsible for
emotions of attachment, greed and long-standing envy; it is also
expressed in tendencies toward calmness, forgiveness and
love." Too much Kapha leads to lethargy and weight gain, as
well as congestion and allergies.
Often a person is a dual dosha (e.g. Vata/Pitta) or even Tridosha
(all three doshas).
In summary, Ayurveda represents a system that considers both the
states of mind and body in its diagnosis and treatment. Ayurveda
took into consideration the fact that many illnesses are caused
by foreign agents and small organisms that may require
intervention. Patients are classified by body types, or prakriti,
which are determined by proportions of the three doshas. Illness
and disease are considered to be a matter of imbalance in the
doshas. Treatment is aimed at restoring harmony or balance to the
mind-body system.
That is where we (KAHC) come in. We help treat conditions and diseases
using this alternative form to western medicine. We specialise in ayurveda from Kerala
and all of our clients are satisfied, and our clientelle list is increasing. To get a free consulatation or to just get a better idea of ayurveda, please contact us. We hope your experience with us will be positive and will help broaden your outlook on holistic therapy. You can find more about us or find out why you should try us by browsing through the links.
