According to Ayurveda it is possible for you to live a prolonged and wholesome healthy life through smart and well balanced coordination of your body (sharira), mind (mana), senses (indriya) and soul (atma).
Ayurvedic science spin around the five elements (panchmahabhoot) i.e. earth (prithvi), water (jal), fire (agni), air (vayu), ether (aakash) that contributes into the formation of the three physical energies – Vata, Pitta, Kapha and the three psychic energies – Satwa, Rajas and Tamas which inturn decides the constitution (prakriti). Ayurveda thus provides a distinctive blend of science and philosophy that stabilizes the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual elements necessary for holistic health.
Science of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is not just an Ancient Indian Medical system, but an absolute guide to healthy lifestyle. It has been around for several million years and has overcome the test of time. Ayurvedic physicians were involved in surgeries and multiple other complex medical procedures long back– while in modern science its a very contemporary phenomenon. The vedic philosophy believes that the entire universe is solitary– whether it is human beings, animals, plans or non-living objects. Hence, there is an association and dependence on each other.
Body types as per Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda each and every individual has its own distinctive body constitution like the fingerprint. It is a mixture of three body types that include mental, physical and emotional aspects. These are known as ‘doshas’ in Ayurvedic scriptures. These Doshas are further known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Ayurvedic herbs
Ayurvedic herbs are taken from multiple parts of the plant i.e., leaves, nuts, seeds, bark, roots and so on. There are millions of such herbs and their combinations which are available as medicines to cure disorders. The method of managing & extraction also varies greatly – while some are extracted by treating it in water, some are used to make herbal tonics and others are used directly for ingestion. Mixture of these herbs which are known in Ayurvedic scriptures are called “classical tradition medicines” while those which have been prepared by pharmaceutical companies are called “proprietary medicines”. It is advisable to consult an Ayurvedic Doctor before starting any medication.
Naadi pariksha and disorder detection
The ‘naadi’ or pulse is given enormous prominence in Ayurveda. Naadi pariksha is an ability to diagnose through the pulse. The vibrating frequency of the pulse aids in ascertaining various functionalities of the body. It also discloses the mental and physical characteristics of human beings. In yogic scripts, there is mention of 14 naadis which have unique functions related to multiple parts of the body. Stimulation of a naadi helps to influence the processes of these body parts. Naadi is said to be ‘jiva sakshi’ ie the evidence that the person or a living being is alive. The factors that contribute to naadi diagnosis are-
– Size or volume of the pulse
– Number or rapidity of the pulse
– Rhythm or regularity of the pulse
The pulse is tested in the left hand for women and the right hand for men.
Panchakarma treatments
Panchakarma is a prominent method of purification and treatment in Ayurveda. As the name itself suggests, it has a set of five therapies developed to cleanse the body of toxins. These therapies are-
Vaman: known as medicine induced emesis. Here, vomiting is prompted which helps eliminate toxins from the tissues. It is commonly used in the treatment of Kapha-dominant disorders.
Virechanam: Refers to medicine urged purgation. It concentrates on removal of toxins through eviction of the bowels. It is demonstrated in the treatment of pitta-dominated ailments such as herpes, jaundice, colitis etc.
Basti: is known as medicated enema. Enema is one among the many contributions of Ayurveda to medicine and has demonstrated to be extremely
effective for multiple medical conditions. Herbal mixtures are composed out of oils, ghee, milk, etc are administered into the rectum.
Nasyam: It refers to the usage of nasal drops. Induction of naturally prepared nasal drops cures several types of disorders headache, migraine, hair problems, respiratory problems, sleep etc.
Raktmokshanam: Is known to blood letting through leech or cuts made by using a metal instrument. It is advocated for diseases caused due to impure blood.
The victory and acceptance of Ayurvedic treatment lies in its fundamental principles, The five elements: All living and non‑living things, in this entire universe are made up of five basic elements and therefore every material in nature has the potential to be a medicine.