The rishis of ancient India knew very well the intimate relationship between mankind and natural laws. From this knowledge evolved the basis for the health care system called Ayurveda, the life medicine. It is only now that western medicine has been able to come to terms with this profound truth. All these years it had been treating the person as a machine. The human spirit was reduced to matter. The Newtonian mechanistic way of looking at things was the norm.
It was with Quantum Physics that the western world could release itself off the shackles of this mechanistic view point. The role of Quantum Physics in effecting a paradigm shift in western world thinking cannot be overstated. The immutable truths expressed in the Vedas that have stood the test of time began to make sense to the western mind.
Man came from nature, and he has to live in harmony with it. He/she should not subjugate it to his/her whims and fancies. He should realize the cosmic order that runs through the whole Universe, and cooperate in its fuller manifestation. He being part of the Universe, should imbibe that order in his own personality, in his complete self.
Ayurveda helps to establish this universal harmony in ones being. The Ayurvedic philosophy encompasses and takes care of all aspects of human life. It regards the human body as a microcosm of the Universe. One of the basic principles of Ayurveda is the tridosha theory.
The human bodily patterns consist of three doshas or health tendencies. These are Vata, Pitta and Kapha which can be equated to wind, bile and phlegm. Vata is connected to movement, Pitta indicates light and heat, Kapha relates to conservation. Susrutha, the great Ayurvedic teacher says, “just as the sun, moon and wind are vital for proper functioning of the outer world, so are vata, pitta and kapha needed for healthy functioning of human body.”
Ayurveda insists on diet, proper lifestyle, herbs, exercise and positive attitude. These are critical in effecting an all round development in body, mind and spirit. This way the individual is able to establish in himself the harmony that is found in nature.
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Showing posts with label Ayurveda Philosophy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ayurveda Philosophy. Show all posts
Ayurvedic Home Remedies: Tips for Healthy Living
To be born as a human being is a very rare, difficult and very significant feat. The old poetess Avvaiyar says so in her song. When Lord Muruga asks her what the rarest or most difficult thing on earth is, Avvaiyar answered this way. Aridhu, aridhu, maanidarai pirathal arithu. There are so many living beings on earth like animals, birds, insects, plants, creepers etc. Human beings alone are endowed with the sixth sense to differentiate good and bad.
There are a good number of sayings in the old Tamil literature that stress the importance of human birth. They all exhort human beings to make the most of their birth on this planet earth. Human beings should strive to manifest their fullest potential in all spheres of life instead of wasting their time in trivialities. A healthy body and a healthy mind is the cornerstone on which the whole edifice of a fulfilled and balanced life can be built. Subramania Bharathi, the greatest Tamil poet of the 20th century advises ‘strengthen your body’.
The complexity of the human body is beyond comprehension. With evolution over millions of years, the human body has acquired this phenomenal power. It is this complex structure that enables the human body to withstand and adapt itself to the various environmental onslaughts. Its efforts are geared toward establishing a harmony in human nature. Our ancestors knew for a fact that the human body has an inherent capacity to heal itself. The only requirement on the part of the sick ones is to cooperate with this healing process and not to hinder it.
When there is a radical change in lifestyle it tests the limits of human body's endurance. The contemporary sedentary lifestyle was alien to our ancestors. Lack of exercise, fast food diet, prolonged stress, all these can harm our body. The human body’s capacity to reestablish harmony can weaken as a result of prolonged attack. But the best part is, most of the modern day ailments can be cured with lifestyle changes alone. Herbs can help quicken the process.
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Benefits of Panchakarma
Panchakarma is the process done by an Ayurvedic expert.
Given below are some of the benefits of Panchakarma
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Given below are some of the benefits of Panchakarma
- It restores your constitutional harmony thereby improving health and wellness.
- It flushes out toxins from your body.
- It neutralises the negative effects of stress and retards the aging process.
- It strengthens the immune system and builds a resilient you.
- It relaxes you and keeps you calm.
- It improves your health, boosts your energy levels and gives you a clear mind.
Purvakarma is the term that denotes the measures to be followed before a full blown Panchakarma. Snehana or oil massage and swedana or sweating (akin to sweating in a spa) are the two processes that facilitate easy elimination of toxins.
Vamana, virechana, snehavasti, kashayavasti and nasya are the five processes of Ayurveda for elimination of toxins from body and mind.
Panchakarma helps in restoring back your lost vitality.
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What is Panchakarma
The aim of all systems of medicine is restoration of normalcy in an individual. This normalcy should reflect in all spheres of life, physical, mental and spiritual. Ayurveda as a holistic system strives to restore normalcy in the individual and it achieves this by the process of Panchakarma. This word Panchakarma means five actions. It is a cleansing and rejuvenating program for the body, mind and spirit.
The old adage ‘microcosm mirrors the macrocosm’ is the basic premise on which Ayurveda and Siddha systems were built. Ayurveda and Siddha systems try to establish the harmony of macrocosm in the microcosm. Everything in nature has its own rhythm. Panchakarma eliminates toxins from an individual’s body and restores the lost harmony.
An ideal personality is one who has a body clear of toxins, a calm mind, stable emotions. His/her system eliminates waste efficiently. All organs function normally.
Toxins get accumulated in one’s body due to environmental pollution and stress. The accumulated toxins weaken all the systems and create an ideal setting for development of chronic and degenerative diseases. The individual’s health is compromised in the process. When left unattended they develop into serious ailments which destroys one’s health and wellness.
Panchakarma is the ayurvedic way of removing accumulated toxins. By cleansing the body of all accumulated toxins, this process restores the lost vitality and improves bodily function. A subsequent change in lifestyle helps maintain this ideal state of health.
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The old adage ‘microcosm mirrors the macrocosm’ is the basic premise on which Ayurveda and Siddha systems were built. Ayurveda and Siddha systems try to establish the harmony of macrocosm in the microcosm. Everything in nature has its own rhythm. Panchakarma eliminates toxins from an individual’s body and restores the lost harmony.
An ideal personality is one who has a body clear of toxins, a calm mind, stable emotions. His/her system eliminates waste efficiently. All organs function normally.
Toxins get accumulated in one’s body due to environmental pollution and stress. The accumulated toxins weaken all the systems and create an ideal setting for development of chronic and degenerative diseases. The individual’s health is compromised in the process. When left unattended they develop into serious ailments which destroys one’s health and wellness.
Panchakarma is the ayurvedic way of removing accumulated toxins. By cleansing the body of all accumulated toxins, this process restores the lost vitality and improves bodily function. A subsequent change in lifestyle helps maintain this ideal state of health.
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The Return of Ayurveda
The limitation of modern medical science once again highlights the inability of the conventional system of medicine to cure various new diseases. To a large extent infectious diseases like small pox, chicken pox, measles etc that were caused by bacteria and viruses etc have been brought under control. There is an increase in life expectancy. But on the other side the number of people suffering from degenerative and neoplastic diseases like cancer, stroke, heart disease is on the increase. To quote The India Times of 28 December 2008, there has been a six-fold increase in the number of diabetic patients, 200% increase in breast cancer patients. Obesity is on the rise too. Drugs developed to treat these conditions enter the market with much fanfare only to be banned after a couple of years for their worse side effects, only useful in fattening the purses of the multibillion dollar drug companies in the process. The deterioration of medical ethics, along with the limitations of modern scientific medicine in curing many diseases has prompted many westerners to seek alternative in the Eastern traditional methods. Ayurvedic therapies and Chinese techniques have become increasingly popular in the Western societies.
The eastern therapies adopt a more humane approach to illnesses and treat the person as a whole. The treatment prescribed brings the patient closer to nature. Herbs and plants, seasonal do’s and don’ts, emphasis on change in lifestyle etc gives him/her a closeness to nature which was lost long back. Thus Ayurveda endeavors to establish in human beings the harmony present in nature.
Ayurveda is a way of life based on ones constitution. And a person’s constitution is determined on the preponderance or lack of three humors namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Based on ones constitution his/her diet, life-style, do’s and don’ts are prescribed. Herbs, plants, salts, metals etc are used in preparation of medicines. Massage, panchakarma etc are some of the therapies for cleansing. My subsequent posts will brief these processes (even though they are beyond the scope of home remedies).
I wish all my readers a happy and healthy New Year.
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The eastern therapies adopt a more humane approach to illnesses and treat the person as a whole. The treatment prescribed brings the patient closer to nature. Herbs and plants, seasonal do’s and don’ts, emphasis on change in lifestyle etc gives him/her a closeness to nature which was lost long back. Thus Ayurveda endeavors to establish in human beings the harmony present in nature.
Ayurveda is a way of life based on ones constitution. And a person’s constitution is determined on the preponderance or lack of three humors namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Based on ones constitution his/her diet, life-style, do’s and don’ts are prescribed. Herbs, plants, salts, metals etc are used in preparation of medicines. Massage, panchakarma etc are some of the therapies for cleansing. My subsequent posts will brief these processes (even though they are beyond the scope of home remedies).
I wish all my readers a happy and healthy New Year.
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Ayurvedic tenets for long and healthy life - II
The rishis and siddhars (spiritually evolved people) of the past discovered the secrets of longevity and have passed it on to the successive generations. These saints saw the harmony that exists in the universe, the day and night, the seasons, the perfect motion of the planets, the yin and yang. They intuitively deduced that human beings are the microcosm of Nature and the vast expansive Universe is the macrocosm. They saw the human microcosm as part of the larger universal macrocosm. Hence they stated that the secret of healthy life lies in establishing harmony within the microcosm based on the harmony that pervades the universe throughout. Their efforts were then directed towards finding ways and means of establishing this universal macrocosmic harmony in the human existence. This search resulted to yoga, meditation, etc.
The Vedas state that the universe is made of five elements namely, earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Human body is also made of the same five elements. So for a healthy living, there should be a healthy balance of all the five elements. The human body’s actions relate to the universe through these elements.
Humans drink water, eat food, inhale air and thus regulate the temperature of their body. They get ‘prana’ from ether. It is the earth that gives them the external form. Bones, tissues, muscles, skin, hair etc relate to earth. Blood, glandular secretions, and all the other fluids in the body relate to water. The third element fire is behind emotions, energy, and vitality. Digestion, blood circulation, nervous system, etc are the spheres of action for fire. Air relates to breathing. Ether is the source of mental prowess and spiritual development. When all of these five elements are in balance and harmony, there is health and joy.
One cannot isolate the elements from one another. All elements act in unison. The physical activity is a result of the combined action of the elements. Any imbalance in one element affects the harmony of the whole.
Doshas are a combination of the five elements. Vata, pittha and kapha are the three doshas that Ayurveda speaks of. Vata is a combination of ether and air, pitha fire and water, kapha water and earth. Though there is no exact English equivalent for the Sanskrit word dosha, it roughly means force, or one that could easily lose its equilibrium. Human beings are a combination of two or all three doshas with one being predominant. To know your dosha click here.
When the doshas get vitiated, (and they tend to get vitiated easily), it results in diseases. Disease comes from outside and is not the nature of the body.
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The Vedas state that the universe is made of five elements namely, earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Human body is also made of the same five elements. So for a healthy living, there should be a healthy balance of all the five elements. The human body’s actions relate to the universe through these elements.
Humans drink water, eat food, inhale air and thus regulate the temperature of their body. They get ‘prana’ from ether. It is the earth that gives them the external form. Bones, tissues, muscles, skin, hair etc relate to earth. Blood, glandular secretions, and all the other fluids in the body relate to water. The third element fire is behind emotions, energy, and vitality. Digestion, blood circulation, nervous system, etc are the spheres of action for fire. Air relates to breathing. Ether is the source of mental prowess and spiritual development. When all of these five elements are in balance and harmony, there is health and joy.
One cannot isolate the elements from one another. All elements act in unison. The physical activity is a result of the combined action of the elements. Any imbalance in one element affects the harmony of the whole.
Doshas are a combination of the five elements. Vata, pittha and kapha are the three doshas that Ayurveda speaks of. Vata is a combination of ether and air, pitha fire and water, kapha water and earth. Though there is no exact English equivalent for the Sanskrit word dosha, it roughly means force, or one that could easily lose its equilibrium. Human beings are a combination of two or all three doshas with one being predominant. To know your dosha click here.
When the doshas get vitiated, (and they tend to get vitiated easily), it results in diseases. Disease comes from outside and is not the nature of the body.
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Ayurvedic tenets for long and healthy life
To lead a long and healthy life Ayurveda recommends a lifestyle based on moderation in all spheres of life. Adapting this lifestyle is liberating and manifests positive changes in body, mind and spirit. Human beings die either naturally due to ageing or due to diseases and accidents. While one cannot foretell death, leading a healthy life keeps away diseases and the attendant suffering.
Ayurveda recommends following certain tenets that when adapted to ones lifestyle and made into a habit can benefit physically, mentally and spiritually.
The basic requirement for a healthy existence is good food, good sleep and good relationship.
Always consume freshly prepared food. Avoid all foods of the previous day especially the non-vegetarian ones. Also avoid refrigerated foods.
Do not suppress the natural urge to urinate and defecate. Avoid daytime nap. Do not lie down to sleep with head facing north.
Eat only when you feel hungry. Eat twice a day. Do not go to bed immediately after supper. Walk for 10-15 minutes before going to bed.
Follow a regular routine for sleeping. Go to bed by 10 o’clock at night. Get up at 6 in the morning. Six to eight hours of sleep is necessary to maintain good health.
Ayurveda advocates sex in moderation. It stipulates a general rule of sexual relationship once every fortnight (a tough one!). No sex immediately after food, a gap of 4 hours is advised.
The Siddhars of yesteryears also suggest the following regimen.
Eat twice a day.
Apply oil to head and bathe in warm water once every four days.
Fast a day, once a week.
Sex once a fortnight.
Clean the airway passages and nostrils etc (by instilling certain medications into the nostrils) once every 45 days. This helps clear the sinuses.
Take purgatives (natural ones) once every four months and cleanse the colons.
Take emetics (vomit inducers) once every six months to clear the phlegm etc.
Avoid dust and polluted atmosphere.
A disciplined mind is necessary to keep away from bad habits and inculcate good ones.
I am reminded of a quote I found at the entrance of Integral Coach Factory Design and Development Department, "in the chains of a disciplined life, the spirit soars”.
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Ayurveda recommends following certain tenets that when adapted to ones lifestyle and made into a habit can benefit physically, mentally and spiritually.
The basic requirement for a healthy existence is good food, good sleep and good relationship.
Always consume freshly prepared food. Avoid all foods of the previous day especially the non-vegetarian ones. Also avoid refrigerated foods.
Do not suppress the natural urge to urinate and defecate. Avoid daytime nap. Do not lie down to sleep with head facing north.
Eat only when you feel hungry. Eat twice a day. Do not go to bed immediately after supper. Walk for 10-15 minutes before going to bed.
Follow a regular routine for sleeping. Go to bed by 10 o’clock at night. Get up at 6 in the morning. Six to eight hours of sleep is necessary to maintain good health.
Ayurveda advocates sex in moderation. It stipulates a general rule of sexual relationship once every fortnight (a tough one!). No sex immediately after food, a gap of 4 hours is advised.
The Siddhars of yesteryears also suggest the following regimen.
Eat twice a day.
Apply oil to head and bathe in warm water once every four days.
Fast a day, once a week.
Sex once a fortnight.
Clean the airway passages and nostrils etc (by instilling certain medications into the nostrils) once every 45 days. This helps clear the sinuses.
Take purgatives (natural ones) once every four months and cleanse the colons.
Take emetics (vomit inducers) once every six months to clear the phlegm etc.
Avoid dust and polluted atmosphere.
A disciplined mind is necessary to keep away from bad habits and inculcate good ones.
I am reminded of a quote I found at the entrance of Integral Coach Factory Design and Development Department, "in the chains of a disciplined life, the spirit soars”.
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Kapha and Ayurveda
The basic characteristics of kapha dosha as defined by Charaka Samhita are, it is heavy, cold, soft, sweet, viscous.The constituents of kapha are water and earth.
People with predominance in pitha are of heavy build, robust structure and oily skin. They usually have lush growth of hair. They stay calm and collected and are easygoing. They prefer warm weather. They remain loyal in their relationships. They have a pleasing disposition.
A well-balanced kapha personality exhibits all of the above characteristics. Exposure to cold, damp environments, indulging in excessive consumption of refrigerated cold foods, liquids can aggravate kapha dosha.When the balance is vitiated it leads to various complications, and when left unattended to it can lead to many diseases.
Signs of a vitiated kapha
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People with predominance in pitha are of heavy build, robust structure and oily skin. They usually have lush growth of hair. They stay calm and collected and are easygoing. They prefer warm weather. They remain loyal in their relationships. They have a pleasing disposition.
A well-balanced kapha personality exhibits all of the above characteristics. Exposure to cold, damp environments, indulging in excessive consumption of refrigerated cold foods, liquids can aggravate kapha dosha.When the balance is vitiated it leads to various complications, and when left unattended to it can lead to many diseases.
Signs of a vitiated kapha
- Tired without physical activity
- Waking up tired, no refreshed feeling
- Excessive secretion of oil on skin
- Congestion of head, chest, throat
- Not interested in any physical activity
- Slow and improper digestion
- Weight gain with no excessive intake
- Lack of motivation
A good ayurveda physician can guide you through a diet and lifestyle to normalize the vitiated kapha dosha.
For more details: http://www.ayurbalance.com/
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Pitta and Ayurveda
The basic characteristics of pitta dosha as defined by Charaka Samhita are, it is hot, sharp and burning, acidic and liquid, flowing without restrictions, pungent.
The constituents of pitta are fire and water. People with predominance in pitta are of medium build, sensitive and warm skin, thin hair prone to premature greying. They show determination in their thoughts, words and actions. They prefer a cooler is atmosphere. They are a confident lot and have entrepreneurial skills.
A well-balanced pitta personality exhibits all of the above characteristics.Exposure to hot temperatures, emotional trauma, indulging in excessive consumption of spicy foods, skipping meals etc can exacerbate pitta dosha.
When the balance is vitiated it leads to various complications, and when left unattended to it can lead to many diseases.
Signs of a vitiated pitta
The constituents of pitta are fire and water. People with predominance in pitta are of medium build, sensitive and warm skin, thin hair prone to premature greying. They show determination in their thoughts, words and actions. They prefer a cooler is atmosphere. They are a confident lot and have entrepreneurial skills.
A well-balanced pitta personality exhibits all of the above characteristics.Exposure to hot temperatures, emotional trauma, indulging in excessive consumption of spicy foods, skipping meals etc can exacerbate pitta dosha.
When the balance is vitiated it leads to various complications, and when left unattended to it can lead to many diseases.
Signs of a vitiated pitta
- constantly critical, impatient, irritable
- obsession with work
- Irritation or sensitiveness of skin
- Hair loss
- heartburn or GERD
- Thirsty all time
- Hot even in indoors
- Spewing out sarcastic comments on least provocation
A good ayurveda physician can guide you through a diet and lifestyle to normalize the vitiated pitta dosha.
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More on Vata Dosha
The basic characteristics of vata dosha as defined by Charaka Samhita are, it is dry and rough, cool, light in weight, very tiny, always moving, broad, unlimited, and rough.
The constituents of vata are space and air. People with predominance in vata basically are thin, have a delicate skin that is dry. They are agile both in speech and action and are extroverts. They are a creative lot, with lots of enthusiasm. They prefer a warm atmosphere. A well-balanced vata personality exhibits all of the above characteristics.
Exposure to cold dry winds, excessive travel, too much mental exertion, indulging in too much of dry or raw foods etc can exacerbate vata dosha.
When the balance is vitiated it leads to various complications, and when left unattended to it can lead to many diseases.
Signs of a vitiated vata
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The constituents of vata are space and air. People with predominance in vata basically are thin, have a delicate skin that is dry. They are agile both in speech and action and are extroverts. They are a creative lot, with lots of enthusiasm. They prefer a warm atmosphere. A well-balanced vata personality exhibits all of the above characteristics.
Exposure to cold dry winds, excessive travel, too much mental exertion, indulging in too much of dry or raw foods etc can exacerbate vata dosha.
When the balance is vitiated it leads to various complications, and when left unattended to it can lead to many diseases.
Signs of a vitiated vata
- Constantly worried, fretful
- Feel tired but unable to relax
- Unable to fall asleep at bedtime
- Skin dry, parched
- Hair brittle with split ends
- Irregular digestion with abdominal gas
- Infrequent bowel movements
- Feel spaced out, short term memory loss
A good ayurveda physician can guide you through a diet and lifestyle to normalize the vitiated vata dosha.
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Ayurveda and Dosha
Dosha is a term that you often come across in the ayurveda circles. It is based on your dosha that your ayurveda physician initiates a treatment program that is unique to your constitution. As mentioned in my earlier article, there are three doshas, namely vatha, pittha and kapha. The cosmos is made up of the basic five elements ether, air, fire, water and earth. The three doshas are also made up of these elements. Vatha is made up of ether and air, pittha is made up of fire and water, kapha is made up of water and earth. These are further divided into five sub doshas. These doshas play a vital role in one’s well being. Please bear in mind that these are vital forces, and they do not have a physical form. These cannot be extracted out from a person’s body and studied under a microscope.
All the three doshas need not be in equal proportions in an individual, two of them will be in predominance, the other one will be in a subdued state. The proportions vary in each individual. Ayurveda texts say that all individuals are born with a unique dosha thumb print. This thumb print is the individual’s prakrithi or nature.
The prerequisite for healthy living is the balance of the dosha thumb print in an individual. As long as the doshas are in harmony the individual enjoys good health. The ayurveda way of life helps one maintain his/her unique dosha thumb print.
The environmental pollution, the stress of the fast paced lifestyle, change in dietary habits, depression etc lead to imbalance of doshas which in turn weakens the immunity and leads to disease. This imbalance, in ayurveda parlance, is called vikriti. Ayurveda strives to restore the imbalance and bring back the much needed harmony of doshas.
So ayurvedic way of life is necessary for all individuals, both healthy and sick; healthy people to maintain their health and sick people to restore their health. No wonder, ayurveda has caught the fancy of the western world.
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All the three doshas need not be in equal proportions in an individual, two of them will be in predominance, the other one will be in a subdued state. The proportions vary in each individual. Ayurveda texts say that all individuals are born with a unique dosha thumb print. This thumb print is the individual’s prakrithi or nature.
The prerequisite for healthy living is the balance of the dosha thumb print in an individual. As long as the doshas are in harmony the individual enjoys good health. The ayurveda way of life helps one maintain his/her unique dosha thumb print.
The environmental pollution, the stress of the fast paced lifestyle, change in dietary habits, depression etc lead to imbalance of doshas which in turn weakens the immunity and leads to disease. This imbalance, in ayurveda parlance, is called vikriti. Ayurveda strives to restore the imbalance and bring back the much needed harmony of doshas.
So ayurvedic way of life is necessary for all individuals, both healthy and sick; healthy people to maintain their health and sick people to restore their health. No wonder, ayurveda has caught the fancy of the western world.
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Theory of Ayurveda Part 2
Ayurveda’s approach to disease is a wholistic one. An ayurveda practitioner’s first job is finding out why a person has a given symptom. This he does by delving deep into the patient’s nature and discovering the underlying cause. He finds out the prakrithi of the patient, the forces that have been imbalanced, and the ways to balance them. Thus he helps in re-establishing harmony, not just appeasement of symptoms.
Diagnosis in ayurveda is called nidaanam. This includes interpreting the pulse of the patient, probing deeper by asking appropriate questions etc. Thus the vaidya or the practitioner finds out which of the doshas have aggravated and plans his treatment accordingly. Changes in diet, lifestyle, and a strict observation of dietary restrictions are a must for long lasting and deeply healing recovery.
Ayurveda texts describe ways to pacify the aggravated doshas. Once the aggravations are pacified, normalcy is restored. The patient is then advised to follow the new lifestyle according to his prakrithi (constitution) to help maintain the harmony established.
The two basic tenets of Ayurveda are
1. Maintain harmony where there is harmony.
2. Re-establish harmony where harmony is lost.
The first tenet lays emphasis on prevention. Prevention is better than cure. This is easier.The second tenet is for those who do not know how to maintain the harmony and have lost it. Disharmony results in disease. Ayurveda strives to re-establish this harmony and thus bring about cure.
For more details visit ayurbalance
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Diagnosis in ayurveda is called nidaanam. This includes interpreting the pulse of the patient, probing deeper by asking appropriate questions etc. Thus the vaidya or the practitioner finds out which of the doshas have aggravated and plans his treatment accordingly. Changes in diet, lifestyle, and a strict observation of dietary restrictions are a must for long lasting and deeply healing recovery.
Ayurveda texts describe ways to pacify the aggravated doshas. Once the aggravations are pacified, normalcy is restored. The patient is then advised to follow the new lifestyle according to his prakrithi (constitution) to help maintain the harmony established.
The two basic tenets of Ayurveda are
1. Maintain harmony where there is harmony.
2. Re-establish harmony where harmony is lost.
The first tenet lays emphasis on prevention. Prevention is better than cure. This is easier.The second tenet is for those who do not know how to maintain the harmony and have lost it. Disharmony results in disease. Ayurveda strives to re-establish this harmony and thus bring about cure.
For more details visit ayurbalance
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Theory of Ayurveda Part 1
Ayurveda treats man/woman as a whole. It means all aspects of a man/woman are taken into consideration, the body, mind and spirit.
In spite of the advances in modern medicinal system, it still regards human beings as machines and various ‘mechanisms’ of the body are studied to the molecular levels, and treated with chemical and physical interventions. This has led to compartmentalisation and specialisation. We have specialist diabetologist, cardiologist, pulmonologist etc and the list goes on. The spiritual aspect of mankind is sidelined, even denied.
Ayurveda however accepts that reality is multi-dimensional and multi-layered. One of the basic tenets of Ayurveda is the tridosha. For a human being to be healthy the three doshas have to be in harmony within him. The three doshas are vatha, pitha and kapha. The cosmos and all that exists in it is made of the pancha bhuthas, earth, water, fire, air and ether. Vatha is related to air and ether, pitha is related to fire and kapha is related to water and earth.
The three vital forces or doshas are in varied proportions in each individual. Predominance of vatha gives rise to an active and agile personality, predominance of pitha to a dynamic and short-tempered one, and kapha to a content and home loving one. This is known as the prakrithi or nature of a person.
These vital forces give rise to the three qualities of the mind based on various permutations and combinations. They are sattva, rajas and tamas. Sattva has in it equilibrium, harmony, peace. Rajas denotes activities like planning, taking action etc. Tamas can be best described as inertia, that which retards motion and brings down everything to a standstill.
Recommended reading: Textbook of Ayurveda
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In spite of the advances in modern medicinal system, it still regards human beings as machines and various ‘mechanisms’ of the body are studied to the molecular levels, and treated with chemical and physical interventions. This has led to compartmentalisation and specialisation. We have specialist diabetologist, cardiologist, pulmonologist etc and the list goes on. The spiritual aspect of mankind is sidelined, even denied.
Ayurveda however accepts that reality is multi-dimensional and multi-layered. One of the basic tenets of Ayurveda is the tridosha. For a human being to be healthy the three doshas have to be in harmony within him. The three doshas are vatha, pitha and kapha. The cosmos and all that exists in it is made of the pancha bhuthas, earth, water, fire, air and ether. Vatha is related to air and ether, pitha is related to fire and kapha is related to water and earth.
The three vital forces or doshas are in varied proportions in each individual. Predominance of vatha gives rise to an active and agile personality, predominance of pitha to a dynamic and short-tempered one, and kapha to a content and home loving one. This is known as the prakrithi or nature of a person.
These vital forces give rise to the three qualities of the mind based on various permutations and combinations. They are sattva, rajas and tamas. Sattva has in it equilibrium, harmony, peace. Rajas denotes activities like planning, taking action etc. Tamas can be best described as inertia, that which retards motion and brings down everything to a standstill.
Recommended reading: Textbook of Ayurveda
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herbal, remedy, ayurveda, home remedies
Ayurvedic Remedies
Ayurveda is a holistic system of healing which evolved among the holy sages of ancient India some 5000 years ago.
The aim of ayurveda is to establish and maintain balance of the life energies within each individual.
It recognizes the unique constitutional differences of all individuals and therefore recommends different regimens for different types of people. Although two people may appear to have the same outward symptoms, their energetic constitutions may be very different and therefore call for very different remedies.
Ayurveda is a complete medical system where health manifests by the grace of the Absolute acting through the laws of Nature (Prakriti). Ayurveda assists Nature by promoting harmony between the individual and Nature by living a life of balance according to her laws.
Ayurveda describes three fundamental universal energies which regulate all natural processes on both the macrocosmic and microcosmic levels. That is, the same energies which produce effects in the various galaxies and star systems are operating at the level of the human physiology--in your own physiology. These three universal energies are known as the Tridosha.
Finally, the ancient Ayurvedic physicians realized the need for preserving the alliance of the mind and body and offered mankind tools for remembering and nurturing the subtler aspects of our humanity. Ayurveda seeks to heal the fragmentation and disorder of the mind-body complex and restore wholeness and harmony to all people.
Ayurvedic Medicine was conceptualized and practiced as eight major clinical subspecialties of medicine in addition to numerous adjunctive specialties. The eight major subspecialties continue to be taught today and they include:
Internal Medicine (Kayachikitsa)
General Surgery (Shalya Tantra)
Otorhinolaryngology (Shalakya)
Pediatrics and Obstetric/Gynecology (Kaumarabhrtya)
Psychiatry (Bhutavidya)
Toxicology (Agada Tantra)
Nutrition, Detoxification and Rejuvenation (Rasayana Tantra)
Fertility and Virility (Vajikarana)
For every disease, there is information about: definition, etiology, prodrome, clinical symptoms, pathophysiology, prognosis, principles of treatment, medicines, diet, lifestyle recommendations, and even etymology. This approach is strikingly similar to that of modern medicine and even more comprehensive.
Over the last century, Ayurvedic Medicine has experienced a rebirth and has continued to evolve its holistic approach to health in accordance with modern needs and scientific advances of the day.
The aim of ayurveda is to establish and maintain balance of the life energies within each individual.
It recognizes the unique constitutional differences of all individuals and therefore recommends different regimens for different types of people. Although two people may appear to have the same outward symptoms, their energetic constitutions may be very different and therefore call for very different remedies.
Ayurveda is a complete medical system where health manifests by the grace of the Absolute acting through the laws of Nature (Prakriti). Ayurveda assists Nature by promoting harmony between the individual and Nature by living a life of balance according to her laws.
Ayurveda describes three fundamental universal energies which regulate all natural processes on both the macrocosmic and microcosmic levels. That is, the same energies which produce effects in the various galaxies and star systems are operating at the level of the human physiology--in your own physiology. These three universal energies are known as the Tridosha.
Finally, the ancient Ayurvedic physicians realized the need for preserving the alliance of the mind and body and offered mankind tools for remembering and nurturing the subtler aspects of our humanity. Ayurveda seeks to heal the fragmentation and disorder of the mind-body complex and restore wholeness and harmony to all people.
Ayurvedic Medicine was conceptualized and practiced as eight major clinical subspecialties of medicine in addition to numerous adjunctive specialties. The eight major subspecialties continue to be taught today and they include:
Internal Medicine (Kayachikitsa)
General Surgery (Shalya Tantra)
Otorhinolaryngology (Shalakya)
Pediatrics and Obstetric/Gynecology (Kaumarabhrtya)
Psychiatry (Bhutavidya)
Toxicology (Agada Tantra)
Nutrition, Detoxification and Rejuvenation (Rasayana Tantra)
Fertility and Virility (Vajikarana)
For every disease, there is information about: definition, etiology, prodrome, clinical symptoms, pathophysiology, prognosis, principles of treatment, medicines, diet, lifestyle recommendations, and even etymology. This approach is strikingly similar to that of modern medicine and even more comprehensive.
Over the last century, Ayurvedic Medicine has experienced a rebirth and has continued to evolve its holistic approach to health in accordance with modern needs and scientific advances of the day.
Ayurvedic remedies when taken under proper supervision offer effective cure to various ailments without any damaging side effects.
Source: www.niam.com/corp-web/index.htm
Disclaimer: All information provided in this blog is provided for historical and educational purposes only; statements contained here are reported in an effort to preserve traditional cultural lore and information. Nothing here should be construed as an attempt to diagnose, prescribe, or recommend treatment for any disease or condition. Please consult your physician for medical advice regarding any medical condition and do not use any of the historical information on this site without your physicians approval.
Source: www.niam.com/corp-web/index.htm
Disclaimer: All information provided in this blog is provided for historical and educational purposes only; statements contained here are reported in an effort to preserve traditional cultural lore and information. Nothing here should be construed as an attempt to diagnose, prescribe, or recommend treatment for any disease or condition. Please consult your physician for medical advice regarding any medical condition and do not use any of the historical information on this site without your physicians approval.
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