Knowledge of Life, Knowledge of well being
Ayurveda originated from the crystallization of ancient Indian wisdom in the reference to health, diseases and remedies with its word meaning AYU=LIFE and VEDA=KNOWLEDGE. Ayurveda is considered as a corollary of Atharvaveda. It’s a qualitative, holistic science of health and longevity, a holistic system of healing which includes individual, mind and body.
This unique Indian system of medicine is based on the concept of the thridhosha (the bio- energetic forces namely vata, pitta and kapha) and it postulates that health = harmonious existence of these forces and that their disharmony results in diseases. Ayurveda analyzes individuals constitution and define varieties in disease manifestation. As Ayurveda sees it, the symptoms of a disease are but the body calling attention to states of disequilibrium.
Ayurveda offers specific recommendations to each individual on lifestyle, diet, exercise and yoga, herbal therapy and even spiritual practice to restore and maintain balance in body and mind. The healing process in Ayurveda is as oriented as to restore the lost equilibrium and to bring the patient back into harmony with the environment. This genuinely Indian system of medicine was natured and developed by great exponents of the system like Charaka, Susrutha, Vagbhata and has achieved pride of place among the various holistic systems of medicines.
As per Ayurveda, the living thing is a conglomeration of Tridoshas (vata, pitta, kapha) – 3 humurs, Sapthadhathus (rasa ,raktha, mamsa medha, ashti, majja, sukra) – 7 body tissues and Trimalas (sveda, mutra, purisha) – 3 waste products.
Health as per Ayurveda is a state where
- Tridosha are in equilibrium with the individual Prakriti
- Sapthadhatus are in the proper state of strength and integrity
- Agni (digestive fire) are balanced resulting in proper appetite, digestion and assimilation
- Trimalas are produced and eliminated in a regular manner
- Indriyas (sense organs) are functioning normally and the mind is undisturbed
- Individual is experiencing happiness and contentment.
Disease is considered as the vikriti or disharmony of the above criteria’s of health. During this time of vikriti diet, medications and other treatment methodologies are used to either decrease or increase these doshas until the harmony is restored based on the shadrasa and chathur vimshadiguna ( 24 qualitative properties) concept of ayurveda.
Each person is born with a unique constitution called Prakrithi, Henceforth the selection of diet and medications should be in accordance to their particular body constitution. Ayurveda is thus a traditional system of medicine in india that seek to treat and integrate body, mind and spirit using a comprehensive holistic approach especially by emphasizing diet, herbal remedies, exercises ,meditation and physical therapies.
Dual Aims of Ayurveda
- To maintain the health of the healthy individual
- To treat the disease of the diseased.
PANCHAMAHABHOOTA CONCEPT OF AYURVEDA
According to Ayurveda all matter is composed of 5 basic elements called panchamahabhootha which exhibit the properties of earth, water, fire, wind and space, the combined formulation of these make the nature, in which there distribution is different for each element they form. Under normal conditions the dosha, dhatu and malas correspond to certain standard regarding their quantity, quality and functions, however this situation is not static and due to several endogenous and exogenous factors the doshas may become imbalanced resulting in disease rogasthudoshavaishamyam, every disease is related to imbalance of doshas. Ayurveda will support specific lifestyle and nutritional guidelines to assist the individual in making the doshic balance. For removing the toxins,rejuvinating and cleansing the body the most effective panchakarma therapy is recommended.