Ayurveda is defined as ayuh + veda. Ayuh means life and Veda signifies knowledge. Therefore by its definition Ayurveda lifts itself beyond the realms of diseases and treatments. It treats life as a single composite phenomenon. Ayurveda in Sanskrit means "the science of Life". It is an ancient, unfailing system of treatment based on medicines prepared from herbal plants found in abundance in India. Ayurveda is an integral part of the people of India. This ancient knowledge system of medicine has gained global acceptance especially for alternative ways of preventive, curative and rejuvenative processes making life a more pleasurable experience. This has a holistic approach and it helps maintain the balance of the physiological systems and plays a vital role in preventing diseases and revitalising the entire life system body, mind and soul.

The knowledge of ayurveda dates back to the epoch of Rig Veda. This knowledge is said to have been passed down generations by sages and wise men. Charak and Sushrut played a major role in shaping the present day ayurveda.

The Ayurveda treats the human body as a part and parcel of nature. According to it, the nature has five predominant elements :

Space / ether (Akash)
Air (Vaayu)
Water (Jal)
Fire / Light (Agni /Tejas)
Earth ( Prithvi)

The human body also has significant proportions of the above five elements. Some of these combine with one another to produce a certain effect on the body.

Ether and air combine to form the Vata dosha.
Fire and water combine to form the Pitta dosha.
The Water and Earth elements combine to form what is known in Ayurveda as the Kapha dosha.

Every individual is made up of unique proportions of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The ratios of the doshas vary in each individual and thus each person is treated as a unique case by Ayurveda.

The "Ayuh" in ayurveda comprises four components - mind, body, senses and soul. Any interaction with society or nature that has an impact on either of these four components results in disturbing the natural balance. This disturbance reflects itself in disorder of Vata, Pitta and Kapha balance, thereby resulting in various diseases. The primary objective of Ayurveda is to restore that order and thus cure the diseases.

Ayurveda where and How ?

Beauty parlours, at all major hotels, once catered exclusively to women, now have men’s section offering hair cuts and shaves. Today, there is a comprehensive range of skin and hair treatments for both men and women – hair massages with herbal oil, herbal face packs, manicures and pedicures – in fact everything that would be available in London or New York, as beauticians are usually trained there. Herbal cosmetic products, tonics and oils are widely used in India and a massage with herbal oils after a hectic day of activity is marvelously relaxing. Many of these are now available in department stores in the West.

Classification of diseases

Disease in general is defined as state of discomfort, pain and/ or injury to the body and mind .

Fairly elaborate classification of diseases is done in Ayurveda. Three major classifications are done for all diseases :

Adhibhautika: Environmental : caused by the environment
Adhidaihika : Constitutional (physical and psychic)
Aadhidaivika: Para Physical (Given by gods or due to influence of evil spirits)

Some common diseases are explained according to Ayurveda

• Fever:- The doshas, vaata, kapha, and pitta when disturbed either singly or in combination, cause fever. Due to over- eating of incompatible foods, the doshas reach the gastro intestinal tract and cause the internal gastric fire (responsible for digestion of foods)in moving upwards thereby causing fever. Treatment is so defined so as to set the fire element in its right place.

• Diarrhoea:- The gastric fire is imbalanced due to presence of excessive water element. Large quantities are expelled by body . Treatment is done by restoring balance of the watery element.

• Gastritis:- This is caused by increase of Pitta & treatment revolves around restoring the Pitta element.

• Rheumatism:- Eating incompatible foods , lack of physical exercise & various other factors cause improper digestion. The half digested food associates itself with Vaata and moves around in the body. It impairs kapha function & therefore movement also gets disorderly. This results in weakness of the heart & loss of strength, feeling of heaviness, stiffness of the body .

• Heart disease:- The doshas having undergone morbid changes vitiate the blood and similar fluids (like plasma). These localise themselves in the heart and cause various problems with its functioning.

• Skin problems:- Caused by an impaired Pitta.

Next  >>

  Disclaimer | About Us | Contact Us

©Copyright BestOnHealth Ltd. 2002-2003
Site best viewed with Internet Explore 5.5 onwards at 800x600 screen resolution.