Indian Medicine at its best!
What is Ayurveda?
The word Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words “ayus” and “Veda.” The ayus refer to life, health, or well-being, while Vedas are a set of ancient Indian texts that contain knowledge about Medicine, Science, philosophy, religion, etc. Thus, Ayurveda means “the Science of Life” in English. Ayurveda defines health as being free from disease and fullness. According to Ayurveda, food plays a central role in maintaining good health because it nourishes both body and mind. To achieve these goals,
Ayurveda prescribes three main approaches: diet, lifestyle, and herb.
What is the History of Ayurveda?
According to legend, Ayurveda was born when Lord Brahma saw his son Vishnu bathing in the Ganges River. The river water had turned into milk due to the heat of the sun. When he looked down upon this miracle, Brahma realized how much time had passed since creation and decided to teach humanity the art of health through herbs. He taught humans how to use these plants to treat their ailments and heal themselves.
What are the Different Components of Ayurveda?
- Arogyavada Arogyadham – Medicine for longevity
- Balyogikarma Balyoga – Surgery
- Dravyaguna Dravya Gana – Pharmacology
- Nidiyuktha Nidhi Vigyan – Study of diseases
- Rakshah Shodhaka Raksa Hridrogika – Treatment of blood disorders
- Shalakya Shalakya Chikitsa – Internal treatment.
- Nidana Tantra: diagnosis and prognosis; surgery
- Dravya tantras: materia medica
- Raktaparinama: pharmacology
Balancing the Three Principle Energies of the Body in Ayurveda
Ayurvedic Medicine recognizes three principle energies within the human being: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These principles govern all bodily functions, including digestion, metabolism, circulation, respiration, elimination, reproduction, growth, development, immunity, sleep patterns, emotions, intelligence, memory, speech, and movement. The first two principles represent the fire element, while the third represents water. Each of these elements governs different aspects of our lives.
Panchkarma: Cleansing Program A pachamahridaya consists of five steps:
1. Virechanana – purifying the digestive tract
2. Nauli – colonic irrigation
3. Basti – enema
4. Medicated oil massage
5. Abhyanga – whole-body massage
These procedures remove impurities from the system and restore its normal functioning. Each step removes specific types of impurity.
How do practitioners make diagnoses and decide upon treatments?
The diagnosis begins with observation. By examining them, a skilled practitioner can tell if someone has high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, heart problems, or other illnesses. In addition, they may notice signs that indicate imbalances, such as excess heat, coldness, dryness, or dampness in various bodily tissues.
What are the Benefits of Ayurveda?
A holistic approach to health care based on traditional Indian Medicine. A unique opportunity to learn from one of the world’s oldest healing systems while immersed in rural India. The benefits include:
- Strengthens your Immunity.
- Restores the balance of our body.
- Soothes and provokes a deep sense of refreshment.
Is Ayurvedic Medicine Safe?
The World Health Organization has stated that there is no scientific evidence to support claims made by some manufacturers about the health benefits of their herbal medicines, including those sold as “traditional” or “alternative.” The WHO also states that many herbs have been shown in clinical trials to be unsafe for humans. However, it does not mean they are dangerous; instead, they may cause side effects when misused.
Conclusion – What does the Science say About the Effectiveness of Ayurvedic Medicine?
Ayurvedic medicines are used by millions of Americans every year. However, there has never been any rigorous testing of their effectiveness. In fact, until recently, it was illegal to test them because they were considered part of an alternative healing tradition rather than conventional Medicine. But now, researchers at Harvard Medical School are conducting randomized controlled trials to determine whether some popular Ayurvedic treatments work better than placebo pills. The results will provide
important information about how effective Ayurvedic remedies are.