Simple
DefinitionAyurveda is a holistic system of medicine from India that
uses a constitutional model. Its aim is to provide guidance regarding food
and lifestyle so that healthy people can stay healthy and folks with health
challenges can improve their health.
There are several aspects to
Ayurveda that are quite unique:
- Its recommendations will often be different for each person regarding
which foods and which lifestyle they should follow in order to be
completely healthy. This is due to it's use of a constitutional model.
- Everything in Ayurveda is validated by observation, inquiry, direct
examination and knowledge derived from the ancient texts.
- It understands that there are energetic forces that influence nature
and human beings. These forces are called the Tridoshas.
- Because Ayurveda sees a strong connection between the mind and the
body, a huge amount of information is available regarding this
relationship.
OriginAyurveda is an intricate system of
healing that originated in India thousands of years ago. We can find
historical evidence of Ayurveda in the ancient books of wisdom known as the
Vedas. In the Rig Veda, over 60 preparation were mentioned that could be
used to assist an individual in overcoming various ailments. The Rig Veda
was written over 6,000 years ago, but really Ayurveda has been around even
longer than that. What we see is that Ayurveda is more than just a medical
system. It is a Science of Life. We are all part and parcel of nature. Just
as the animals and plants live in harmony with nature and utilize the Laws
of Nature to create health and balance within their beings, we, too, adhere
to these very same principles. Therefore, it is fair to say that Ayurveda is
a system that helps maintain health in a person by using the inherent
principles of nature to bring the individual back into equilibrium with
their true self. In essence Ayurveda has been in existence since the
beginning of time because we have always been governed by nature's laws.
MeaningAyurveda is made up of two
Sanskrit words: Ayu, which means life and Veda, which means the knowledge
of. To know about life is Ayurveda. However, to fully comprehend the vasts
cope of Ayurveda let us first define "Ayu" or life. According to
the ancient Ayurvedic scholar Charaka, "ayu" is comprised of four
essential parts. The combination of mind, body, senses and the soul.
PrinciplesNow
that we have a better understanding of what comprises life, let's look at
some of the principles of Ayurveda and how they might affect us. In Ayurveda
we view a person as a unique individual made up of five primary elements.
The elements are ether (space), air, fire, water, and earth. Just as in
nature, we too have these five elements in us. When any of these elements
are present in the environment, they will in turn have an influence on us.
The foods we eat and the weather are just two examples of the presence of
these elements. While we are a composite of these five primar y elements,
certain elements are seen to have an ability to combine to create various
physiological functions. Ether and air combine to form what is known in
Ayurveda as the Vata dosha. Vata governs the principle of movement and
therefore can be seen as the force which directs nerve impulses,
circulation, respiration, and elimination. Fire and water are the elements
that combine to form the Pitta dosha. The Pitta dosha is the process of
transf ormation or metabolism. The transformation of foods into nutrients
that our bodies can assimilate is an example of a pitta function. Pitta is
also responsible for metabolism in the organ and tissue systems as well as
cellular metabolism. Finally, it is pr edominantly the water and earth
elements, which combine to form the Kapha dosha. Kapha is what is
responsible for growth, adding structure unit by unit. Another function of
the Kapha dosha is to offer protection. Cerebral-sp inal fluid protects the
brain and spinal column and is a type of Kapha found in the body. Also, the
mucousal lining of the stomach is another example of the Kapha dosha
protecting the tissues. We are all made up of unique proportions of Vata,
Pitta and Ka pha. These ratios of the doshas vary in each individual; and
because of this, Ayurveda sees each person as a special mixture that
accounts for our diversity.
Ayurveda gives us a model to look at
each individual as a unique makeup of the three doshas and to thereby design
treatment protocols that specifically address a person's health challenges.
When any of the doshas ( Vata, Pitta or Kapha ) become accumulated, Ayurveda
will suggest specific lifestyle and nutritional guidelines to assist the
individual in reducing the dosha that has become excessive. We may also
suggest certain herbal supplemen ts to hasten the healing process. If toxins
in the body are abundant, then a cleansing process known as Pancha Karma is
recommended to eliminate these unwanted toxins.
ConclusionThis
understanding that we are all unique individuals enables Ayurveda to address
not only specific health concerns but also offers explanation as to why one
person responds differently than another. We hope that you will continue to
explore Ayurveda to enhance your health and to gain further insights into
this miracle we call life.
Unwind and begin life anew.
