About Science of Life: Ayurveda

Introduction:

Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayu, which means life or longevity, and veda, which means science or knowledge. It is combinedly known as Ayurveda, which is the science of life or longevity. Ayurveda is one of the ancient systems of traditional medicine. The principles of Ayurveda are to maintain the health of a healthy individual and to alleviate disease in an ill person.

What Is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine that originated in India more than 3000 years ago. Ayurveda translates to knowledge of life, and it is based on the idea that disease is caused due to stress or imbalance in a person’s consciousness. Ayurveda encourages certain natural therapies and lifestyle interventions to regain balance between the mind, body, spirit, and the environment. The ayurvedic treatments start with an internal purification process, followed by a special diet, massage therapy, herbal remedies, medication, and yoga. The primary basis of ayurvedic medicine is the concepts of universal interconnectedness, life forces (doshas), and the body’s constitution (Prakriti). Some of the specialties of Ayurveda to live a healthy life are,

1. Dinacharya (daily regime).

2. Ritucharya (seasonal regime).

3. Sadvritta (conducts and behavior).

4. Ahara vidhi niyama, which is dietary rules, compatible diets, etc.

What Is the History of Ayurveda?

Ayurveda was attributed to Dhanvantari, the physician to the gods in Hindu mythology, who received it from Brahma. It is the earliest concept found in the Vedas, known as Atharvaveda. The Vedas have mentioned magical practices for the treatment of diseases. The main conditions mentioned are cough, fever, consumption, diarrhea, abscesses, generalized edema, seizures, skin diseases, and tumors. There are numerous herbs mentioned for the treatment of these conditions.

What Are the Specialties of Ayurveda?

There are eight specialties of Ayurveda:

1. Kayachikitsa - Internal medicine.

2. Baalachikitsa - Pediatrics.

3. Grahachikitsa - Demonology.

4. Urdhvangachikitsa - Diseases of the head and neck.

5. Vishachikitsa - Toxicology.

6. Vrshachikitsa - Aphrodisiac therapy.

7. Shalyachikitsa - Surgery.

8. Jarachikitsa - Rejuvenation.

What Are the Doshas in Ayurveda?

In Ayurveda, it is believed that every person is made up of five elements found in the universe, namely, air, fire, water, space, and earth. They combine in the human body to form three energies or life forces known as doshas. Everybody inherits a unique mix of the three doshas. Each one of them controls a different body function. It is believed that the chances of developing health issues or getting sick are related to the balance of these doshas.

1. Vata Dosha - It is believed to be the most powerful dosha of all the three. It controls the basic body functions, such as how cells divide. It also controls the breathing, mind, heart function, blood flow, and ability to get rid of waste through the intestines. Things that can affect it are fear, eating again too soon after a meal, grief, and staying up too late. If Vata dosha is the main life force, conditions like asthma, anxiety, skin problems, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease are more likely to develop.

2. Pitta Dosha - This dosha controls the digestion, metabolism, and certain hormones linked to the appetite. It can be disrupted by things such as spending too much time in the sun and eating spicy or sour foods. If it is the main life force, conditions like heart disease, Crohn's disease, infections, and high blood pressure can develop.

3. Kapha Dosha - This dosha controls body strength and stability, muscle growth, weight, and immune system. It can be disrupted by things such as eating too many sweet foods, drinking, and eating things that contain too much water or salt. If it is the main life force, conditions such as asthma and other breathing disorders, diabetes, nausea after eating, cancer, and obesity are believed to develop.

What Is the Cause of Development of Disease According to Ayurveda?

In Ayurveda, an imbalance between three doshas (humor) that is Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, is described as the main factor in the development of any disease.

There are seven dhatus (tissue or cells) in the human body. These are,

1. Rasa (plasma).

2. Rakta (blood cells).

3. Mamsa (muscle).

4. Meda (fat).

5. Asthi (bone).

6. Majja (bone marrow).

7. Shukra (sperm and ovum).

Vitiation of doshas affects different dhatus in the body and causes various diseases. For example, vitiation of Vata dosha due to various factors leads to disorders of asthi dhatu like osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, etc.

What Are the Treatment Approaches in Ayurveda?

• In Ayurveda, the approach of different medicines and other treatment modalities is individualistic. Thus ayurvedic management of diseases is according to the person and not to the disease.

• The goal of ayurvedic treatment is to cleanse the body of undigested food that stays in the body, causing an illness. The cleansing process is called Panchakarma, which is designed to reduce the symptoms and restore balance and harmony.

• Consideration of different factors like Prakriti (temperament or constitution or nature), Vaya (age), Bala (strength), Kala (time), etc., makes Ayurveda a very individually focused system of medicine.

• The use of different herbs and herbo-mineral formulations indicated in different diseased conditions are described in various ayurvedic classical texts.

• Panchakarmas are the specialized five chief treatment procedures in Ayurveda that maintain homeostasis within the body and perform detoxification and rejuvenation. Specialized Ayurveda therapies like Kati Vasti, Greeva Vasti, Patra Pinda Swedana, and Shirodhara are meant for different musculoskeletal and neurological diseases.

• Ayurvedic specialists take both the preventive and curative approaches.

• Preventive Approach - It seeks to maintain and create health and longevity within the individual. It focuses on defining each person’s constitution (Prakriti) and creating daily and periodic regimens to support Prakriti and keep it in balance. It includes diet and exercise, herbal therapies, meditation, massage and social behavior, and positive relationships.

• Curative Approach - It focuses on healing an illness which can be achieved by internal measures like detoxification, external measures such as oil treatments, steam therapy and use of herbal pastes, surgical methods that include removal of organs, tissues and harmful growths, herbal measures like use of various herbal and trace metal formulations and mental and spiritual therapies.

Conclusion:

In Ayurveda, perfect health is defined as a balance between the mind, body, spirit, and social wellbeing. Ayurveda emphasizes the unshakable connection between these. It is believed that there is a deep connection between the self and the environment. However, the Ayurveda's connectedness reaches far beyond the individual, extending into the universe.