What Is the Meaning of Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is Sanskrit for "science of life." It is a method for treating illnesses that combines herbs, changes to diet and other therapies, such as yoga to treat illnesses. Ayurvedic medicine differs form Western approaches to treatment in that the symptoms of illnesses are seen as resulting from imbalances of lifestyle or environmental influences, such as stress, an unhealthy diet or an emotional upset. Ayurveda addresses these factors, as well as the physical ailments themselves.
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Origins
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Ayurvedic approaches to healing were developed 5,000 years ago in India. Initially the remedies were transmitted by an oral tradition, without treatments being written down and catalogued. Ayurvedic diagnoses, healing methods and philosophies began to be compiled in four sacred spiritual books called the "vedas." It is these books that form the basis for ayurvedic medicine. Originally ayurvedic physicians were also Hindu priests, as it was believed philosophies and cures were divinely inspired.
Ayurvedic Physiology
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The basis of ayurvedic medicine is treatment of the three energies, or "doshas," present in the human body: the "vata," which controls the body's movement, circulation and breathing; the "pitta", which directs the body's metabolism, including digestion; and the "kapha," which controls bodily growth and temperature. Disease occurs when these energy centers are imbalanced through stress, bad eating habits or unhealthy emotions. Environmental factors such as weather may also play a role in unbalancing these energies.
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Diagnosis
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The focus of ayurvedic treatment restoration of balance to the doshas. This entails a detailed examination of the patient's physiological state, such as digestion, breathing and waste disposal. Other factors, such as a patient's emotional state of mind, family life and work habits, are also examined. These are believed in ayurvedic medicine to affect how the body balances its energies, as they may induce stress, causing illness. Eating habits are scrutinized because improper diet can adversely affect each of the doshas and cause disease.
Treatment
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Depending on the diagnosis, a variety of ayurvedic remedies are recommended. These may include breathing exercises coupled with recitation of mantras, and suggestions for amendments to lifestyle habits, such as a change in everyday routine. This is designed to reduce stress, which contributes to dosha imbalance. Yoga may also be suggested as a stress reliever. Other treatments may include purging the body of toxins, oil treatments for the skin and meditation exercises.
Medications
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Ayurvedic medicine includes the use of herbs such as winter cherry (Withania somnifera), boswellia (Boswellia serrata), and turmeric (Curcuma longa). Spices, such as ginger and saffron, are also used. Certain ayurvedic medicines are available in capsules and tablets. Some of them, however, have been found to contain levels of lead, arsenic and mercury that exceed recommended safety levels as set down by the Environmental Protection Agency.
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References
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