What is Ayurveda?

The word 'Ayurveda' comes from the word 'ayur' meaning 'life' and the word 'Veda' meaning 'to know'. Ayurveda means 'the science of life'. The World Health Organisation(W.H.O) recognises Ayurvedic Medicine System as an effective alternative system of medicine.

Literally "science of life," the healing tradition of ayurveda has been helping people take control of their own health and well-being for thousands of years. This time proven system of medicine has its glorious past in India and various other parts of the world. The medicinal system originated from India.

Ayurveda seeks balance between mind, body, spirit, senses and emotions which it states as total health. The biggest advantage about ayurveda is its acute effectiveness in complex diseases without side effects. Ayurveda couples its tested herbs with balanced diet approach to lead a human being towards a healthy path.

Up until sometime in the early '90s, not many people in the west had heard of Ayurvedic medicine. Since then, public figures and physicians like Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Vasant Lad and Dr. Robert Svoboda have brought this science to light in the west.

Aspects which distinguish Ayurveda in its approach to health care

• It focuses on establishing & maintaining balance of the life energies within us, rather than focusing on individual symptoms.

• It recogonizes the unique constitutional differences of all individuals & therefore recommends different regimens for different type of peoples.

• Ayurveda is a complete medical system which recogonizes that ultimately all intelligence & wisdom flows from one absolute source(Parmatma). Ayurveda assists Nature by promoting harmony between the individual & Nature by living a life of balance according to her laws.

• Ayurveda describes three fundamental universal energies which regulates all natural processes on both macrocosmic & microscopic levels .These are known as Tridosha. The concept and importance of constitutional variety is fundamental in Ayurveda. This is the notion that we are all different and so what may be medicine for one person may even harm another. There are as many unique constitutions as there are human beings. For the sake of practicality, Ayurveda has categorized three main constitutional types. These types (or doshas) are called “Vata,” “Pitta,” and “Kapha,” very roughly translated as “Air,” “Fire,” and “Water/Earth” respectively.
  
  The word dosha literally means “fault.” Vata, Pitta and Kapha are positive forces in the body but they are also faults, in a way, because they can change. They can increase or, less often, decrease beyond what is appropriate for our constitution. This vitiated dosha causes an imbalance in the body or mind, creating an environment for disease to flourish. There are ways to bring an increased dosha back into balance through diet, lifestyle and herbal supplements.
  
  Ayurvedic herbal supplements are used to reduce or pacify one or more doshas that have increased in our bodies. So, for instance, if you have too much Pitta or “fire” in your body, this may manifest as a hot, red, burning rash. Then you would choose an herb, or a combination of herbs that are cooling, and thereby “reduce” or “pacify” Pitta.

• Finally, the ancient Ayurvedic physicians realized the need for preserving the alliance of the mind & body & offers mankind tools for remembering & nurturing the subtler aspects of our humanity. Ayurveda seeks to heal the fragmentation & disorder of mind-body complex & restore wholeness & harmony to all people.

Ayurveda encompasses 8 main branches, hence also known as Ashtang-ayurveda.

• Internal Medicine

• Treatment of supra-clavicular disorders

• Pediatrics

• Geriatrics including Rejuvenation Therapy

• Surgery

• Psychiatry

• Toxicology

• Science of Aphrodisiacs

As a medical science in India, Ayurveda includes a comprehensive study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnostic systems and treatment strategies. An Ayurvedic physician in India must undergo a 5 ½ year post-graduate degree program (Bachelor's of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) to become qualified. Ayurveda is recognized by the World Health Organization as an effective, traditional health science.

Ayurveda finds increasing relevance and acceptance today in a rapidly integrating global market of competing Health Care Systems. A lot of money is being spent on R & D by both developed and developing countries to re-discover the values and efficacy of Ayurveda as an alternate system of medicines and treatment.