History of Ayurveda
From the ancient language Sanskrit, Ayur translates to Life, while veda translates to body of knowledge or science.
Ayur veda = Science of Life
|
 |
Ayurveda is the ancient traditional Indian Medicine that is said to be thousands of years old. The Ayurvedic medical system is still used by millions in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka and now gaining fast popularity in the West. The Ayurveda system is vast and has many layers from preventive care to surgery to cancer treatment. What's unique about Ayurveda is that it takes into account the whole of a person to heal; the mind, body and the spirit are all part of the human being. If either aspect of the self is impaired the entire system is effected. In Ayurveda the patient is empowered to take responsibility for their own health. This is so important and missing in Allopathy since our diets, life styles and habits are the biggest enemy to our health. It is not healing if a person is working 12 hours a day in a high stress environment and drinking coffee 5 times a day to "function" and then take a daily dose of drugs to keep his or her blood pressure down. This body is a gift from nature and we have to give it proper nourishment and care and as a healing process we personally have to rethink our lifestyle, diet and habits to keep this body and self at its optimal health.
If one was to simplify Ayurveda, it is based on the 3 dosha system; dosha meaning the natural constitution of the body. The 3 dosha are Vata (vat), Pitta (pith), Kapha (Kafh). Each dosha is associated with an element which is associated with physical, emotional and behavioral traits. Vata is associated with Ether and Air; Pitta with Fire and Water; Kafh with Water and Earth.
Ayurveda is a holistic system to keep the entire You healthy, balanced and happy. This includes your physical, mental and spiritual health. In the ayurveda system, you can not treat a person by looking at just isolated aspects of the being. The spiritual imbalance can express imbalance in the emotional state, which in turn can express havoc on the physical level.
There are many varieties of Ayurveda treatments that can be specific to a medical condition or a general treatment that can be applicable for variety of conditions and imbalances. |
