All about Ayurveda

Ayurveda, the "science of life", is the traditional medicine and the natural healing system of India and its cultural sphere. It is probably the oldest health care system in the world, with roots going back over 500 years into the Vedic era. Not surprisingly, it has been called the “Mother of all healing”.

Ayurveda is one of the most comprehensive healing systems in the world, dealing integrally with body, mind and spirit. It is allied with the profound yogic view of life and consciousness. Given its antiquity, we could say that it is the original medical system of which the modern medical systems are either derivations or deviations.

Ayurveda is not an alternative system because it does not need any help from other medical systems. Ayurveda is complete system of medicines in it self. It has its own anatomy, physiology, pathology and treatment. It has provided us with much knowledge in the field of human sciences.

Ayurveda is based on the idea that man is made up of body, mind and soul. Although Ayurveda has given more attention to the sharir or the body and brain aspect of the human being, it has never forgotten the shariri or the mind and soul.

Doshas
Ayurveda is based on the premise that everything in the universe is made up of three basic forces or doshas, namely Vata (air), Pitta (fire) and Kapha (earth). When these three forces are in harmony and balance within a person, then that person will be healthy, but if there is an imbalance anywhere, then that person will be prone to illness.

It is the job of the ayurvedic practitioner to alleviate distress-causing imbalances in the doshas, by prescribing one or more therapies out of a wide range of natural and conventional therapies.

The influence of Ayurveda
Ayurveda has had a strong influence throughout history on many systems of medicine, from the ancient Greeks in the West to the Chinese in the East. Ayurvedic herbs and formulas appear in traditional Chinese medicine, and an ayurvedic form of acupuncture also exists.

Ayurveda is the basis of Tibetan medicine, which combined Ayurveda along with Indian Buddhism. Tibetan medicine consists of predominantly Ayurveda with a secondary influence of traditional Chinese medicine. Forms of Ayurveda exist in Nepal, Sri Lanka and Burma, and to some extent in Thailand.

Vedic and yogic science
Ayurveda is based upon the great stream of Vedic Spiritual knowledge. This is the older spiritual tradition behind the later religions of India, particularly Hinduism, from which the whole of Indian culture derived and diversified. So Ayurveda is…

• the medical aspect of the spiritual science we call “Vedic Science”.
• the “Veda,” the knowledge, wisdom or spiritual science of “Ayur,” life or longevity.

Ayurveda was originally classified as a supplementary Veda (Upaveda), of which it is the foremost one. Other important branches of the Vedas include Vedangas, limbs of the Vedas, which are closer to the Vedas than the Upavedas, the most important of which is Vedic Astrology (Jyotish), commonly used along with Ayurveda.

Yoga and Ayurveda
The practical side of Vedic Science is the system of Yoga. Yoga develops the ideas of Vedic philosophy into tools for the development of consciousness. Yoga is not merely asana or yoga postures but the entire science of meditation. Vedic Science is also called “Yogic Science”.

Ayurveda, therefore, is the healing branch or medical side of the system of yoga. It was devised by the yogis and seers to allow for maximum longevity for the pursuit of Yoga, as well as the other legitimate aims of life, and is a gift of their wisdom and compassion.

“Ayur” or “life” in Ayurveda is described as the harmony of the higher self (Atman), mind (manas), the all-pervading vital energy of the universe (prana), senses and body. This idea of life is not merely physical but includes all aspects of our being and shows the broad and integral scope of ayurvedic theory and practice.

The treatment

Constitutional examination
The most important factor in Ayurveda is “the determination of individual constitution” (Prakriti Pariksha). Once an ayurvedic practitioner has learnt the basic principles of ayurvedic anatomy and physiology, he/she has the background knowledge to recognise the different conditions of the doshas in different individuals.

Even if we cannot diagnose all diseases in detail, if we can ascertain the basic constitution, we can still function as effective health educators and establish an appropriate life-regimen. It is then that proper diet, general herbs, oils, massage and other safe, but effective treatments can be prescribed.

According to Ayurveda, the superior physician is one who can recognize the doshas in their various states, not necessarily one who knows how to diagnose many diseases. While the former knowledge gives us the knowledge of the life force and how to balance it, the latter gets us caught in the disease as the primary factor and ceases to be holistic. While Western medicine is more concerned with classifying the disease, Ayurveda aims at understanding the life force beneath it and learning to work with it.

Getting a complete picture of the patient
It is up to the practitioner to find out as much as possible about every facet of the patient's life that can affect his/her health, including things like their character and personality, medical history and their astrological sign. Once the practitioner has a complete picture of the patient, it is up to him/her to identify the imbalances within the doshas and to prescribe appropriate treatments that will alleviate these distress-causing imbalances.

Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe different types of remedies and therapies ranging from detoxification (by way of baths, steam and essential oils), massage, conventional surgery, herbal medicines and meditation. Dietary advice will also be given and a form of exercise that is appropriate to your condition may be prescribed. Ayurvedic medicine can be used to treat any complaint, but often it is required of the patient to make numerous return visits.

Ayurvedic treatment
Ayurvedic treatment is based on three steps: medicines, therapy and lifestyle management. The practitioner chooses the therapy/therapies that are appropriate to the patient's constitution and his/her particular dosha imbalance. A practitioner may choose from an extensive range of therapies and medicines.

Lifestyle management
Usually I perform lifestyle management therapy on groups of about five to seven people. I take them to hillside for one to two weeks, where I teach them ideal lifestyle techniques, including ahhaar (balanced diet), vihhaar (yoga and pranayama) and vichaar (thought) I try to change their way of thinking through the use of music therapy and meditation.

Our centre also performs beauty therapies such as facials and treats hair problems, blemishes and wrinkles.

I also run a sex-counselling (vaajikarna) clinic where I treat patients with medicines and psychotherapy.

My centre is very successful. People who modern medicines have been unable to treat, are developing faith in ayurveda. I am also treating people with chronic diseases such as psoriasis, allergies, arthritis, obesity, hypertension and chronic fatigue syndrome.

What causes disease?
The human tridosha equilibrium (HTE), or the balance of Vata (air), Pitta (fire) and Kapha, is basis for health and disease. These three doshas are equally important in maintaining the mental health of a person.

The entire human physiology as per Ayurveda is dependent upon the three basic factors known as doshas. Doshas may be defined as a factor of Prana (vital energy), which constitutes the individual's parkriti (a person’s fundamental nature), controls the physiological functions and initiates pathology changes.

The term doshas means "the ones". If these doshas are individually or collectively increased or decreased, they are capable of corrupting the body tissues and organs and disease ensues.

The primary aim of the Ayurveda is to restore the balance of the three doshas and hence ensure good health. In order to derive any benefit from Ayurveda, it is of utmost importance that we evaluate all individual constitutions on the basis of these three doshas.

Ayurvedic types

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian form of medicine and healing that is based on the premise that everything in the universe is made up of three basic forces or doshas, namely Vata (air), Pitta (fire) and Kapha (earth). When these three forces are in harmony within a person, that person will be healthy. To alleviate distress-causing imbalances in the doshas, Ayurvedic practitioners prescribe different types of exercise, amongst other things.

Find out what Ayurvedic type you are, Vata, Pitta or Kapha, and then see what exercises you are naturally more inclined to. Then try out the exercises that are suited to your type to rebalance your doshas.

[This article was written by Ayurvedic health care practitioner, Dr Roshan Singh. For more information on Ayurveda, you can contact him on (031) 262 2622 or send an email to ayurveda@31.co.za]