Ayurveda is the system of traditional medicine in India. It is based on many centuries of experience in medical practice, handed down through generations. Composed of two Sanskrit words, "Ayu" or life, and "Veda" or knowledge, Ayurveda is regarded as "The Science of Life" and the practice involves the care of physical, mental and spiritual health of human beings. Ayurveda is also based on sound ecological awareness of the place of animals, birds and plants in relation to human life. The time honored, well tested ancient formulas of Ayurvedic medicines use natural herbs, minerals and even gems, to cure disease and to promote immunity and there are no deadly experiments on animals in the lab.
As with the tradition of hippocrates in Western medicine, the Ayurvedic tradition derives its inspiration from an ancient lineage. The practitioners of this tradition believe that at differentcycles of Creation, the supreme Creator Brahma inspired the sages to compose the vedas, of which Ayurveda is one of the branches. The Vedic writings have become the commandment like scriptures of Indian civilization and are regarded as the eternal source of knowledge. It is likely that the writings of Ayurveda are the earliest medical writings known to humanity. The moral emphasis in this discipline is that the knowledge is to be used for thebenefit of humanity. Hence you will often find the practitioners of Ayurveda talk in terms personal matters and use terminology like God, the Spirit and Nature as opposed to money matters, insurance policies and patient turn around time.
The names of famous medical practitioners in Ayurveda are sages like Charak, Shusrut, Vagbhatt, and Atrey. Side by side with the intense study of biology and botany, these early masters perfected the system of Yoga, which is a common household word in the West and an integral part of Ayurvedic medical practice. Due to its long history, in-depth clinical experience, and a dedicated sense of service, Ayurveda can be regarded as a kind of science of life. In search of balance and harmony in the complicated personality of the human being, the practitioners of Ayurveda look for the control and direction of the 'vital breath of life', where the spirit, the body and the mind are in harmony. Thus Ayurveda emphasizes the psychology of emotional adjustment in conjunction with drugs, diet, and other habits meant for healthy living. "Prevention is better than cure," is a strong principle in this practice and preventive medicine and self-control are given prime importance in Ayurveda.
According to a Hindu philosophy, the evolution of a human being becomes possible after he/she has lived through 840,000 previous births. This symbolic figure is meant to emphasize the uniqueness of our humanity. It implies that the human race is special and that our goal is to rediscover and cherish our existence upon this earth. Ayurveda accepts this symbolism. It also emphasizes the connection between humans and other worlds, making our race a part of the larger universe. Ayurveda subscribes to these values of cherishing life and discovery of meaning in our existence.
Another goal in Ayurveda is to achieve Nirvana or liberation from all kinds of "wants". This is primarily achieved through good health, which is regarded as the supreme foundation of life. A healthy and happy person is no burden to anyone and with the right attitude can contribute to the welfare of others as well as his own. This state of being is called Virtue in Sanskrit meaning leading a virtuous life. Its opposite is Kamma or temptation, which is accompanied by irregular living and disease. With this view, Ayurveda cultivates the awareness that balanced living leads us to being virtuous or to Nirvana and freedom from all "wants".
In clinical terms, Ayurveda advocates that our health is regulated by three fundamental values, called vata, pitta, and kapha. Vata governs movement, Pitta is concerned with functions of heat, metabolism, and energy production and Kapha, governs physical structure and fluid balance. As a group they are known as the quality of "dosha", or imperfections. These three factors govern all the activities of our mind and body and they have to be balanced through intelligent choices for optimal health. The main purpose of Ayurvedic treatments is to establish the balance in these three fundamental qualities.
The sub branches of Ayurvedic medical knowledge.
Kaya chikitsa or Internal medicine
Salya tantra or Surgery
Salakya tantra or Management of diseases of Eye & ENT
kaumar bhutya or Pediatrics
Bhutavidya or Psycho-therapy including Seizures by evil spirits
Agada tantra or Toxicology
Rasayana tantra or Geriatrics
Vajikarana tantra or the Science of aphrodisiacs
Ayurveda includes the Astronomical science, Astrology including Indian philosophy. Health is the supreme foundation of Virtue, Wealth, Kamma and diseases are the destroyers of Life and Shreyas. According to Hinduism after eighty four lacs of births, a human being is evolved; hence human form is the only stage when man can liberate himself from this cycle of births and deaths. Thus, man's life is the most significant and precious in which he has to strive hard for Liberation-Nirvana.
With this view in mind Ayurveda denotes that this body, the media to Nirvana is to be cared for, just as a Mayor takes care of the city and charioteer daily oils his axle and keeps clean, similarly one has to take care of his body.
Ayurveda prescribes "dos and don'ts" for the preservation as well as promotion of positive health and prevention as well as cure of diseases.
Your health can be simplified to three fundamental principles of nature called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha [these three are called Dosha]. These three factors govern all the activities of your mind and body. When they are in balance , health is optimal. The main purpose of all Ayurvedic treatments is to establish balance in these three fundamental principles.
vata : Governs bodily functions concerned with movement.
Pitta : Governs bodily functions concerned with heat, metabolism, and energy production
Kapha : Governs bodily functions concerned with physical structure , and fluid balance
vata : Moving quick, light, cold, minutes, rough dry, leads the order Doshas.
Pitta : hot, sharp, light, acidic, slightly, oily.
Kapha : heavy, oily, slow, cold, steady, solid, dull.
Mental alertness.
Proper formation of body tissues
Normal alimentation.
Strong immunity
Sound sleep
Sense of exhilaration
Normal heat and thirst mechanism
Strong digestion
Sharp intellect
Lustrous complexion
Contentment
Results of balance Kapha
Strong immunity
Affection, generosity, courage, dignity
Healthy ,Normal, Joints
Vitality and stamina
Stability of mind
Dry or Rough Skin
Constipation
Common fatigue ( non-specific cause )
Tension headaches
Underweight
Insomnia
Intolerance of cold
Anxiety, worry
Rashes, skin inflammations
Heartburn
Premature graying, baldness
Hostility, irritability
Visual problems
Excessive body heat
Oily skin
Sinus congestion
Obesity
Slow digestion
Nasal allergies
Lethargy, dullness
Sweet : Sugar, milk, butter, rice, breads, Pasta
Sour : Yogurt, lemon, cheese
Salty : Salt
Pungent : Spicy foods, ginger, hot peppers,Cumin
Bitter : Green leafy vegetables, Turmeric
Astringent : Beans, Lentils, Pomegranate
To Decrease Vata- Sweet, Sour, Salty
To Increase Vata- Pungent, Bitter, Astringente
To Decrease Pitta- Sweet, Bitter, Astringent
To Increase Pitta- Pungent, Sour, Salty
To Decrease Kapha- Pungent, Bitter, Astringent
To Increase Kapha- Sweet, Sour, Salty