VEDIC MEDICINE
Lesson One:Introduction to Ayurveda
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Ayurveda is a science of life so to know more about it,
we must know what is life? Life according to Ayurveda is a
Combination of senses, mind, body and soul. So it is clear
from this definition of life that Ayurveda is not only limited to
body or physical symptoms but also gives a comprehensive
knowledge about spiritual, mental and social health.
The modern society, education, culture and the television everything
speaks about materialism. If this was everything why is it so that
most
us are unhappy. There is unrest, anxiety, mental tension, fighting and
terror every where despite best efforts being made to stop them.
This is because some part of our body is not being nourished properly.
Rahul, be open-minded and try to understand.
Ayurveda (Sanskrit for "knowledge of life" or "knowledge of longevity")
is a
comprehensive system of traditional health care that emphasizes the
relationship among body, mind, and spirit. And is considered to be
the traditional system of medicine of India.
Ayurveda is a science in the sense that it is a complete system.
It is a qualitative, holistic science of health and longevity,
a philosophy and system of healing the whole person, body and mind.
Historians have not pinpointed the exact time Ayurveda came into
being.
Most agree that Ayurvedic classical texts were written in India
between 3,500 and 5,000 years ago. At this time, philosophy and
medicine were not separated. Therefore, philosophical views have
strongly influenced the Ayurvedic way of thinking.
There are several aspects to Ayurveda that are quite unique:
Ayurveda provides reference points for managing treatment decisions
specific to each case. Ayurvedic theory is profoundly useful in
analyzing individual patient constitution and understanding variations
in disease manifestation.
The Ayurvedic framework can be used to structure working models
of the unique state of each patient, and to project a vision or goal
for
a whole state of health, again unique to each case.
Ayurveda provides specific Do's and Don'ts to each individual on
lifestyle, diet, exercise and yoga, herb therapy, and even spiritual
practices to restore and maintain balance in body and mind.
Ayurveda sees a strong connection between the mind and the body,
a huge amount of information is available regarding this relationship.
This understanding that we are all unique individuals enables Ayurveda
to address not only specific health concerns but also provides
explanation
as to why one person responds differently than another.
Physiology of Ayurveda.
All matter is thought to he composed of five basic elements
( panchamahabhutas ) which exhibit the properties of
earth (prithvi), water (jala), fire (tejas), wind (vayu) and space
(akasha).
These elements do not exist in isolated forms, but always in a
combination,
in which one or more elements dominate. According to Ayurveda,
the human body is composed of derivatives of these five basic
elements,
in the form of doshas, tissues (dhatus) and waste products (malas).
Tridosha
The most fundamental and characteristic principle of Ayurveda is called
"tridosha"
or the Three Humours. Doshas are the physiological factors of the
body.
They are to be seen as all pervasive, subtle entities, and are
categorized into
vata, pitta and kapha.
Vata regulates movement and is represented by the nervous system.
Pitta is the principle of biotransformation and is the cause of all
metabolic processes in the body.
Kapha is the principle of cohesion and functions through the body
fluids.
Together, these three doshas determine the physiologic constitution
of an individual.Health is described as a balance of all three
doshas(bodily Humours).
Dhatu
The tissues are classified into seven categories:
Rasa(plasma), Rakta (blood cells),Mansa ( muscular tissue),
Meda (adipose tissue), Asthi (bony tissue), Majja (bone marrow)
and the Shukra (reproductive tissue).
Mala
Three main waste products are Mutra (urine), Purish (faeces) and Sweda
(sweat).
This is a very short description and if you want to learn more you can
visit my website -http://www.ayurveda-foryou.com and get more
information.
"Prakriti - Body constitution in Ayurveda"
So, let's get started!
Prakriti [ Body Constitution]
There are two types of Constitutions of our body
1. Deha Prakriti (Body Constitution)
Every individual has a unique combination of the three doshas- Vata,
Pitta and Kapha. To understand individuality is the foundation of
Diagnosis and Treatment in Ayurveda.
Humans are endowed at birth with one of seven different body types,
depending on which dosha or combination of the three basic doshas
dominate. Body types can be dominated by a single humor (vata, pitta,
or kapha),
or they can be dominated by combinations: vata-kapha
(when vata and kapha are present in almost equal amounts);
vata-pitta; pitta-kapha; and vata-pitta-kapha
(when all three doshas are present in almost equal amounts).
Suppose you have a kapha (water) dominant constitution then you may
have a tendency to overweight, over-emotional nature or suffer congestion
in the chest. So you should modify your diet, life style, daily routine
and other activities accordingly, for example, avoid sleeping too much
in the day or eating too many sweets, to maintain your health and also
to cure the diseases .
2. Mana Prakriti (Mental Constitution)
A person's dosha type is expressed emotionally as well .
Vedic philosophy classifies human temperaments into
three basic qualities: satva, rajas and tamas.
Relative predominance of satva, rajas, or tamas is responsible for
individual psychological constitution.
Ayurvedic physicians mainly take body type and imbalances among
the doshas into consideration when treating a patient.
This is a very short description and if you want to learn more you can
visit my website -http://www.ayurveda-foryou.com
and get more information.
Ok, now that you have understood about the basic principles and about
Dosha predominance in prakriti, you're ready to learn about the very
important part - Diagnosis and treatment of various ailments....
but that's for next lesson!
"Samprapti - the Disease
Process(Pathology)&Chikitsa -Treatment
of Disease."
Samprapti - the Disease Process(Pathology)
Under normal conditions, the doshas, dhatus and malas
correspond to certain standards regarding their
quantity, quality and function. However, this situation
is not static, and due to several endogenous and exogenous
factors, the doshas may become unbalanced, resulting in disease.
Every disease is related to an imbalance of the doshas.
Other coherent factors can be: the disturbance of the
biological factors (agnis). The formation and collection
of undigested nutrients (ama). Obstruction of the body
channels (shrotorodha), and a disturbed assimilation in the tissues.
Chikitsa, Disease Management
(Pharmacology and Treatment)
There are four main classifications of management of disease
in Ayurveda: shodan or cleansing; shaman or palliation;
rasayana or rejuvenation; and satvajaya or mental hygiene.
Ayurveda gives us a model to look at each individual as a
unique makeup of the three doshas (Prakruti) and thereby
design treatment protocols that specifically address a
persons health challenges. When any of the doshas
( Vata, Pitta or Kapha ) become imbalance,
Ayurveda will suggest specific lifestyle and nutritional
guidelines to assist the individual in reducing or
increasing the doshas that has become imbalance.
The materia medica of the Ayurveda, composed of the five
basic elements, has been categorized according to the
derivatives of these elements. They include:
taste (rasa), potency (virya), taste of the digestion
product (vipaka), properties (guna), specific properties
(prabhava) and action (karman).
The drugs used in Ayurveda are made by several processes
from vegetable and mineral raw materials. Mostly plant
alkaloids are the active ingredients. Obviously barring
some chemical changes it is mostly natural deviates.
If toxins in the body are abundant, then a cleansing process
known as "Pancha Karma" is recommended to get rid of these
unwanted toxins. This "panchkarma" or Five internal cleansing
methods, is a most profound therapy in Ayurveda.
Rahul, I hope that you will continue to explore Ayurveda
to enhance your health and to gain further insights into
this miracle we call life.
Thanks again for having me in your mailbox these last 4
days. It was a real pleasure for me to teach you the
basics about this holistic science of life 'AYURVEDA'.
We have published a good ebook 'Ayurvedic Principles Revealed'.
It will satisfy your desire for deeper knowledge of Ayurvedic
principles.
This ebook conveys the philosophical and fundamental principles of
Ayurveda in detail, dynamic and inspirational way, providing a solid
foundation upon which to pursue deeper knowledge of 'AYURVEDA'.
You can know more about it by visiting ayushveda.com site.
