Ayurvedic Medicine
Ayurvedic Medicine (also called Ayurveda) is an alternative medical practice that is mainly based on tradition more than 5,000 years ago in India. It is often called the “science of life” coming from the two Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (knowledge or science). It involves all problems of man from physical and psychological to even spiritual. In short it is a holistic lifestyle program that comprises what and how to eat, how to exercise and how to take medicine. Thus, purification of the body, mind and soul is all part of it.
Ayurvedic treatments rely mainly on herbs, oils and common spices. In treating an individual, patients are classified according to body types or prakriti, as determined by the three doshas (vata, pitta, and kapha). The doshas regulate mind-body harmony, while imbalance happen only during illnesses. Treatment is aimed primarily in harmony restoration or balance to the mind-body system while cleansing the body of the substances that cause diseases, thus restoring harmony and balance. Doshas are blueprints or a health profile of a person, encompassing strength, weaknesses, and susceptibility to illnesses.
- Vata, a dosha, which is made up of both air and space. It controls all movements in the human mind and body and must be kept in a well-balance state. It regulates blood flow, toxin elimination, breathing and movement of ideas across the mind. Excessive Vata can result to insomnia, cramps, constipation and worries. Vata can also affect the two other principles: Pitta and Kapha.
- While Pitta is made up of both fire and water. It controls all heat, metabolism and transformation in the human mind and body. It regulates food digestion, how we metabolize our sensory perceptions, and discriminate between right and wrong. It is great importance to keep Pita in a well-balance state. Excessive Pita can result to anger, ulcers, rashes, thinning of hair and criticism.
- Lastly, Kapha is made up of both earth and water. Kapha cements the elements in the human body, giving the material for physical structure. It keeps body resistance, lubricates the joints, facilitates wound healing, moisturizes the skin, supports memory retention, gives strength to the heart, lungs, and boost the immune system. Kapha is responsible for emotions of attachment, love, forgiveness, calmness, as well as, greed and long-standing envy. Excessive Kapha can result to lethargy, congestion, allergies and weight gain.
However, in order to maintain mind-body stability, Ayurveda highly recommends the following things:
- In order to calm Kapha, you must eat spicy foods and avoid sweet foods, with exception to honey. Several fruits and vegetables should also be avoided such as tomatoes and nuts. Eating meat including turkey is fine, but avoid eating rabbit and pheasant meat.
- Pitta can be restored at a balance state by eating sweet food and nuts while avoiding spicy foods.
- On the other hand, Vata can restore to a normal state by eating nuts, dairy products, particularly those foods that are sweet, salty and sour while avoiding spicy foods.
Ayurveda believes that herbal and dietary practice are of great importance in treating stress-related or chronic conditions and for alleviating toxic effects caused by surgery and chemotherapeutic drugs. Other diseases that have responded to treatment in studies are metabolic and endocrine gland dysfunctions, gastrointestinal diseases, neurological disorders, mental disorders, inflammation of the musculoskeletal system, and the prevention of cancer. The key to good health and happiness can only be attained through appropriate harmony and balance.
But, before enduring any complementary and alternative practice, it is best to seek an advice from your health care provider first to ensure coordinated and safe care.
