healthhelp.in Click To TweetAbout Ayurveda

About Ayurveda

Ayurveda, which literally means the science of life (Ayur = Life, Veda = Science), ayurveda is an ancient medical science which was developed in India thousands of years ago. Believed to have been passed on to humans from the Gods themselves, Ayurveda developed and evolved into what it is today from several ancient treatises, most notably Adharva Veda which dates back to five thousand years. The ancient Vedic literature by sages has clearly laid out instructions to maintain health as well as fighting illness through therapies, massages, herbal medicines, diet control, and exercise.

Ayurveda names seven basic tissues (dhatu), which are plasma (rasa), blood (rakta), muscles (māmsa), fat (meda), bone (asthi), marrow (majja), and semen (shukra). Like the medicine of classical antiquity, Ayurveda has historically divided bodily substances into five classical elements (Sanskrit [maha]panchabhuta, viz. earth, water, fire, air, and ether. There are also twenty gunas (qualities or characteristics) that are considered to be inherent in all substances. These are organized in ten pairs: heavy/light, cold/hot, unctuous/dry, dull/sharp, stable/mobile, soft/hard, non-slimy/slimy, smooth/coarse, minute/gross, and viscous/liquid.

Ayurveda also names three elemental substances, the dosha (called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), and states that a balance of the doshas results in health, while imbalance results in disease. One Ayurvedic view is that the doshas are balanced when they are equal to each other, while another view is that each human possesses a unique combination of the doshas which define this person’s temperament and characteristics. In either case, it says that each person should modulate their behavior or environment to increase or decrease the doshas and maintain their natural state.

In medieval taxonomies of the Sanskrit knowledge systems, Ayurveda is assigned a place as a subsidiary Veda (upveda). Some medicinal plant names from the atharveda and other Vedas can be found in subsequent Ayurveda literature. The earliest recorded theoretical statements about the canonical models of disease in Ayurveda occur in the earliest Buddhist Cannon.

Practice

Ayurvedic doctors regard physical existence, mental existence, and personality as a unit, with each element being able to influence the others. This is a holistic approach used during diagnosis and therapy, and is a fundamental aspect of Ayurveda. Another part of Ayurvedic treatment says that there are channels (srotas) which transport fluids, and that the channels can be opened up by massage treatment using oils and Swedana (fomentation). Unhealthy channels are thought to cause disease.

Diagnosis

Ayurveda has eight ways to diagnose illness, called Nadi(pulse), Mootra (urine), Mala (stool), Jihva (tongue), Shabda (speech), Sparsha (touch), Druk (vision), and Aakruti (appearance). Ayurvedic practitioners approach diagnosis by using the five senses. For example, hearing is used to observe the condition of breathing and speech. The study of the lethal points or marman marma is of special importance.

Original scope of Ayurveda was far and wide. The major divisions of Ayurveda depict the same. It encompasses the health care of animals, plants, and human beings as shown hereunder:

Major Divisions of Ayurveda

Garayurveda                                   Vrikshayurveda                                 Ayurveda

(Health of domestic animals)              (Health care of plants)                    (Human beings)

Ancient literature on the former two is lost to a great extent and not so much in vogue. However, efforts are being made here and there to revive the same. Human Ayurveda is most prevalent and practiced to a large extent.

Specialized branches of Ayurveda : There are 8 specialized branches. The concept of specialization is nothing new to the medical field in India. But the basis of specialization is somewhat unique when we consider the period during which this concept of specialization evolved. The chart below shows 8 branches

Kayachikitsa,                        Grahachikitsa,                 Shalyachikistsa,             Jarachikitsa (Rasayana)

Balachikitsa                      Urdhwangachikitsa             Damstrachikitsa

(Shalakya Tantra)            (Vishachikitsa)                        Vajeekarna

Click here for Aims of Ayurveda :

Aims of Ayurveda are twofold:

1) Prevention of diseases and promotion of health

2) curing the ailment.

The chief principle is to bring back normalcy in 3 bio energies which are in a state of imbalance. This is achieved by 3 methods. They are:

  1. Avoidance or to keep away from causative factors
  2. Elimination of morbid materials
  3. Promoting disease resistance power.

The first one is helpful to reduce the strength of morbidity and to arrest further changes to the bio-energies and vital tissues.

The second one helps to remove the morbid and clear the passage to medicines and diet so as to enable them to reach their proper destination and to act quickly with the lower dosage and also helps to retain them in the body until the desired time.

The third one improves the resistance power of all the tissues and also prevents the further formation of morbid material.

Ayurveda is very economic and within the reach of the common man. It may be surprising to know that there are those who hold the quite opposite view. Both are right in their own economic perspectives. It is considered cheap for the following reasons:

1) It is cheap simply because it is herbal.

2) Raw herbs, mostly single herb, which is naturally grown in the surrounding fields of forests and procured by the physician himself and distributed freely or shows the herb to the patient and asks him to procure for himself.

3) Does not require too many investigations as diagnosing technique is very simple.

4) One time a single dose of medicine will be sufficient in many cases.

5) Even manufactured and marketed products are cheaper compared to modern medicine.

6) Physician does not charge consultation fees.

Click here for Glossary of Ayurvedic Terms :

Agni : The Sanskrit word for fire; its forms are light/electro-magnetic radiation, acids, bases, enzymes, co-enzymes, hormones, and so on; it’s responsible for burning, digesting, cooking, absorbing, assimilating, discrimination, and for cellular metabolism, etc. There are thirteen forms of which the stomach/intestinal fire is primary and supportive to agnis in the liver (5 element agnis) and 7 tissue agnis (one specifically for each tissue).

Ayurveda : The eternal system of life knowledge from an ancient culture of India.  It defines life as a combination of mind, body, senses, and spirit.  Its aims are to heal the sick and prevent disease, sustain the quality of and length of life.  Its scope includes knowledge of science, medicine and philosophy.

Dharma : The term commonly is translated as “duty,” but I prefer “virtue.” Without the context of its spiritual roots, this meaning is too vague. It arose in the ancient Vedic culture, in Sanskrit, as a way of expressing that one must do God’s will while on earth. This means that every facet of life must express a willingness to accept good and bad with equanimity and indeed a willingness to express one’s divinity in all aspects of daily life. One lives in accordance with Nature’s laws, which are a means for the expression of God’s will. Living in accord with Natural Law is holy and healthy, while adharma, its opposite, means pain, suffering, and destruction.

Dhatu : The word means stable or fixed or supporting and connotes the role of the bodily tissues in Ayurveda, of which there are 7: plasma/lymph, red blood cells, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow/nerve tissue, reproductive tissue

Dosha : The fundamental governing principle of life and creation, which – in the body – serves to execute the blueprint of DNA.  This sustains sentient life during all the vagaries of changing times.  When influence upon this governing agent is overwhelming . . . disease arises.

Element : Ayurveda has named 5 kinds of substances that are responsible for action or effects: space, air, fire, water, earth; these comprise all of the matter of living and non-living things in the creation.

Guna : This term means quality or attribute.  It describes fundamental stable energy which is the nature and essence of any substance. [qualities &attributes of prana?]  Thoughts, feelings, and similar subtle energies are considered as substance as well as actual materiality like foodstuffs.  The gunas are sattva (spiritual), rajas, (worldly), tamas (involutionary or decaying).

Ghee : The clarified essence of butter which obtains from cooking it for about 15 minutes over medium heat.  When cool, accumulated fats on the bottom of the pot are discarded, and pure, golden oil is retrieved.

Kapha : The name of the governing principle of Creation relating to physical forms of energy.  It is responsible for secretions, maintaining lubrication, fluid balance, growth, heaviness, grounding, forgiveness, compassion, potency, understanding.

Karma :  The word means action and is synonymous with moral/spiritual law that states one receives/reaps as one sews

Pitta : The name of the governing principle of Creation relating to transformation reactions.  It is responsible for digestion, absorption, assimilation, metabolism, complexion, body temperature, vision, courage and enthusiasm.

Prakriti : This term is used to describe the idea of constitution, especially bodily constitution, and is elaborated in terms of vata, pitta, and kapha doshas

Prana : A subtle essence of all energy forms; hence, the energetic essence of all creation.  The particular prana of foods determines whether and how foodstuffs are used.

Pranayama : Generally, this term refers to controlled breathing for the purpose of controlling the mind. It is a set of practices designed to move energy around the body; health–mental, emotional, physical, spiritual–is its outcome.

Rajas : (Rajasic) The mobilization of energy by Consciousness in such a manner as to produce action, attraction, repulsion, desire, and so on.

Sattva : (Sattvic) That style of functioning of Consciousness which embraces balanced use of the mind, body and senses thus promoting wisdom, compassion, clarity, health and long life.

Tamas : (Tamasic) That style of functioning of Consciousness which embraces notions of darkness, inertia, insensitivity, ignorance, and so on.

Vaidya : One who knows.  A respectful title of an Ayurvedic medical practitioner, indicating an appreciation of the depth and scope of knowledge in the training of this science; note that the title only connotes being a healer indirectly.

Vata  :   The governing principle of Creation that has the most importance by having the ability to move all things.  It is responsible for respiration, circulation, elimination, speech, motion, locomotion.  It also governs all nervous system functioning, intuition, cheerfulness and creativity.

Click here for Ayurveda benefits & home remedies

1. Massage your face skin with fresh tomato juice and clean it with warm water after 1 or 2 hours, this simple ayurveda beauty tip helps in clearing pimples problem.

2. Drink a glass of apple juice every morning, it makes your skin shinning and beautiful.

3. Apply & massage fresh Aloe Vera gel taken from the plant, it will get rid of black marks.

4. Drink a good amount of water every day, it helps in curing pimples and other skin problems.
5. Massage your hair with pure coconut oil mixed with fresh lemon juice every day for 10 to 15 days, this ayurveda beauty tip helps in curing dandruff problems.
6. Washing hair with rainwater makes them look very fresh.
7. Apply and massage your face skin with fresh mint leaves juice and leave it for the whole night, for promoting smooth skin naturally.
8.  Apply and massage skin with castor oil every night, it helps in making your skin smooth and supple.
9. Massage face skin with pure cow ghee before you go to sleep at night and wash it on the next day morning, this useful in making your skin white and radiant.
10. Massage you body with pure almond oil or with pure coconut oil twice a week,  blood flow will increase in the body and makes your skin glow like never before.
11.  Make the habit of fasting with only fruits or milk once a week, this routine reduces toxins in the body.
12. Make the habit of massaging navel with mustard oil after an everyday bath, this is very useful in removing dryness in the face, cracks on lips, and also increases skin glow.
13. Make the habit of massaging navel with mustard oil after an everyday bath, this is very useful in removing dryness in the face, cracks on lips, and also increases skin glow.
14. Eat 3 to 4 dates every day for a certain period of time, this simple tip makes your skin look bright.
15. Eat a few papaya slices every day, it is very useful in moisturising skin.
16. Sit in Vajrasana position for 5 to 10 minutes every day after dinner, it burns fat and helps in weight loss.
17.  Eat a few slices of cucumber every day in summer, because it consists of about 96% water it is very helpful in keeping you hydrated and promotes skin complexion.
18. Add fresh lemon juice to the bathing water, this simple home remedy helps in preventing body odor.
19. Mix amla powder with water and apply on the face as a pack and massage, it works very effectively in removing the dead cells and also improves eye sight.
20. Regular massage of the leg calf muscle portion will help in clearing the indigestion problems.
21. Daily intake of raisins along with the water ( soaked for one night ) for 45 to 60 days can cure anaemia.
22. Drink buffalo milk with 1 teaspoon of Ashwagandha Powder every night for 15 to 30 days, this simple ayurvedic tip is very useful in increasing sperm count and curing impotency.
23. Daily intake of juice from fresh grapefruits for a period of 15 to 30 days helps in curing headaches.
24. Consume a boiled egg every day, this simple tip helps in boosting your immunity power.
25. Leave 3 to 4 drops of lemon juice in ears, this works like magic in curing severe ear pain.
26. Consume dates every day, it is going to make you strong and healthy.
27. Consuming papaya daily helps in increasing memory power, it is very good for the liver as well.
28. Eat 2 to 3 bananas every day, it helps in gaining body weight naturally.
30. Consuming hot water along with honey is useful in curing stomach pain.
31. Consuming fresh lemon juice before having meals or before going to bed for 30 to 45 days is the best home remedy in curing asthma.
32. Eat carrot along with cow milk and honey, this simple ayurveda tip helps in boosting your memory power.
33. Eat a pear fruit twice or thrice in a week, it helps in curing the constipation problem.
34. Keep an onion in the pocket, it is very helpful in preventing heat strokes in summer.
35. Make the habit of drinking water in copper vessels or copper bottles, this daily routine is going to be beneficial for your liver, spleen, and in fact complete body.
36. Consume 1 table teaspoon of pure honey every day, this ayurvedic tip helps in leading a long and healthy life.
37. While going to bed, take one teaspoon of Triphala powder with lukewarm water, this helps in relieving constipation.
38. Consume 1 teaspoon of garlic juice with 2 teaspoons of pure honey, this tip is very useful in controlling blood pressure.
39. Practice Pranava Pranayam meditation for a while every day, this is very useful in treating depression.

Myths about Ayurveda –

Myth  1 – Ayurveda is not a science at all?
Fact – Anything which works has its own science and operates on its own equations. Ayurveda is nothing different. Ayurveda is not only science but is beyond science. Many things in the core of Ayurveda are yet to be understood by the scientific world. Thorough reading, practice, and understanding Ayurveda in its true unadulterated sense make us realise that it is the greatest science that man has ever known.

Ayurveda needs no research works to support its existence or efficacy. It is a time tested science. It is unparalleled in its approach to healing and preventive aspects.

The principles of life and medicine which were written followed and documented thousands of years ago hold good even today and will be applicable even in the future whereas we have seen many medical systems to be struggling in the varying waves of un-predictabilities and un-certainties.

We simply don’t tell that Ayurveda is the mother of all medical sciences.

Myth 2  – Ayurveda is “By Chance” Medicine!
Fact – This concept is wrong and a product of preoccupancy or fear of competition or inadequate information or habit of criticizing.

Ayurveda is not about chances, it is more scientific than any other medicines. The reality is that many concepts are beyond the reach of scientific analysis. Ayurveda basics are totally different from the other medical systems and naturally, the treatment too will depend on the ancient basics.

Thorough knowledge of the depths of Ayurveda is required to understand Ayurveda or its methodology and basics of treatment.

The medicines, formulations, treatment line-ups, dietetic protocol, lifestyle advice, etc written in Ayurvedic books are the experiences of constant practice done by ancient teachers, doctors, and stalwarts of Ayurvedic science, which has survived the acid test of evolution and is still standing tall. They are nothing less than scientific documentation.

Myth  3 – Ayurveda is slow acting??
Fact – People have a myth that Ayurveda is slow acting. Ayurveda might be the oldest documented medical science on the planet but it is not slow acting.

Slowness or quickness with respect to how a medicine acts depends on what type of medicine is chosen by the doctor and what type of morbidity is being attended.

We can find the quickest acting formulations in the core of Ayurvedic treatises.

Myth 4  – Ayurveda is free from side effects…!!!
Fact – Any medicines or treatments will have a varied impact depending on how it is prescribed. Any medicine or treatment not prescribed with responsibility or administered by negligence can be harmful. This rule is also applicable to Ayurveda medicine.

Ayurveda was the first health science to have given an explanation of comprehensive medical or hospital care in terms of ‘Chikitsa Chatushpada’ or 4 limbs of treatment. This includes Bhishak (doctor), Dravya (medicine), Upastha (nursing staff or caretakers), and Rogi (patient). The coordinated approach of all these 4 limbs and equal effort put by all these forms the basis for effective cure.

Each limb has an equal contribution to give if the disease needs to be effectively cured. Failure of any limb towards giving their 100% will lead to failure of the treatment and also might give rise to side effects and complications.

Myth 5  – Anything which is herbal is Ayurveda!!
Fact – Ayurveda is essentially a medical science or system which relies on herbal remedies and preparations. Ayurveda believes that the same elements of nature which make up our body also make up the plants and herbs. Thus when any element increases or decreases in the body, it will lead to the manifestation of various diseases, tissue, and organ damages.

When the elements increase, herbs having an antagonistic element that can deplete the excessive element is administered. The same is the truth when a particular element decreases in the body. The herbs having an antagonistic element that can increase the depleted element is administered. Thus the health is restored by balancing the important elements in the body.

Ayurveda as medical science and is a current, hot, and happening global trend. Thus Ayurveda is used for heavy and non-ethical marketing. People are marking and branding ‘Ayurvedic Product’ for any package of nonsense because they know that the word ‘Ayurveda’ will sell their product.

Remember & Beware ‘Ayurveda is all herbal’ and ‘All Herbal may not be Ayurveda’.

Myth 6  – Ayurveda medicines do not have EXPIRY!
Fact – Everything has an expiry date. Something does expire quickly and something’s late. Ayurveda was the first medical science that scientifically explained about the shelf lives and expiry of various forms of medicines.

According to classical reference, some medicines do not have an end life. Some medicines get better and derive great healing properties as they get older. But the fact is, most of the medicines have an expiry time.

Myth 7  – ‘Traditional healers’ are Ayurvedic Doctors?
Fact – Traditional healers gain wisdom of curing some diseases of familial practices. The art of healing is passed on through a system of hierarchy. The medicines or herbs used in these practices are kept secret. They are not revealed to any others apart from the successor who has pledged to carry on the system ahead. These people collect medicines from natural resources like forests etc and prepare the medicines.

Traditional healers are quite different from qualified Ayurvedic doctors though what they do and the way in which they have been practicing looks similar. Traditional healers may not be qualified or certified to call themselves or tag themselves with ‘Ayurvedic Doctor’ term.

Traditional healers use a set of herbal medicines which have been carried over from familial knowledge and practice the same. Some traditional practitioners are equally successful.

Myth 8  – Ayurvedic medicines are safe enough to be brought over the counter!
Fact – Any medicine taken without being prescribed by a qualified doctor is equal to poison. No medicine is universal and everything doesn’t suit everyone. The same medicine which has provided good relief in a given person can be reactive or lethal at some other instance. This rule is applicable to Ayurvedic medicines also.
In fact, no medicine should be brought on the counter unless prescribed by a qualified and experienced Ayurvedic Doctor. You also need to know whether it can eradicate your illness.

Many products are marketed in news-papers and media and the advertisements are so appealing and attractive that common man falls into the temptation of procuring it especially those which decrease weight, anti-diabetes medicines, fertility medicines, etc.

Some things which are sold in the name of medicines are nothing short of business trends. Such products have really become a headache and challenge to the real traditional-holistic and pure form of Ayurveda.

Myth 9  – Ayurvedic doctors are stringent in advising tight and rigorous diet schedules!
Fact – Ayurvedic doctors do advise diet but they do not cut short the quality and quantity of food you have been taking. They may help you in keeping away from the foodstuffs which might harm your constitution and cause health disturbances or aggravate an existing illness. They may also advise you to take something in excess which might suit you and also help in overcoming the disease process.
Ayurveda many times is stringent in advocating diet changes and in implementing diet restrictions.

According to Ayurveda ‘Pathya’ or wholesome diet and lifestyle advice are an essential part of healing. They complement and supplement a properly administered medicine or treatment and enable quick healing. Diet by itself is medication. In many sorts of illnesses, the diet works more than medicine.

Ayurveda tells ‘Sankshepataha Kriya Yogo Nidana Parivarjanam’ i.e. the best form of treatment is the avoidance of causative factors.

Eat better…live better..

Myth 10  – Ayurvedic medicines are bitter and have horrible palatability…!!!
Fact – The million-dollar question is what is important – health or taste of medicine? Bitter is always better. Not all Ayurvedic medicines are bitter or astringent. Most of them have a bitter taste and are not palatable because of the herbal ingredients they have. It also depends on the combination of various herbs in the formulations.

If we are looking for palatability, we will be left out with less or almost negligible options of herbs which can be used as medicines.

Myth 11  – Ayurvedic medicines increase body heat!!!
Fact – This is another ridiculous myth surrounding Ayurveda. According to Ayurvedic principles, the body functions are governed and maintained by a balance between cold (Vata and Kapha) and hot (Pitta) factors (elements or humor). When there is a proportional imbalance between these factors, the equilibrium and rhythm of the physiology of the body are disturbed which further sets a platform for the manifestation of various diseases.

Ayurvedic medicines neither increase heat nor cold in the body nor do they decrease them. Many times the medicines are given to correct the imbalances in heat and cold elements of the body and to restore them back to normal. In due process, the temperature variations can take place for a limited time which also indicates recovery of the body from certain ailments.

A few people might experience some heat-related changes while consuming Ayurvedic medicines because of the metabolic changes as a response to the medicines but this may be temporary. This doesn’t happen always and with everybody.

Myth 12  – Ayurvedic medicines have toxic chemicals and heavy metals?
Fact – Ayurvedic medicines are available in the form of Herbal, Mineral, or Herbo-Mineral forms. Rasa Shastra or the Indian Metallurgy (Study of Metals and Minerals) was the earliest science belonging to Ayurveda where the other form of Nature i.e. Metals and Minerals were used as medicines either individually or in combination with herbs.

At the same time care is taken to purify and sterilize each and every metal or mineral of its impurities and toxins and make them fit for human use.

Anything which is used with the utmost care and precaution will surely not act as a toxin. Ayurveda is a holistic and comprehensive health care system that will have no intention of harming the patient by using crude metals in the medicaments.

The art of prescription is the key. Rasa Shastra has in its belly many life-saving remedies. By not using this form of medicines provided by nature, we would be guilty of not saving many lives.

The question is why to use them when we have many other options! That is true. But these minerals and or herbs-minerals are the only choices in combating certain diseases.

When it comes to restoring health and saving a life, yes we should use these priceless medicines. Because nothing is precious than life and we can’t play with it.

Myth 13  – Ayurvedic doctors and hospitals charge heavily…!!!
Fact – Blame it on popularity! Ayurveda is equated to a term called BUSINESS due to the selfish motives of a few doctors, hospitals, and franchises where-in they are targeting the income (as a monthly target) rather than addressing health issues.

Many Ayurvedic medicines and treatments include a lot of expenditure including the cost of rare herbs, time is taken and methodologies of preparation, laborious work, and lot more which makes the cost per unit of medicine and treatment high.

Many times medicines and treatment shall have to be planned only for a given patient. In such cases, the cost will be high. Some doctors do not prefer patent and marketed products. They prepare highly effective medicines on a small-scale basis which again genuinely hikes the price per unit of the medicines.

Myth 14  – Ayurveda is many…!!!
Fact – Many people think that Ayurveda is many and has different forms. The fact is Ayurveda doesn’t exist in many forms…it is always SINGLE AYURVEDA at any time.

There is nothing like a Kerala Ayurveda, Karnataka Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurveda, Bihar Ayurveda, etc.

Just before finish…..
Ayurveda is the best time-tested medical science which was, is, and will be available at the service of ailing mankind. It has time and again proved ‘Old is Gold’ saying. Ayurveda has given hope to the hopeless, life to those with the worst prognosis, and fortified health and rejuvenation to those who want to maintain health.

Since it is a science at disposal for both healthy and ailing, it stands as a holistic and comprehensive health-care system. Just experience it and you will never complain about getting healthier, rejuvenated, and fit like never before.

 

Spread the fragrance of this divine science to everyone in your circle.