Ayurveda - The Science of Life

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word; Ayur means "life" and Veda means "science / knowledge", therefore it is referred to as "the science of life" in medical sector. Ayurveda is basically a system of traditional medicine in health care matters, which has been practiced in India from 5000 years and currently it is being used in many regions of India and many other parts of the world as well. Ayurveda is very famous since it offers a complete medicine to improve one's life by providing practical tools, deep insights and a lot more information regarding maintaining life balance; it helps ensure a life without any serious disease, in short it is a complete guide to the health care.

Ayurveda - Form of Holistic Medicine

Ayurveda is no doubt a holistic medicine. It deals with all health issues one may face whether it is related to mind, body or soul. During the healing procedure it deals with the whole of a person; the combination of body, mind as well as spirit instead of treating the individual symptoms.

It believes that any health condition brings with it many other consequences thus a holistic treatment is required. For example, if you are passing through ongoing stress, it is very much possible that it damages your immune system as well which will then make you prone to several diseases. Likewise, if your mind is happy and feels pleasure, then it is natural that the brain releases such chemicals which will develop a great feeling of happiness and well-being throughout your body which then promotes good health while strengthening your immune system.

Among the ancient traditions of India, the Vedic tradition plays an active role in this treatment. It links everyone and everything in the universe. Ayurveda takes life as transfer of energy from universe to the body and also within one's body. Environment plays an active role, like if environment is healthful and nutritious you will nourish, whereas if the environment is poisonous you will fall prey to different harmful diseases. Therefore, Ayureda focuses on the need to learn the ways to keep one's environment toxic-free thus ensuring a healthy and healing environment which is the fundamental to the health.

Dosha Body Types in Ayurveda:

According to ayurveda, there are three doshas or body types - Vata, Pitta, Kapha, which needs to be identified before implementing any treatment. Although, every individual has all three of these principles i.e. Vata (motion), Pitta (metabolism) and Kapha (structure), but in certain combination which results in following three ayurveda body types.

Vata Dosha

If a person is predominantly Vata, he or she is likely to be thin, quick and light in his/her imaginations, thoughts and actions. However, since change is an inevitable element of our lives, it can be changed. Upon balancing Vata, one can become creative, enthusiastic as well as lively; but if the Vata turns out to be excessive one may develop nervousness, insomnia or even irregular digestion.

Pitta Dosha

When pitta is mainly lively in one's nature he or she tends to be muscular, slim, smart and well-determined. If it is balanced properly one can become warm, absolutely intelligent as well as a great leader, but if it's unbalanced then it can make the person critical, irritable and aggressive.

Kapha Dosha

If one is equipped with Kapha dosha, he/she tends to be of heavier frame who is good in imagination. He/she is cool and calm. If balanced, it develops quietness, faithfulness, sweetness and attractiveness. However, when unbalanced, it can lead to increase in weight, congestion and unhealthy life.

Conventional Western Medicine and Ayurveda

Conventional medicine has tried hard to isolate the differences among many diseases and their cures. Ayurveda has achieved it quite successfully by focusing on specific qualities of a person. It strictly narrates the understanding that all people have different approaches to diseases and diseases have different impact on different people.

Ayurveda focuses on knowing each and everything before implementation of any cure, whether it's an exercise program or a diet plan or even an herbal supplement. It suggests that every cure should be implemented after complete examination of an individual's specific and unique mind-body formation as well as dosha. After examining the patient, the doctor can easily suggest a diet plan, physical activity or a therapy according to the patient's dosha.

The major difference between western medicine and ayurveda is that western medicine remedifies the symptoms of a sickness, whereas Ayurveda works to eliminate the root cause of the disease. For example, if a person suffering from depression visits an allopathic physician, he would suggest a specific quantity of antidepressants including therapy in major cases. On the other hand, the Ayurvedic doctor would analyze the root cause of depression by examining different aspects of patient's life, like his lifestyle, core activities, diet plan, recently passed events, beliefs and most importantly his mind body constitution. After these observations the Ayurvedic doctor will suggest a treatment plan.

This should be clear that Ayurveda is not against allopathic ways of treatments, rather it emphasize the use of natural ways of healing instead of making your body addicted to western medicines. Keeping away from medicines as much as possible can ensure a better and long life.

Ayurveda restores the body balance using pharmaceutical medications, herbal remedies, meditation, dietary changes, exercise, psychotherapy and many other ways.

Ayurvedic Perspective on Health and Illness

The principle which guides the Ayurvedic as well as other eastern healing arts is basically the interconnection of nearly everything in the universe. Ayurveda believes in the fact that we are not remote assortment of atoms and molecules, however an indivisible element of endless field of intellect. Likewise, health is not just the absence of illness or symptoms of diseases rather it's a superior state of realization that allows liveliness, healthy life, inventiveness and joy to meet supreme life experiences.

Beside this, according to ayurveda, illness is basically a disruption; usually a blockage within the flow of power in the body that develops a sense of division and disaffection from the field. The symptoms including sickness are the signals from the body that we should restore balance and eliminate the root cause of the blockage in order to establish a healthy course of energy.

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