There is hardly anyone in our country who does not know Ayurveda. Some also call it 'Sinhala medicine'. But it is much deeper than that, a medical system that originates from India, is more than 5,000 years old, and treats the whole body. The Sanskrit word Ayurveda means "science of life" or "knowledge of life". So today, let's talk about what Ayurveda really is, how it works, and what is true or false when compared to modern medicine.
Ayurveda and your vitality
The fundamental belief of Ayurveda is that health and well-being depend on the delicate balance between your mind, body, spirit, and the environment you live in . The main goal of this system is to promote good health and prevent illness rather than fight disease. However, it also treats specific health problems.
According to Ayurveda, everything in this universe, both animate and inanimate, is interconnected. If your mind, body, and spirit are in harmony, or in balance, with this universe, you will have good health. When this balance is disrupted, you will become ill. Things that can disrupt this balance include genetic defects, accidents, climate change, aging, and your emotions.
Practitioners of Ayurveda believe that every human being is made up of five basic elements in the universe: space, air, fire, water, and earth.
These combine in the human body to create three vital energies called Doshas . These control the functioning of your body. The three are:
1. Vata dosha: Formed by the combination of space and air.
2. Pitta dosha : Fire and water combine to form.
3. Kapha dosha: Formed by the combination of water and earth.
Everyone inherits a unique mix of these three doshas. But usually one is stronger than the others. Ayurveda believes that your susceptibility to illness, and the types of illnesses you develop, are related to the balance of your doshas.
Let's learn about the three Doshas in simple terms.
Once you understand what your main flaw is, you can understand what you need to do to balance it. Let's look at each of these flaws.
| Dosha | Traits and controls | Things that can happen when you are out of balance |
|---|---|---|
| Vata (Air + Space) | This is the most powerful dosha. It controls basic things like cell division, mind, breathing, blood circulation, and heart function. These people are intelligent, creative, active , and moody. They are physically thin, lose weight easily, and are always cold. | You become easily agitated, anxious, fearful, forgetful , etc. You may be more prone to conditions such as asthma, heart disease, skin problems, and rheumatoid arthritis. |
| Pitta (Fire + Water) | They control hormones related to digestion, metabolism, and appetite. These people are goal-oriented, competitive, confident , and have natural leadership qualities. They are physically medium-sized, have a muscular body, and are always hot. | They are easily angered, stubborn, and irritable . They may be more prone to conditions such as Crohn's disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, indigestion, and fever. |
| Kapha (Water + Earth) | They control muscle growth, body strength, weight, and the immune system. These people are calm, patient, affectionate , and accepting. They are physically strong, have a broad body, and can gain weight easily. | You get tired easily, become lethargic, stubborn, and depressed . You may be more likely to develop conditions like asthma and other respiratory diseases, cancer, diabetes, nausea after eating, and obesity. |
What are Ayurvedic treatments?
An Ayurvedic doctor will create a treatment plan that is specific to you. He or she will take into account your physical and mental state, as well as your primary and secondary doshas. The primary goal of treatment is to bring your mind and body back into balance. There are several methods used to achieve this:
- Herbal medicine: Herbs like licorice, ginger, and turmeric are used in various combinations to suit your dosha.
- Yoga: A form of exercise that connects the body and mind.
- Meditation: Helps calm and balance the mind.
- Purification programs: These are also known as ``Panchakarma''. They use blood purification, massage, medicated oils, and laxatives to remove undigested food and toxins from the body.
- Counseling: Helps you understand your disorder, how it affects your life, and how to make lifestyle changes to achieve balance.
In addition, oil massage, pranayama or breathing exercises, and mantra chanting are also used in Ayurveda.
What are the real benefits of Ayurveda?
Although Ayurveda has not been subjected to as much clinical research as Western medicine, many of its practices have been shown to improve health and well-being.
- If you have conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Ayurvedic treatment can improve symptoms .
- It has been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The Ayurvedic diet, which emphasizes eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and less meat, especially red meat, may reduce the risk of heart disease .
- Yoga exercises can reduce chronic pain and anxiety , and improve blood circulation and digestion.
- Meditation helps control stress , increase focus, and improve sleep quality.
- It has been found that things like urad dal reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL).
But, be sure to be aware of this too.
This is the most important part of this article. Ayurvedic products are not government-approved or rigorously tested products like Western medicines.
In fact, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that about one in five Ayurvedic medicines may contain toxic heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and arsenic.
This is a very dangerous and even life-threatening condition, especially for young children. Therefore, do not use Ayurvedic medicines from unknown sources without consulting a doctor for any reason.
If you suspect that you have been poisoned by an Ayurvedic product, immediately call the National Poison Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Before you try an Ayurvedic treatment or any other alternative medicine, be sure to talk to your doctor. He or she can advise you on whether it is safe for you and whether it will interact with other medications you are taking.
How to get used to the Ayurvedic lifestyle?
If you don't want to go see an Ayurvedic doctor right away, there are some simple things you can do at home to balance your mental, physical, and spiritual health.
For sleep and mental well-being
- Get into the habit of going to bed and waking up at the same time every day.
- If possible, set aside time to meditate daily.
- Do deep breathing exercises.
Exercise
- Take a yoga class. Or take online classes.
- Increase your activity throughout the day. Listen to your body. Some days you may need a brisk walk, and another day you may need a brisk run.
Diet
- Eat fresh, homemade food instead of processed food.
- When eating, enjoy your food calmly and happily.
- Eat your largest meal of the day at noon. This can also help you get a good night's sleep.
- Focus on foods that balance all the doshas, such as fruits, vegetables, rice, nuts, and honey as a sweetener.
Medicinal herbs
You can add many of the herbs used in Ayurveda when cooking.
- Ashwagandha: Reduces stress and helps with sleep.
- Turmeric: Reduces inflammation.
- Ginger: Reduces nausea.
- Ginger: Helps digestion.
- Peppermint: Helps reduce phlegm.
Important: Before taking these as supplements, be sure to check with your doctor to make sure they are safe for you and won't interact with other medications you are taking.
Take-Home Message
- Ayurveda is an ancient, holistic system of medicine that focuses on the balance of body, mind, and spirit.
- Understanding your main dosha (air, bile, and kapha) can be a good guide to adjusting your lifestyle.
- Many Ayurvedic practices, such as yoga, meditation, and a healthy diet, are very beneficial for your health.
- Very important: Avoid taking medicine from unreliable sources, as some Ayurvedic products may contain heavy metals that are harmful to the body.
- Before starting any Ayurvedic or alternative treatment, always talk to your doctor to find out if it is right for you and safe.
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