We have all heard the word Ayurveda . Maybe you have taken an Ayurvedic medicine or had an Ayurvedic massage. But Ayurveda is not just a medicine. It is much deeper than that, a system of medicine that relates to our entire life. So, even though you have heard about Ayurveda, do you know exactly how it actually works and what is its scientific basis? Today we will talk about it.
Simply put, what is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is the world's oldest holistic health system. It originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. The Sanskrit word "Ayurveda" means "science of life" or "knowledge of life."
The basic belief of this system is that health and well-being depend on the delicate balance between our mind, body, spirit and environment . The main goal of Ayurveda is to promote health and prevent the development of diseases, rather than fighting them. However, this does not mean that existing diseases are not treated. There are also treatments for specific health problems.
Simply put, Ayurveda is more like a lifestyle guide that helps you stay healthy rather than treating illness.
A story about vitality and Doshas
According to Ayurveda, everything in the universe, both animate and inanimate, is interconnected. If your mind, body, and spirit are in harmony, or in balance, with the universe, you will be in good health. It is when this balance is disrupted that we become ill. Things that can disrupt this balance include genetic or birth defects, accidents, climate change, aging, and our emotions.
Those who accept Ayurveda believe that every human being is made up of five basic elements in this universe:
These five elements combine within the human body to create three life forces called "Doshas." These three doshas control how our body functions. They are:
1. Vata Dosha: Made up of the elements of air and air.
2. Pitta Dosha: Made up of the elements Tejo (fire) and Apo ( water ).
3. Kapha Dosha: Made up of the elements of Apo (water) and Pathavi (earth).
We all inherit a unique mix of these three doshas. But usually one dosha is stronger than the others. Ayurveda believes that your susceptibility to illness, and the types of illnesses you develop, depend on the balance of your doshas.
Let's look at the three errors in a little more detail.
To make it easier to understand these three errors, let's look at this information in a table.
| Dosha | Things that control | Main features | When unbalanced | How to balance? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vata (air + celestial) | Body movement, breathing, blood circulation, heart function, mind, cell division. | People who are intelligent, creative, active, change emotions quickly, have a thin body, lose weight easily, and always feel cold. | Increased susceptibility to conditions such as anxiety, fear, forgetfulness, asthma, heart disease, skin diseases, and arthritis. | Meditation, massage, going to bed and waking up at a set time, eating warm food. |
| Pitta (Fire + Water) | Digestion, metabolism, and appetite-related hormones. | People who are goal-oriented, competitive, confident, have leadership qualities, have a medium-sized, strong body, and always feel the heat. | More prone to conditions such as irritable, stubborn, Crohn's disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, indigestion, and fever. | Eating cool foods like salads and cucumbers, doing slow yoga exercises, and being aware of everything. |
| Kapha (Water + Earth) | Muscle growth, body strength, stability, weight, immune system. | Calm, patient, willing to work according to a routine, have a wide body frame, and gain weight easily. | Easily fatigued, stubborn, more prone to conditions such as depression, asthma and other respiratory diseases, diabetes, and obesity. | Eating more vegetables and fruits, and doing exercises that increase blood circulation, such as running. |
How is an Ayurvedic treatment plan developed?
When you see an Ayurvedic doctor, he or she 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 goal of treatment is to bring your mind and body back into balance. There are several methods used to achieve this:
- Herbal Medicine: This is a key part of Ayurveda. Things like licorice, ginger, and turmeric are used in various combinations to suit your dosha.
- Yoga: A form of exercise that balances the body and mind.
- Meditation: Helps calm the mind and develop concentration.
- Panchakarma: A method of removing undigested food and toxins from the body. This involves blood purification, massage, medicinal oils, dressings, and laxatives.
- Counseling: Helping you understand your flaws and change your lifestyle.
- Other treatments include oil massage, breathing exercises called Pranayama, and mantra chanting.
But you definitely need to be careful about this too!
Although there has not been as much clinical research on Ayurveda as there has been in Western medicine, many of the practices in Ayurveda have been proven to have positive health benefits.
But, there is something very important that you need to know. Research conducted in some countries, for example in the United States, has found that some Ayurvedic medicines may contain toxic heavy metals like lead, mercury, and arsenic. These are very harmful to the body, and can even be life-threatening, especially for young children.
Therefore, before you try Ayurveda or any other alternative medicine, be sure to talk to your regular doctor. Tell him about the medications you are considering taking. That way, he can know for sure if there are any interactions with other medications you are currently taking and whether it is safe for you.
If you or a child experiences any poisoning from such a medicine, immediately go to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU). If necessary, you can also call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
How to start an Ayurvedic lifestyle?
Ayurveda is a recognized medical system in Sri Lanka. However, it is very important to choose a qualified and trusted doctor when seeking treatment. Before seeing a doctor, here are some simple Ayurvedic practices that you can follow at home.
For sleep and mental well-being
- Go to bed at a set time and wake up at a set time.
- Make your bedroom a quiet, dark place. Keep things like phones and laptops out of the bedroom at night.
- Meditate for a while every day.
- Do deep breathing exercises.
Exercise
- Take a yoga class or take online classes.
- Increase the amount of movement you do throughout the day. Some days, walk briskly, others, run briskly. Listen to your body.
Ayurvedic diet
- Eat fresh, homemade foods instead of artificial, processed foods.
- When eating, enjoy your food calmly and happily, without getting angry or stressed.
- Eat your largest meal of the day at noon, because that's when digestion is at its best.
- Focus on foods that balance all three doshas, such as fruits, vegetables, rice, nuts, and honey as a sweetener.
Herbs
You can use many Ayurvedic herbs, such as Ashwagandha, Turmeric, Ginger, and Cumin, in your cooking. However, before taking these as supplements, talk to your doctor to make sure they are appropriate and safe for you.
Take-Home Message
- Ayurveda is a holistic system of wellness that focuses on the balance of body, mind, and spirit.
- It is based on the three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Everyone's dosha composition is different.
- Ayurvedic treatments are tailored to each individual, based on their dosha nature.
- Although Ayurveda offers many health benefits, some herbal medicines carry the risk of containing heavy metals that are harmful to health.
- Most importantly: Before starting any Ayurvedic or alternative treatment, always consult your primary care physician (doctor) to make sure it is safe for you.
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