Ayurveda (comprising two words, Ayu meaning “life” and Veda meaning “knowledge or science”) is the oldest surviving complete medical system.
It is the holistic health system based on human harmony with nature. It deals not only with treatment of diseases but is the science on complete way of life.
The focus of Ayurveda is on establishing and maintaining balance of the life energies rather than focusing on individual symptoms.
In Indian tradition, the four basic goals of human life are described as
DHARMA accomplishment of spiritual & religious duties
ARTHA acquiring material wealth
KAMA satisfaction of desires, and
MOKSHA attaining liberation
Ayurveda describes ‘health’ as a state where an individual is successfully able to pursue these four goals.
Modern system of Medicine and Ayurveda
- According to Ayurveda, “Health is a state of total balance between the body, mind, senses and the soul”.
The modern medical system focuses on the body whilst the mind, senses and soul are not taken into consideration, while treating the disease. Ayurveda treats the patient by treating the root cause of the disease and not just the symptoms.
- Ayurveda believes that all individuals have unique constitution, and therefore recommends different regimens for different types of people, although the two may have the same symptoms.
- Ayurveda believes that ultimately all intelligence and wisdom flows from one Absolute source (Paramatman). Health manifests by the grace of the Absolute, acting through the laws of Nature (Prakriti). Ayurveda assists Nature by promoting harmony between the individual and Nature by living a life of balance according to her laws.
- Ayurveda describes three fundamental universal energies regulate all natural processes on both the macrocosmic and microcosmic levels. That means, the same energies which produce effects in the various galaxies and star systems are operating at the level of the human physiology. These three universal energies are known as the “Tridosha”.
Health and Human Body according to Ayurveda
Human body in Ayurveda is considered to be composed of five primary elements:
- Ether (space),
- Air
- Fire
- Water
- Earth.
 More about five elements
These five elements derive from and are expressions of an unmanifest and undifferentiated Creative Principle, which is One. These five elements are to be understood in a material sense as well as a subtle sense.
By earth we are to understand not only the terrain of our planet or the iron in our red blood cells and spleen, but also the quality of steadfastness of mind, strength of one’s moral fiber, one’s slow and quiet undeterred advancement towards a goal, and the resistance to the manifestations of others.
By water we mean to imply the cohesive aspects of reality which flows into and holds things together, perfectly and simply witnessed in the ubiquitous H20 molecule.
By fire we mean the universal force in nature that produces heat and radiates light; it is our passion to pursue despite obstacles and delays; it is what burns away the cloak of ignorance (avidya) and allows the Truth to shine with brilliance. Fire removes doubt from the mother-substance of human heart and replaces it with joy.
Air is that transparent, rarefied, kinetic force which sets the universe in motion; it moves the blood through the vessels, wastes from the body, thoughts through the mind; it moves the birds to warmer climates in winter, it moves the planets around their suns.
Space is the subtlest of all elements which is everywhere and touches everything; in the mind it is the vessel which receives all impressions, in the heart space accepts love; space is receptivity and non-resistance to what is true.
Thus these Five Subtle Elements (Pancha Mahabhutas) form the basis for all things found in the material creation, from a grain of sand to the complex physiology of every human being.
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The five elements as described above are coded into three biological forces which govern all life processes. These three forces are known as the three doshas, or simply the tridosha.. The tridosha regulates every physiological and psychological process in the living organism. The interplay among them determines the qualities and conditions of the individual. A harmonious state of the three doshas creates balance and health; an imbalance, which might be an excess (vrddhi) or deficiency (ksaya), manifests as a sign or symptom of disease.
The three doshas are known as Vata, Pitta , and Kapha.
Element Composing Pridoshas
Elements Composing The Tridosha
Vata: Space (Akasha) + Air (Vayu)
Vata governs the principle of movement and therefore can be seen as the force which directs nerve impulses, circulation, respiration and elimination etc
Pitta: Fire (Tejas) + Water (Apa)
The Pitta Dosha is responsible for the process of transformation or metabolism. The transformation of foods into nutrients that our bodies can assimilate is an example of a Pitta function. Pitta is also responsible for metabolism in the organ and tissue systems as well as cellular metabolism.
Kapha : Water (Apa) + Earth (Prithvi)
Kapha is responsible for growth, adding structure unit by unit. It also offers protection , for example, in form of the cerebral-spinal fluid,which protects the brain and spinal column. The mucousal lining of the stomach is another example
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Doshas are of two varieties:
- Saririka (bodily) and
- Manasika (psychological, of the mind).
The saririka doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. They are material in form, yet can manifest in aspects of mind as well. Generally, they are intimately connected to physical activities.
The manasika doshas are Rajas, Tamas, and Sattva.. These are often referred to as the three gunas, or three qualities, of the mind. Manasika doshas have reference only to the mind and mental activities.
An intimate inter-relationship exists between these two types of doshas.
However, greater importance is attributed to the tridosha (bodily doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) as the primary causative agents of disease. For every individual, each dosha has a unique quantity (pramana), quality (guna), and action (karma) in the physiology.
Equipoise of these three attributes with respect to an individual engenders health. When this balance is disturbed through indulgence in foods and habits which are similar in nature to a specific dosha, this causes vriddhi--increase--in that dosha; food and habits of a dissimilar nature to that dosha will likewise cause its kasaya, or decrease. This is the Ayurvedic doctrine of “like increases like”.
Thus if you are cold and you drink iced water or eat ice cream, you will become colder; similarly if you are hot and you consume cayenne peppers or other pungent tastes, you will become hotter. Or if you are dry and you spend a long period of time in a strong wind, you will lose more moisture due to evaporation and become drier.
Scope Of Ayurveda
Classically, Ayurvedic Medicine was conceptualized and practiced as
- Internal Medicine (Kayachikitsa)
- General Surgery (Shalya Tantra)
- Otorhinolaryngology (Shalakya)
- Pediatrics and Obstetric/Gynecology (Kaumarabhrtya)
- Psychiatry (Bhutavidya)
- Toxicology (Agada Tantra)
- Nutrition, Detoxification and Rejuvenation (Rasayana Tantra)
- Fertility and Virility (Vajikarana)
Ayurveda has information for every disease: definition, etiology, prodrome, clinical symptoms, pathophysiology, prognosis, principles of treatment, medicines, diet, lifestyle recommendations, and even etymology.
Over the last century, Ayurvedic Medicine has experienced a rebirth and has continued to evolve its holistic approach to health in accordance with modern needs and scientific advances of the day. Today, modern Ayurveda also includes:
- Kulam Svastyam Kutumbakam: Preventative Healthcare For the Entire Family
- Sangakara Chikitsa: Treatment of Addictions. Includes strategies for defeating addictions to alcohol, tobacco, sexual behavior, and food.
- Panchakarma Chikitsa: Purification and Rejuvenation Treatments. Prescribed with respect to one's individual nature, work, social circumstance, age, and season.
- Sthaulya Chikitsa: The Ayurvedic Approach To Diet and Weight Loss. It covers practical and effective approaches to maintain a healthy weight through constitutionally-determined diet, exercise, herbs, spices, teas, breathing, and psychological aids.
- Vatavyadhi Chikitsa: Specific treatment plans for the diseases of Vata origin which affect the musculoskeletal system and nervous system (joints, bones, muscles, nerves) Examples include but are not limited to: osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, osteopenia, multiple sclerosis, spondylosis, sciatica, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
- Svabhaavoparamavaada: Promotion of self-healing and resistance to disease (i.e. immunity) as per your age, sex, occupation, nature, daily routine, medical history, mental status, season, and region.
- Vajikarana: Specific remedies for Male infertility and impotence as well as Female infertility.
- Saundarya Sadhana: Beauty and cosmetic treatments for men and women, including skin, hair, eyes, posture, body odor, and general appearance.
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