Unearth The Secrets Of Ayurvedic Medicine

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If you don’t trust your modern medical doctor to give you time, attention and medical information that pertains EXACTLY to you, then I suggest you check out Ayurvedic medicine, the oldest health care system known to Man.

Ayurveda is the ancient Sanskrit word meaning the “science of life.”

It has often been said that modern medicine leaves a lot to be desired. These days when you get sick, you go to the doctor, describe your symptoms, and they give you drugs. What? Aren’t doctors supposed to keep you healthy? The modern-day so-called health care systems, wait until you are sick, THEN you get help. That seems a backward way to approach health care.

Why wait until you are sick to go to the health and wellness experts? How stupid and dangerous. I think it sounds like a better idea to be attuned to Nature and your body, and to keep it maintained in a healthy state to avoid becoming unwell in the first place.

History of Ayurveda

Ayurvedic medicine can be traced back to India to about 3000-5000 years ago. This medicine and health care system are mentioned in the Vedas, the ancient religious and philosophical texts that are the oldest literature to be found in the world, which makes Ayurvedic medicine the oldest surviving, medical type healing system.

According to the Ayurvedic texts, Ayurveda was conceived by the enlightened, wise ones as a system of living in harmony and maintaining the body so that mental and spiritual awareness could be possible. Medical history tells us that Ayurvedic ideas were transported from ancient India to China and formed the basis of Chinese medicine. 

Principles of Ayurveda

In comparison to the modern day ‘one size fits all’ health care approach, in Ayurvedic health care, it is a highly individualized method.

Under Ayurvedic principles of health care, everyone’s specific constitution (prakruti energy) determines his or her physical, physiological and mental characteristics and their vulnerability to the ailment. Everyone has a specific and unique prakruti. That makes more sense that the modern method of prescribing pills and surgery as front line treatment.

Ayurvedic health care acknowledges that all areas of life impact health. For instance, if you have chronic stress in your life, then you place yourself at risk of negative long-term physical health outcomes. This system of health care uses a holistic approach to looking after your overall well-being.

In Ayurvedic medicine, there are five basic elements that contain prana: earth, water, fire, air, and ether. These elements interact and are further delineated in the human body into their three main categories; Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The aim is to balance these three basic body energies (called doshas) When these are balanced, there is a healthy state of mind and body. When these are unbalanced, ailments begin to appear.

Vata Dosha – is the air element. It is characterized by properties of cold, dry, light and movement. All movement in the body is due to energies of vata. Pain is the characteristic feature of an out of balance vata. Some of the diseases due to vata are flatulence, gout, rheumatism. In the out of balance state of vata, you may also experience a dislike of cold and wind, light and interrupted sleep, nervousness, anxiety, panic and difficulty tolerating loud noises,

Pitta Dosha – is the firey element, controlling digestion, metabolism, bile production and overall energy. The primary function of Pitta is transformation. Those with out of balance Pitta, tend to have a fiery nature that manifests in body, mind, and soul. Heat, digestion and all transformations in the body arise from the Pitta Dosha. Out of balance, Pitta is primarily characterized by body heat or burning sensation, redness of the skin and sour-smelling sweat.

Kapha Dosha – is the water and earth Ayuvedic element. An out of balance Kapha Dosha is characterized by heaviness, thick, white tongue coat, slow and sluggish bowel movements, coldness , excess body weight, and slowness. It is nourishing element of the body. All the soft organs are made by Kapha. You will also find that it’s hard to get up in the morning, with that tell tale sluggish feeling. Feeling slow, foggy, lethargic or heavy throughout the day also points towards an out of balance Kapha. 

Conclusion

If you are following the Ayurvedic system, you want to avoid such life elements as stress, strained relationships, and an unhealthy diet. You also want to include such balancing and healthy elements like meditation, massage, herbal remedies, loving relationships and breathing exercises called pranayama. All these things influence the balance that exists between your Doshas. Keeping a balance with all things in life is the lesson that Ayurvedic medicine teaches us.

References

http://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/divisions-diagnostics-and-procedures/medicine/ayurvedic-medicine

http://www.naturalnews.com/Ayurveda.html

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/stress-body.aspx

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Pixie Seymour
Natural Living Advocate at Our Golden Life
Pixie is an impassioned woman, empowering others to live a natural, healthy life. When not researching and writing about natural health and healing, she's in her healing herb garden, practicing yoga.

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