Ayurvedic Medicine
Ayurveda, considered the most ancient existing medical system, is a 4,000 year-old Indian method of healing that includes diet, natural therapies and herbs dependent on body type. Ayurvedic medicine places equal emphasis on body, mind, and spirit, and strives to restore the innate harmony of the individual.
Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that means "the science of lifespan". The word ayurveda is made up of two roots: ayur means life and veda means knowledge. According to ayurveda, every human being was created by the cosmos as either male energy, Purusha, or female energy, Prakruti. Purusha is choiceless passive awareness, while Prakruti is choiceful active consciousness. A person's self-identify, called Ahamkara, is affected by three universal qualities: satva, rajas, and tamas. Satva equips an individual with the ability to have clarity of perception. Conversely, tamas is responsible for periods of confusion and deep sleep, as well as the tendency towards inertia and darkness. Rajas causes movement, sensations, feelings and emotions, everything that makes us human beings.
Structurally, the human body is composed of five basic elements: space, air, water, fire and earth. Man is considered a miniature of nature. Functionally, however, there are three body types, or doshas, that explain the actions, gestures, and metabolic activities of an individual. These three body types are analogous to both western medicine's body types of thin, fat, and muscular, or Sheldon and Krethchmer's psychosomatic bodytypes of endomorph, mesomorph, and ectomorph. The three doshas of ayurvedic medicine are called vata, pitta, and kapha, respectively. Ether and air together constitute vata; fire and water make up pitta; water and earth, kapha. Although vata, pitta, and kapha exist in every cell, tissue, and organ of the body, including the male's sperm and the female egg, each individual has one dominant metabolic body type (dosha). Most people are a mixture of dosha characteristics (such as vata-pitta). All in all, while there are only three doshas, there are really seven body types in ayurveda: mono-types (vata, pitta, or kapha predominate), dual-types (vata-pitta, kapha-pitta, or vata-kapha), and equal types (vata, pitta, and kapha in equal proportions). Health occurs in an individual when he or she develops a balance or equilibrium among the three doshas. This equilibium prevents disease and gives the individual a peace of mind.
The most outspoken proponent of ayurvedic medicine has been Deepak Chopra, M.D., Western-trained endocrinologist who recently appeared on Larry King Live on CNN to discuss with several alternative medicine advocates and conventional medicine physicians the importance of his discipline as well as alternative medicine in general. He has written many books in an attempt to introduce ayurvedic medicine to the public at large.
According to ayurvedic medicine, there are
seven major factors that can disrupt physiological harmony: genetic, congenital,
internal, external trauma, seasonal, natural tendencies or habits, and magnetic
and electrical influences. Unlike most other alternative therapies, ayurvedic
medicine takes into account how the seasons and time of day influence health.
Ayurvedic treatment usually includes music, herbs, massage, steams, facials,
and aromatherapy. Particularly close attention is paid to the sensory organs
by an ayurvedic physician. The manipulation of a patient's life as well
as his or her behavior and lifestyle is prevalent in ayurvedic medicine.
The Vata Body Type:
The primary characteristic of the vata metabolic type is changeability-unpredictability
and variability-in size, shape, mood, and action. Vatas rarely suffer from
inertia; their energy vacillates back and forth, their sleeping patterns
are erratic, and they seek exhilarating activities. Most vatas are thin,
moody, exhuberant, rambunctious. Many of them suffer from psychological
disorders, including anxiey, nervous disorders, phobia.
The Pitta Body Type:
This metabolic type is rather predictable, especially in comparison to the
vata type. A person with a dominant pitta body type usually has a medium
build, is strong, has stamina and endurance, and maintains a stable body
weight. Pittas are generally very intelligent, quick-witted, and overly
critical. They possess little patience, a short temper, and may erupt from
time to time.
The Kapha Body Type:
A person with a dominant kapha metabolic body type is easy-going. laid-back,
and relaxed. They have a tendency to be overweight because they digest rather
slowly (low metabolism). They tend to be slow at everything they do, contrary
to vatas who are always on the run. They move slowly, eat slowly, act slowly,
think slowly, and are slow to anger.
Purpose and Method
The purpose of ayurvedic medicine is to rid the body of indigestible toxins
which attract viruses and compromise autoimmune processes and responses.
Pancha karma is an oft-used method of ayurveda which involves the use of
herbal massages and herbal steam saunas with fasting to cleanse the body
of toxins and other pernicious invaders.
The first task that an ayurvedic doctor has in nursing an individual back to complete health is to determine his or her psycho-physiological body type. The doctor then orders a treatment plan for the patient that works only for his unique body type. The treatment plan may include dietary changes, exercise, yoga, meditation, massage, herbal tonics, herbal sweat baths, medicated enemas, and medicated inhalations. In trying to determine the right diet for the patient, the doctor is fully aware that foods are classified according to their effects on the specific body types. The patient's diet is tailored to his or her body type and individual imbalances among the vata, pitta, and kapha within him or her. The major ayurvedic treatment for a multitude of physical and mental conditions is an herbal mixture concocted by the doctor. In addition to this herbal mixture, the doctor must get the patient in tune with his or her environment. He does this by asking the patient to follow daily and seasonal routines that will help the patient integrate with the biological circadian rhythms of nature.
The ayurvedic doctor always has to keep in mind that the three doshas are located in three separate places. The vata is located in the large intestine, pelvic cavity, bones, skin, ears, and thighs. It is responsible for repiration and circulation. The pitta dosha is located in the small intestine, stomach, sweat glands, blood, skin, and eyes. It is responsible for metabolism and organizing enzyme activity. The kapha dosha is located in the chest, lungs, and the spinal fluid surrounding the spinal cord. The kapha holds the body together. It provides structure and support for the bones, muscle, and insulated fat.
Ayurvedic physicians pay close attention to
pulse, tongue, eyes, and nails in diagnosing illness. Diagnosis is based
on observation rather than laboratory testing. The doctor will ask the patient
about his health and family histories. In addition, he may palpate the body,
or listen to the heart, lungs, and intestines with a stethoscope. Ayurvedic
doctors use urine samples and the pulse to describe the balance (or imbalance)
of the three doshas. Ayurvedic treatment then consists of cleansing and
detoxification (Shodan or Pancha Karma), palliation (Shaman) to balance
and relax the three doshas, rejuvenation (Rasayana), and mental hygiene
and spiritual healing (Satvajaya)
Common Cures:
1. OSTEOLOGY- osteoporosis (herb amla
is recommended as well as a mixture of sesame seeds, herb shatavari, ginger
and raw sugar)
back pain (herbs kaishore guggulu and dashamoola basti can treat it)
2. JOINTS- joint diseases arthritis (herbs triphala and boswellia
can treat it, as well as flaxseed and fish oils)
3. MUSCLES AND FASCIA - Muscle spasm,fatigue
4. VASCULAR- blood disorders, anemia, blood
disorders, heart disease, Edema (herb punarnava guggulu is recommended to
treat it), poor circulation, irregular heart rhythm, diabetes (herb gymnem
sylvester can treat it), heavy metal toxicity (herbs dashamoola basti, yasti
madhu vman, brahmi, ghee nasya, shatavari rasayana, along with aloe vera
gel and herb tikta ghee are recommended)
5. NERVOUS SYSTEM - anger, anxiety,
vertigo, Meniere's disorder, paralysis, speech defects, stress, stuttering,
tension headaches, sadness, lethargy, memory loss, epilepsy (herbal mixture
of saraswati churna, brahmi, jatamansi, and punarnava is recommended), anorexia
nervosa (cardamon, fennel, and fresh ginger to help regulate digestion and
stop vomiting; valerian, nutmeg, herb ashwagandha, sesame oil, and sandalwood
can also treat it), worry, vision disorders (herbs amla, triphala, and licorice
are recommended, along with beta-carotene-rich substances such as carrots
and spinach to strengthen the eyes), multiple sclerosis (herb ashwagandha
is recommended), sciatica, hostility
hypertension (herbs convolvulus pluricaulis and ashwagandha reduce anxiety
and anger, have a calming effect), indecisiveness, insomnia (meditation
can treat it; coconut oil (pitta type), sesame oil (vata type), and mustard
oil (kapha type) can also treat it)
6. SENSORY ORGANS - impaired smell, dull senses, taste bud impairment, respiratory disorders, respiratory problems, eye diseases, ear infections (vitamin C and garlic can treat them), earaches, bloodshot eyes
7. DIGESTIVE SYSTEM - acid stomach,
heartache, heartburn, indigestion, irregular digestion, emaciation, jaundice,
nervous stomach, ulcers (herb ashwagandha can treat it), kidney stones,
worms, constipation, salivary gland impairment, peptic ulcers, parasites
(bitter melon can treat it), food allergies, gas, pinworms (bitter melon
is recommended), intestinal cramps, impaired digestion, hepatitis (shatavari,
chyavan prash, kutki, uduchi, shanka pushpi, and brahmi ghee nasya can treat
it), colitis (herb boswellia can treat it), food allergies, obesity (herb
guggul recommended for burning fat and coholesterl and the herb garnicia
cambozia for suppressing appetite and aiding digestion; boswellia, garlic,
ginger, cayenne, black pepper, and fenugreek help increase metabolism),
bad breath (herb triphala can treat it; chew roasted cumin, fennel, and
coriander seeds)
gastritis (meditation is often used to treat it), hiccups (honey mixed with
castor oil is recommended; pinch of mayur chandrika bhasma with honey can
treat also treat hiccups), Crohn's disease (herb boswellia can treat it)
8. RESPIRATORY SYSTEM - pneumonia (herbal mixture of sitopaladi,
punarnava, pippali, abhrak bhasma, and chyavanprash is recommended)
hay fever (basil tea with honey, calamus, gotu kola, ginger, cloves, ephedra,
bayberry, eucalyptus oil, menthol, camphor, ginger paste are effective in
treating this disease), coughs (lemon juice and honey are recommended, as
well as herb shatavari or an herbal mixture of sitopaladi, yasti madhu,
punarnava, kant kari, and vasaka), bronchitis (herbal mixture of sitopaladi,
punarnava, trikatu, and mahasudarshan is recommended), influenza, congestion,
sore throat, sinus congestion, sinus heachache, allergies (herb triphala
can treat it; seen as a result of impaired digestion), asthma, hoarse voice
9. URINARY SYSTEM - genitourinary disorder, cystitis (herbs shatavari,
punarnava, guduchi, and kamadudha can treat it),
10. REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS - premenstrual syndrome, menorrhagia (excessive menstruation) (red raspberry, herbs manjistha and shatavari can treat it), menstrual disorders, herpes (herbal mixture of shatavari, guwel sattva, kamadudha, and neem is recommended; tikta ghee can also treat herpes), sexual dysfunction
11. SKIN - Pain after
operations, hair loss (herbs ashwagandha and amla stimulate hair growth;
apply bhringaraj oil or brahmi oil to scalp regularly)
skin cancer, acne (tumeric and sandalwood paste are recommended; drink aloe-vera
juice until acne clears), candidiasis (trikatu, ginger, cayenne, neem and
long pepper can treat it), skin disorders, skin inflammation, insect bites
(drink cilantro juice; apply sandalwood paste to sting, nail problems, periodontal
(gum) disease, rashes, swelling, eczema (herbal mixture of kutki, manjista,
tumeric, and neem is recommended), wounds
hemorrhoids (compound triphala is recommended; mixture of sesame seeds and
shatavari with ginger is recommended; herb triphala guggulu can treat hemorrhoids),
burns (apply paste of fresh aloe vera gel or plain ghee, coconut oil, licorice
ghee, or tikta ghee), cuts (aloe vera gel with tumeric applied locally,
or tikta ghee is recommended), boils (apply cooked onions to boils; apply
paste of tumeric and ginger powder), prostatitis rashes (herbs amla, riphla,
neem, silajit, ashwagandha, and bala can treat them, as can exercises such
as ashiwin mudra)
12. IMMUNE SYSTEM - tonsillitis
13. ADDICTIONS - Smoking
14. EMBRYOLOGY - infertility
Application of the Medicine
Ayurvedic medicine treats the majority
of its patients with herbal mixtures and other organic foods and substances.
Ayurveda has a legacy of using herbal preparations that have been clinically
tested and are now being scientifically validated. Some of the other alternative
treatments ayurveda utilizes to maximize a patient's homeostasis and energy
balance include, diet, meditation, massage, oxygen therapy (breathing),
yoga, and music therapy.
Modern Medicine's Perspective
Ayurvedic medicine treats the majority
of its patients with herbal mixtures and other organic foods and substances.
Ayurveda has a legacy of using herbal preparations that have been clinically
tested and are now being scientifically validated. Some of the other alternative
treatments ayurveda utilizes to maximize a patient's homeostasis and energy
balance include, diet, meditation, massage, oxygen therapy (breathing),
yoga, and music therapy.
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