AYURVEDA

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is considered by many scholars to be the oldest healing science. In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “The Science of Life.” Ayurvedic knowledge originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and is often called the “Mother of All Healing.” It stems from the ancient Vedic culture and was taught for many thousands of years in an oral tradition from accomplished masters to their disciples. Some of this knowledge was set to print a few thousand years ago, but much of it is inaccessible. The principles of many of the natural healing systems now familiar in the West have their roots in Ayurveda, including Homeopathy and Polarity Therapy.

History of Ayurveda

The ancient rishis or seers of truth, discovered truth by means of religious practices & disciplines. Through intensive meditation, they manifested truth in their daily lives. Ayurvedic system of health is conversance of practical, philosophical & religious experiences of the great sages. The historical evidence of Ayurveda can be found in ancient books of wisdom known as the Vedas. Atharva Veda, that is known to have been written over 10,000 years ago, describes Ayurveda as a system that helps maintain health in a person by using the inherent principles of nature to bring the individual back into equilibrium with their true self.

Ayurvedic Body Types

Ayurveda is based on the principles of three doshas or the three basic energy types which are further classified as vata, pitta & kapha. According to Ayurveda, these doshas or energies can be found in everyone and everything thus making them the essential building blocks of the material world. All the three doshas combine to create different climates, different foods, different species, and even different individuals within the same species and perform different physiological functions in every individual body. In fact, the particular ratio of vata, pitta, and kapha within each of us has a significant influence on our individual physical, mental, and emotional character traits.

Kapha Dosha (water energy)

Kapha is composed primarily of the earth and water elements. It is the energy that lends structure and solidity to all things and provides the cohesiveness needed to maintain a particular form. It controls growth in body and provides water to all parts of the body. As a result, it hydrates all cells and systems, lubricates the joints, moisturizes the skin, maintains immunity and protects the tissues. When in balance, it is expressed as love and forgiveness; and when it goes out of balance it can lead to feelings of insecurity & envy.

Vata Dosha (wind energy)

Vata is predominantly composed of the space and air elements. It is the energy that is linked to creativity & flexibility and controls bodily functions associated with motion, including blood circulation, breathing, blinking, tissue movement, cellular mobility, heartbeat and the communication between mind and the nervous system. When an imbalance of vata dosha occurs in the body, it can produce fear and anxiety.

Pitta Dosha (fire energy)

Pitta is principally made up of the fire and water elements and is an amalgamation of the hot, sharp, light, liquid, oily, and subtle qualities. Pitta is neither mobile nor stable, but spreads. It controls the body’s metabolic systems including digestion, absorption, nutrition, and your body’s temperature. When in balance, it lends contentment & intelligence and its imbalance can cause ulcers and anger

Benefits of Ayurveda Based Lifestyle

It increases immunity
It is natural
It has no side-effects
It recommends eating foods that are easily available, non-toxic & aids in healing
Removes diseases from the root
Improves bodily functions
Increases one’s life span
Relaxes, rejuvenates & revitalizes

Ayurveda for Everyday Life

Ayurveda is best described as the art of living in harmony with the laws of nature. An ancient Indian system of natural and holistic medicine, it promotes living a balanced life by bringing about healthy and natural lifestyle changes. The age old wisdom contained in Ayurveda is as relevant today as it was back in the time. Ayurveda and its principles can easily be adapted in today’s fast paced life to maintain and lead a healthy, stress free and balanced life.

Ayurveda has three main focuses: healing, prevention & healthcare. Health care includes maintenance of good health as well as rejuvenation and methods to achieve longevity. Ayurvedic Home Remedies can prove effective in treating various ailments. But the main focus is on prevention as it is easier to maintain health than to restore it once it has become a wreck.

Ayurveda places great amount of importance on one’s pathya (lifestyle), eating habits and daily routine. It also provides guidance on how one can adjust his/her lifestyle according to the surroundings and inclusion of ayurvedic products and medicinal plants to lead a healthy lifestyle. Including Ayurveda in your everyday life does not require you to undergo a major lifestyle change. Small and minor things like opting for natural or organic ingredients instead of chemically treated products and food items can do the trick.

Moving on from a sedentary lifestyle to a more active one that would include routine exercises like walking can go a long way in keeping you healthy and fit. Drinking fresh juice instead of canned or preservative laden juices and including seasonal & fresh vegetables in your meal will block creation of ama or toxins in the body thus keeping you fresh and active whole day long. Apart from this, Ayurveda also recommends drinking plenty of water through the day as it will help flush out harmful toxins from the body and a glass of warm, before bedtime, to prevent indigestion and get a relaxing and good night’s sleep. If you suffer from indigestion, try these easy natural remedies for indigestion for instant relief.