Post on 06-Sep-2015
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AyurvedaisthemostancientandtraditionalsystemofmedicineinIndia.TheAyurvedicsystemofmedicationisbased on many centuries of experience in medical practice, handed down through generations. AyurvedicmedicineoriginatedintheearlycivilizationsofIndiasome3,0005,000yearsagomakingAyurvedicmedicinetheoldestsurvivinghealingsystemintheworld.
AyurvedaTheIndianScienceofLifeThe word Ayurveda is formed by the combination of two words "Ayu" meaning life, and "Veda" meaningknowledge.Ayurveda is regarded as "TheScience of Life" and the practice involves the care of physical,mentalandspiritualhealthofhumanbeings.
LifeaccordingtoAyurvedaisacombinationofsenses,mind,bodyandsoul.Ayurvedaisnotonlylimitedtobodyorphysicalsymptomsbutalsogivesacomprehensiveknowledgeaboutspiritual,mentalandsocialhealth.ThusAyurvedaisaqualitative,holisticscienceofhealthandlongevity,aphilosophyandsystemofhealingthewholeperson,bodyandmind.
ThetwoprincipleobjectivesofAyurvedaare:
1. Toprolonglifeandpromoteperfecthealth2. Tocompletelyeradicatethediseaseanddysfunctionofthebody.
AnothergoalofAyurvedaistoachieve"Nirvana"orliberationfromallkindsof"Wants".Thisisprimarilyachievedthroughgoodhealth,whichisregardedasthesupremefoundationoflife.
According to Ayurveda, all matter is thought to he composed of five basic elements known asthePanchamahabhuthas Earth (Prithvi),Water (Jala), Fire (Tejas),Wind (Vayu) andSpace (Akasha).Theseelements interact and exists in combination, in which one or more elements dominate. The human body iscomposedofderivativesofthesefivebasicelements,intheformofdoshas,tissues(dhatus)andwasteproducts(malas). ThePanchmahabhutas therefore serve as the foundation of all diagnosis and treatmentmodalities inAyurveda.
Ayurveda advocates that the primary and essential factors of the human body that govern our entire physicalstructureandfunction, isacombinationofanytwoof thefivebhutaswiththepredominanceofone.This is themostfundamentalandcharacteristicprincipleofAyurvedaandiscalled"Tridosha"ortheThreeHumours.TheyarecategorizedintoVata,PittaandKapha.Vatagovernsmovement,Pitta isconcernedwithfunctionsofheat,metabolism,andenergyproductionandKapha,governsphysicalstructureandfluidbalance.ThusinAyurveda,diseaseisviewedasastateofimbalanceinoneormoreofthesedoshas,andthetreatmentsaimstoestablishthebalanceinthesethreefundamentalqualities.
Vata Pitta Kapha
BasicFunction
Governsbodilyfunctionsconcernedwithmovement.
Governsbodilyfunctionsconcernedwithheat,metabolism,andenergyproduction
Governsbodilyfunctionsconcernedwithphysicalstructure,andfluidbalance.
Qualities Movingquick,light,cold,minutes,roughdry,leadstheorderdoshas.
Hot,sharp,light,acidic,slightly,oily.
Heavy,oily,slow,cold,steady,solid,dull.
Resultsof Mentalalertness Normalheatandthirst Muscularstrength
KnowyourskinandskintypeforeffectiveSkinCare AyurvedaBodyTypeAyurvedicmedicineandAyurvedictreatment
Balance ProperformationofbodytissuesNormalalimentationStrongimmunitySoundsleepSenseofexhilaration
mechanismStrongdigestionSharpintellectLustrouscomplexioncontentment
StrongimmunityAffection,generosity,courage,dignityHealthy,Normal,JointsVitalityandstaminaStabilityofmind
ResultsofImbalance
DryorRoughSkinConstipationCommonfatigue(nonspecificcause)TensionheadachesUnderweightInsomniaIntoleranceofcoldAnxiety,worry
Rashes,skininflammationsHeartburnPrematuregraying,baldnessHostility,irritabilityVisualproblemsExcessivebodyheat
OilyskinSinuscongestionObesitySlowdigestionNasalallergiesLethargy,dullness
VataVataistheforemostofthethreeAyurvedicPrinciplesinthebody.Itgovernsallmovementinthemindandbody.Itcontrolsbloodflow,eliminationofwastes,breathingandthemovementof thoughtsacross themind. It'sveryimportanttokeepVataingoodbalance.TherelatedelementsareAirandEther.
CommoncharacteristicsofpeoplehavingpredominantlyVataconstitutionCreativity,mentalquicknessHighlyimaginativeQuicktolearnandgraspnewknowledge,butalsoquicktoforgetSexuallyeasilyexcitableandsatiableSlendernesslightestofthethreebodytypesTalkandwalkquicklyTendencytowardcoldhandsandfeet,discomfortincoldclimatesLively,funlovingpersonalityHighenergyinshortburststendencytotireeasilyandtooverexertRespondtostresswithfear,worry,andanxiety,especiallywhenoutofbalanceTendencytoactonimpulseGenerallyhavedryskinanddryhairanddon'tperspiremuch
Typicalhealthproblemsincludeheadaches,hypertension,drycoughs,sorethroats,earaches,anxiety, irregularheart rhythms, muscle spasms, lower back pain, constipation, abdominal gas, diarrhea, nervous stomach,menstrual cramps, premature ejaculation and other sexual dysfunctions, arthritis.Most neurological disordersarerelatedtoVataimbalance.
TreatmentofDigestiveDisordersinAyurveda Ayurvedastressandstrainrelieftreatments
PittaPitta is a force created by the dynamic interplay of water and fire. These forces represent transformation. Itgovernsdigestion,absorption,assimilation,nutrition,metabolism,bodytemperature,skincoloration,thelusterofthe eyes, intelligence, and understanding. Psychologically, pitta arouses anger, hate, and jealousy. The smallintestine,stomach,sweatglands,blood,fat,eyes,andskinaretheseatsofPitta.
CommoncharacteristicsofpeoplehavingpredominantlyPittaconstitutionMediumphysique,strong,wellbuiltSharpmind,goodconcentrationpowersOrderly,focusedAssertive,selfconfident,andentrepreneurialattheirbestaggressive,demanding,pushywhenoutofbalancePassionateandromanticsexuallyhavemorevigorandendurancethanVatas,butlessthanKaphasWhenunderstress,PittasbecomeirritatedandangrySkinfairorreddish,oftenwithfrecklessunburnseasilyUncomfortableinsunorhotweatherheatmakesthemverytiredPerspirealotGoodpublicspeakersalsocapableofsharp,sarcastic,cuttingspeechLiketospendmoney,surroundthemselveswithbeautifulobjectsSubjecttotempertantrums,impatienceandangerHairusuallyfineandstraight,tendingtowardblondorred,typicallyturnsgrayearlytendencytowardbaldnessorthinninghair
Typicalphysicalproblemsincluderashesorinflammationsoftheskin,acne,boils,skincancer,ulcers,heartburn,acidstomach,hotsensationsinthestomachorintestines,insomnia,bloodshotorburningeyesandothervisionproblems,anemia,jaundice.
KaphaKapha is the conceptual equilibrium of water and earth. It maintains body resistance. Water is the mainconstituentofkapha,andthisbodilywaterisresponsiblephysiologicallyforbiologicalstrengthandnaturaltissueresistance in the body. Kapha is present in the chest, throat, head, sinuses, nose, mouth, stomach, joints,cytoplasm,plasma,andintheliquidsecretionsofthebodysuchasmucus.Psychologically,kaphaisresponsiblefor the emotions of attachment, greed, and longstanding envy. It is also expressed in tendencies towardcalmness,forgiveness,andlove.Thechestistheseatofkapha.
CommoncharacteristicsofpeoplehavingpredominantlyKaphaconstitutionEasygoing,relaxed,slowpacedAffectionateandlovingForgiving,compassionate,nonjudgmentalnature,stableandreliablefaithfulPhysicallystrongandwithasturdy,heavierbuildSlowmovingandgracefulSlowertolearn,butneverforgetsoutstandinglongtermmemorySlowspeech,reflectingadeliberatethoughtprocessSofthairandskintendencytohavelargeeyesandalow,softvoiceTendtowardbeingoverweightmayalsosufferfromsluggishdigestionPronetoheavy,oppressivedepressions
AyurvedaDietandAyurvedicDietTips Ayurvedafordepressiontreatment
SexuallyKaphasaretheslowesttobearoused,buttheyalsohavethemostenduranceSlowtoangerstrivetomaintainharmonyandpeaceintheirsurroundingsTendtobepossessiveandholdontothings,people,money
Physical problems include colds and congestion, sinus headaches, respiratory problems including asthma andwheezing,hayfever,allergies,andatherosclerosis(hardeningofthearteries).
Ayurvedahaseightspecializedbranches:
InternalmedicineSurgeryManagementofdiseasesofEye&ENTPediatricsPsychotherapyincludingSeizuresbyevilspiritsToxicologyGeriatricsScienceofaphrodisiacs