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