The term “ayurveda” comes from the Sanskrit words ayu (life) and Veda (knowledge). It’s an ancient healthcare tradition that has been used in India for at least 5,000 years. Proponents of ayurvedic medicine believe it’s effective and can be used to help people live long, healthy lives. But it’s not backed by rigorous scientific studies that meet Western standards, and few of its treatments have been proven effective against specific diseases.
Ayurvedic practices include a healthy diet, yoga, meditation, herbal remedies, and stress management. They’re designed to promote balance in the body and mind and help you connect with nature, says Douillard. “The goal is to prevent stress before it breaks your body down,” she says. The practice focuses on balancing the doshas — energies derived from the elements of air, water, fire, earth, and space — in your body to create optimal health.
Douillard says that Ayurvedic principles can help you manage your health and stress and that it’s important to find a practitioner you trust. She recommends asking your primary care doctor for guidance and checking regulations in your state. In the United States, ayurvedic practitioners must be certified by a national credentialing board and licensed in the practice of Ayurvedic medicine.
Ayurvedic beliefs say everyone has 3 energy types, or doshas, that dictate emotional strengths and weaknesses, the foods you crave, the exercise you should do, and more. Factors such as stress, an unhealthy diet, the weather, and strained relationships can disrupt the energy balance between your doshas, leaving you more susceptible to disease.
Why is Ayurveda Important?
Ayurvedic treatment focuses on prevention and the creation of a balance between your mind, body, and consciousness. It also places high importance on a healthy diet and right thinking. The knowledge of Ayurvedic practice gives you the tools to create your health and well-being through self-observation, herbal remedies, and dietary changes.
Ayurveda believes that people are an intrinsic part of their habitat – the universe and that they need to exist in harmony with it. The world around them, including their diet and lifestyle, has a direct impact on the function of the body and the mind. When this harmony is disrupted, illness can occur.
According to Ayurveda, there are five basic elements found in the universe – space, air, fire, water, and earth. These elements combine in the human body to form three life forces or energies known as doshas – Vata dosha (space and air), Pitta dosha (fire and water), and Kapha dosha (water and earth).
When your dosha is balanced, you feel good and are generally healthy. When they become vitiated, you can experience discomfort in your physical being like pain, fatigue, and anxiety.
Ayurvedic medicine aims to keep the doshas in equilibrium through diet, exercise, yoga, and breathing exercises. It is important to note that Ayurvedic practices can be complementary to, rather than replace, standard medical care. For this reason, always speak to your doctor before using any herbs or supplements, especially if you are taking medications or are pregnant or breastfeeding.
What is Interesting about Ayurvedic Medicine?
Developed in India more than 3,000 years ago, Ayurvedic medicine uses lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to help balance the body-mind-spirit. It is based on the idea that disease is due to imbalance or stress. It incorporates herbal remedies, yoga, and massage therapy to restore a healthy relationship with the world around you.
Ayurvedic practitioners believe that every person has a specific constitution, known as Prakriti. These traits determine the physical, physiologic, and mental character and disease vulnerability of the individual. Ayurvedic treatment takes these individual differences into account.
Each person has a balance of three energy types: pitta, vata, and Kapha. Pitta energy is linked to fire and controls the endocrine and digestive systems. People with this energy type are considered fiery in temperament and intelligence, but when pitta is out of balance, inflammation, digestive issues, heartburn, and anger can result.
Vata energy is linked to space and air, which controls bodily movement, including blood circulation. When this energy is out of balance, it can lead to arthritis, dry skin, and constipation. Kapha energy is linked to water and earth, which is thought to control strength and growth. When this energy is out of balance, sluggish metabolism, diabetes, obesity, and sinus issues can result.
Ayurvedic practices may seem ancient, but research has shown that they can be effective in promoting health and decreasing pain and depression. Ayurvedic practices may also promote neuro adaptability, which is the ability of the nervous system to change its response over time to reoccurring stressors, says Bala Manyam, neurologist and professor emeritus at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine.
What are the methods of Ayurveda?
Ayurvedic texts believe that the universe is comprised of five elements: vayu (air), Aakash (water), Prithvi (earth), air, and Tejas (fire). The ancient Indians believed that illness was caused by imbalances in these energies. They used various techniques and herbs to restore balance.
One of the main aims of Ayurveda is to keep diseases away by promoting health and preventing disease through prevention therapies called Rasayana chikitsa. This branch of Ayurveda also includes rejuvenation therapies and focuses on keeping the body strong enough to fight disease.
Sage physician Acharya Sushruta detailed the first surgery procedures in his oldest Ayurvedic treatise, the Sushrut Samhita, which is considered the ‘father of surgery.’ He performed complex operations such as rhinoplasties, cleft lip and palate repairs, and cesarean sections.
Among the practices included in this holistic approach to healthcare are exercise and meditation, such as yoga, which has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety. Ayurvedic medicine also encourages getting outside, especially in nature, for fresh air and to recharge the mind and body with natural elements. This may include walking, hiking, and sitting by bodies of water such as rivers and lakes.
According to the American College of Integrative Medicine, the herb ashwagandha has been shown to promote healthy sleep patterns. But before trying any herbal supplements, talk to your doctor. Not all herbs are safe for everyone, and some can interfere with certain medications.
How many plants are used in Ayurvedic treatment?
The word Ayurveda means “the science of life.” It is an ancient Indian healing system that promotes wellness by balancing the mind, body, and spirit. Ayurvedic herbs are a vital part of this holistic approach to medicine. While some of these herbs have some scientific backing, it’s important to talk to your doctor before trying any new herbal supplements. Here are 12 Ayurvedic herbs with health benefits and a bit of history behind them.
Mother Earth is a rich land where we can find many medicinal plants that can cure various diseases and improve the quality of life. Many modern medicines are inspired by plants and their components.
Medicinal plants are the main ingredient in Ayurvedic treatments and have been used for centuries. They are also a natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs which have a lot of side effects and are expensive.
Ayurvedic herbs are rich in a variety of nutrients. They are known to have antioxidant properties, improve digestion, and prevent certain illnesses. They have also been shown to help with weight loss and increase energy levels.
Some of the most popular Ayurvedic herbs are turmeric, tulsi, ginger, and cinnamon. These spices are good for a range of health issues, from digestive problems to anxiety and depression. They can also improve blood circulation and reduce pain. Ashwagandha is another Ayurvedic herb that’s been shown to boost the immune system and reduce inflammation. It contains the alkaloid piperine, which has been shown to amplify the absorption of other herbs in your body.
Why is food important in Ayurveda?
For thousands of years, Ayurveda — the ancient Indian system of healing that focuses on health and wellness through balance and harmony with nature and the body’s natural rhythms — has promoted food as one of the most important sources of vitality and good health. Long before Hippocrates instructed “Let food be thy medicine,” Ayurvedic doctors were embracing this concept, with some basic dietary rules that are still in play today:
Ayurvedic doctors believe that when digestion is strong, a person’s ojas (vitality) increases. In contrast, poor digestion creates ama (toxins) that can lead to indigestion, acid stomach, constipation, skin issues, allergies, low energy, and weakened immunity.
According to Ayurvedic principles, whole foods are easier to digest than processed foods and should be well-cooked rather than raw. Ice-cold foods and drinks can also dampen digestion and are generally avoided. Ayurvedic practitioners recommend avoiding foods that contain too much salt and sugar, or that are highly processed — such as frozen, canned, or boxed foods – which can rob the body of essential nutrients.
Ayurvedic chefs are also encouraged to use a variety of cooking spices that may support digestion and boost the body’s immunity, such as turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, coriander, cardamom, fennel, and licorice. Ghee, clarified butter, is another staple of an Ayurvedic diet, as it is thought to increase rasa (or the quality of taste) and improve digestive fire. Ayurvedic texts include detailed food classifications based on their properties, and the science of food is known as Dravya Guna Sastra.
