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Ayurveda the traditional form
of Indian medicine was developed by ancient sages whose
astute observations led to the development of constitutional
medicine. Traditional Chinese Medicine too has similar origins.
Over the past 5000 years the Ayurvedic and chinese traditions have
developed sophisticated systems of medicines. The ancients
visualized the universe as a constant play of energies, an
imbalance of which created discomfort and disease in the body. It
was the duty of the vaidya/ (physician) to harmonize this
imbalance of the body - mind environment.
 Ayurveda is an intricate system of healing that originated in
India thousands of years ago. This system of medicine stressed on
the prevention of body ailments in addition to curing them.
Followed by the Dravidians and Aryans alike, Ayurveda has been
practised ever since.
Ayurveda is more than just a medical system. It is a Science of
Life. Ayurveda is 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. In essence Ayurveda
has been in existence since the beginning of time because nature's
laws have always governed us.
History
Ayurveda[ayur + veda] is considered to be a sub-veda or the
branch of knowledge that is concerned with the physical health and
happiness on earth, which therefore assumes great significance to
human life. Vedic culture was based on the Vedas [four books of
knowledge] the origin of which dates back to 40000 years. This is
an indication to the age-old roots of Ayurveda. Ancient
physicians segmented the universe into different types of
manifested energy and attributed the very same energy to food and
herbs.
Ayurveda or the 'science longevity' is the system of nature
cure. It is known to promote positive health, natural beauty and
long life. Although rooted in antiquity, Ayurveda is based on
universal principles and is a living, growing body of knowledge -
as useful today as it was in earlier centuries.
Branches of Ayurveda
Ayurveda has eight specialized branches, namely internal medicine
including gynaecology, surgery, the treatment of diseases of the
head and neck, toxicology, paediatrics, psychiatry and
rejuvenation therapy.
In India, Ayurvedic spas can be found all over the country. The
most famous Ayurveda Shalas are found in Kerala.
Kerala's equable climate, natural abundance of forests (with a
wealth of herbs and medicinal plants), and the cool monsoon season
(June - November) are best suited for Ayurveda's curative and
restorative packages. Kerala is the only State in India, which
practises this system of medicine with absolute dedication.
Today, it's a unique, indispensable branch of medicine - a
complete naturalistic system that depends on the diagnosis of your
body's vata, pitta and kapha - to achieve the right
balance. Ayurveda believes in the treatment of not just the
affected part, but also the individual as a whole. Making it the
natural way to refresh yourself, eliminate all toxic imbalances
from the body and thus regain resistance and good health.
Monsoon - Time for
rejuvenation
Traditional texts reveal that the monsoon is the best season for
rejuvenation programmes. The atmosphere remains dust-free and
cool, opening the pores of the body to the maximum, making it most
receptive to herbal oils and therapy.
The
Ancient method of Meditation
The main quality that Ayurveda has drawn from Charaka Samhita is
the removing the cause of the illness & not just curing the
disease itself. According to Charaka a noted practitioner of
Ayurveda India "a physician who fails to enter the body of a
patient with the lamp of knowledge & understanding can never cure
the diseases. He should first study all the factors, including
environment, which influence a patient's disease, and then
prescribe medication. Prevention is more important than cure.
Ayurveda believes that human being consists of the five elements,
air, water, fire, ether & earth. And the combination of any of
these elements exists in each one of us. There are mainly three
types of Dosha's or combinations
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Vata -- ether
& air, governs the movement, nervous system, circulation,
respiration & elimination.
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Pitta -- Fire
& water combined governs the metabolism
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Kapha --
water & earth combined governs growth
The system of Ayurveda
says that there are unique proportions of the dosha's in each body
& the accumulation of any one dosha could cause physical ailments
or disorders. Ayurveda suggests lifestyle & nutritional remedial
measures and sometimes medicines or massages to reduce the excess
of the dosha.
This Art of healing has been held in high esteem in India. In
mythology Dhanwantari is regarded as the god of medicine & the
parishioners were known as Ashwini kumars.
Benefits of Ayurveda
When alternative lifestyles and stressful schedules are talking
points in the cosmopolitan circuits, Ayurveda, the art of ancient
Indian healing cannot be far behind. The inability of modern
allopathy to allay all sicknesses and diseases has made an
increasing number of people turn to Ayurveda, which has a
cornucopia of ancient secret cures for stubborn diseases. Along
with yoga, Ayurveda is the new balm for fevered souls. It uses
natural herbs and their oils to treat ailments and ensure a
healthy life. Most of the centres for Ayurveda, called Ayurveda
Shalas, are in Kerala on the South Coast. This is beach country as
well, so bring along your sunscreens and hats. In fact many
westerners have made Ayurvedic spas their annual treat, combining
a relaxing holiday with cleansing for their bodies.
Ayurvedic Massages
Say "massage" in the context of an Asian country, and the first
thoughts that come flooding in are those of the exotic massage
parlours of Pattaya. But an Ayurvedic massage is the real thing.
These are serious life-enriching massages, so be prepared to get
some energetic flesh pounding from experts. While you soak in the
herbs you can watch the beaches of Vizhinjam packed with boats out
to sail in the sunset. From the beach you can see their lights
strung out like pearls in a necklace from the coast. Look forward
to being draped with pieces of linen, dipped in lukewarm herbal
oils, all over the body by two to four trained therapists in a
special rhythmic way. This goes on continuously for about 60 to 90
minutes per day for a period of 7 to 21 days, and is said to be an
effective remedy for rheumatic diseases. It's supposed to be good
for your nerves too and should pep up your overall energy levels
as well.
Restoring Balance
Ayurveda believes that the imbalance of fire, air and phlegm
causes disease in the human body and tries to correct it majorly
through cleaning and massage. Once the balance of humours is
restored, the body copes better with external factors like
pollution, strain and infections.
Oils
and herbs
The herbs used in Ayurveda are indigenous to Kerala's moist
climate. The type of oil used for massage differs according to the
ailment being treated. It is one of these: camphor, neem, mustard
and castor. To these are added various powdered herbs, nuts and
the bark of trees. The Ayurvedic practitioner may conduct the
massage using the palm of the hand, poultices, and cloth.
Traditionally, Ayurvedic massage is used on trainee Kathakali
dancers, and students of kalaraipayattu. The guru massages the
student's head and shoulders with his hands, but uses his feet to
stretch and flex the student's legs and back, since flexibility is
essential to classical dance and martial art.
Rejuvenating Programmes
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Rasayana Chikitsa - Rejuvenation
Therapy
Tones up the skin and rejuvenates and strengthens all the
tissues so as to achieve ideal health and longevity. Increases 'Ojas'
(primary vitality) and improves 'Sattva' (mental clarity) and
thereby increases the resistance of the body. Includes head and
face massage with medicated oils and creams, body massage with
herbal oil or powder by hand and foot, internal rejuvenating
medicines and medicated steam bath. Herbal baths are also used.
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Kayakalpa Chikitsa - Body
Immunisation And Longevity Treatment
This therapy is a prime treatment for retarding the ageing
process, arresting the degeneration of body cells and
immunisation of the system. Includes intake of Rasayana (special
Ayurvedic medicines and diet) and comprehensive body care
programmes. Most effective if undertaken before the age of 50.
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Sweda Karma - Body Sudation
Medicated steam baths eliminate impurities from the body,
improve the tone and complexion of the skin, reduce fat and are
recommended for certain rheumatic diseases, particularly for
pain. Precious herbs and herbal leaves are boiled and the steam
is passed over the entire body for 10 to 20 minutes daily. Hand
massage with herbal oils or herbal powder improves blood
circulation and tones up the muscles.
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Body Slimming
Medicated herbal powder and medicated herbal oil massages, an
Ayurvedic diet of herbal juices etc. are part of the programme.
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Beauty Care
Herbal face pack, herbal oil massage, intake of herbal tea etc.
improves complexion and beautifies the body.
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Mental And Physical Well Being
(Meditation and Yoga)
Mental and physical exercises meant to isolate the ego from the
body and mind - designed to hone your concentration, improve
health and help attain peace of mind through eight stages of
training:
1.Disciplined behaviour (yama)
2.Self purification (niyama)
3.Bodily postures such as the lotus position (asana)
4.Control of breathing (pranayama)
5.Control of the senses (pratyahara)
6.Fixing of the mind on a chosen object (dharana)
7.Meditation (dhyana) and
8.Samadhi - a state of being where you experience absolute
tranquillity and well-being.
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Overall Fitness (Panchakarma
Treatment)
A five-fold treatment for mental and physical well-being - tunes
the body, organs, mind, breath, nerves and purifies the blood.
Panchkarma
Panch Karma is the cornerstone of Ayurvedic treatment. While diet,
lifestyle, and herbal supplements play roles in creating &
maintaining health Panch Karma is the process, which gets to the
root cause of the problem. There are several eliminative
procedures in Panch Karma : --
This five-fold purification therapy aims at correcting the
imbalance of the body's Doshas or bio energies (Vata, Pitta and
Kapha) in order to maintain their inherent equilibrium and Ama,
which forms as a result. Panchakarma therapy has three main stages
: Poorvakarma, Pradhanakarma and Paschatkarma.
Poorvakarma, the first stage, comprises essential preliminary
procedures for preparing the body to unload stored toxins. The
treatments help to loosen Ama (toxins) and move it out to the deep
structures into the gastro-intestinal tract, where Panchakarma's
cleaning therapies can then eliminate it.
Pradhanakarma is the second stage and includes the main cleansing
therapies.
Paschatkarma is the final stage and describes the measures
employed after the main treatment, such as diet, medicines and
daily routine.
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Vamana -- therapeutic Vomiting --
promotes elimination from the stomach & thoracic cavity --
Administering herbal decoction to induce therapeutic vomiting.
Very beneficial for Kapha imbalances such as asthma, cough,
psoriasis and other skin disorders.
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Virechana -- puragation --
promotes elimination from the small intestine -- Administration
of Virechak Aushdhi, a purgative, in milk or warm water.
Alleviates excess Pitta in the body and helps treat dermatitis,
chronic fever, heartburn and jaundice.
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Vasti -- therapeutic enema --
works on the colon -- An oil enema. The main seat of the Vata
Doshi is Pakwashaya (large intestine), therefore Vasti is the
main therapy for all Vata disorders such as constipation,
neurological ailments, paralysis, flatulence, lower backache,
gout and rheumatism.
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