An Introduction To Ayurveda

An introduction to Ayurveda

• Ayurveda is one of the traditional ways of healing various ailments, being practiced in India since time immemorial. • It has come to us as a gift for the well being of the humanity, through our great sages.

Ayurveda – It’s meaning Ayurveda is the combination of 2 words

Ayur - Veda • Ayur meaning The Whole Lifespan • Veda meaning Total Knowledge

The science of Ayurveda, therefore, encompasses treatment of the total knowledge of the whole Lifespan.

Ayurveda – It’s Purpose

Preserving the health of healthy and eliminating suffering of the sick

Balance in Doshas, Balance in Agnis, Balance in Dhatus, Proper elimination, Blissful Senses, Mind and Bliss at the deepest level of Soul is

Health.

Aim of Ayurveda The aim of Ayurveda is proper maintenance of metabolic equilibrium of the human psychosomatic material and the restoration of the same to the normal when disturbed

Health According to Ayurveda Health according to Ayurveda is perfect balance between body, mind, spirit (soul) and the environment. Ayurvedic techniques focus on achieving that balance

Basic Principles of Ayurveda • Ayurveda is based on 3 energies. Their balanced stated is health and imbalance is disease VATA – the kinetic energy PITTA – the thermal energy KAPHA - the potential energy • These are the basic functional units of the cell i.e. they work on cellular level

Concept of 5 Basic Elements All matter in this universe is composed of 5 basic elements. The sense of which is perceived by 5 sense organs Element

Sense

Sense organ

Earth (Prithvi)

Smell

Nose

Water

(Jal)

Taste

Tongue

Fire

(Agni)

Sight

Eyes

Air

(Vayu)

Touch

Skin

Ether (Aakash)

Sound

Ear

Six Taste (Rasa) Concept All food, herbs and medicines have 6 Tastes and are composed of 5 basic elements. Taste

Composition

Example

Sweet

Earth + Water

Clarified Butter, Mango, Banana, Milk

Sour

Earth + Fire

Yogurt, Lemon, Orange, Cheese, Vinegar

Salty

Earth + Water

Sea Salt

Pungent

Air + Fire

Spicy food, Black pepper, Ginger, Cumin

Bitter

Air + Ether

Bitter gourd, Neem,

Astringent

Earth + Water

Spinach, Lentils, Guava,

Elementary Composition of three basic energies Energy

Composition

Potential Energy (Kapha)

Earth + Water

Thermal Energy (Pitta )

Fire

Kinetic Energy (Vata)

Air + Ether

Relationship between Six Tastes (Rasa), Five Elements and Three Energies Six tastes directly effect the 3 energies, according to their elementary composition Taste

Composition

Effect on Three Energies K.E = Kinetic Energy (Vata) T.E = Thermal Energy (Pitta) P.E = Potential Energy (Kapha)

Sweet

Earth + Water

Sour

Earth + Fire

K.E. =

T.E =

P. E =

Salty

Fire + Water

K.E. =

T.E =

P. E =

Pungent

Air + Fire

K.E. =

T.E =

P. E =

Bitter

Air + Ether

K.E. =

T.E =

P. E =

Astringent

Air + Earth

K.E. =

T.E =

P. E =

K.E. =

T.E =

P. E =

What is Disease According to Ayurveda disease is imbalance of three energies i.e. VATA ( Kinetic energy), PITTA (Thermal energy ) KAPHA (Potential energy)

Diagnosis according to Ayurveda Diagnosis according to Ayurveda is not naming the disease, but identification of the imbalance of these three energies by examination of the following Pulse Urine Faecal matter Skin

Eyes Tongue Voice or Speech ‘Aakriti’(Body build)

What is Cure According to Ayurveda any method used to restore the balance of these 3 basic energies is cure

Concept of Endotoxins i.e. Aama • Ayurveda is the only system which offers true answer to all auto-immune disorders like Ulcerative colitis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Scleroderma, Sarcoidosis, Multiple Sclerosis, Nephrotic syndrome, Psoriasis etc. • Endotoxins formed within the body are the root cause of all auto-immune diseases • Complete removal of Endotoxins from the system offers complete cure of auto-immune disease

Methods of healing in Ayurveda Healing by use of herbs, minerals and products from natural resources

Healing by five purification methods known as “Panchkarma”

Healing through divine blessings, prayers meditation and enchanting of mantras etc.

Healing through counseling and psychological consultations

Healing by use of Herbs and Products from Natural Resources

• Ayurveda utilizes herbs and products from natural resources for healing •

Herbs like Neem , Aloe vera, Arjuna, Turmeric, Tulsi ( Holy basil) fight many illnesses including cancer

• Corals, Pearls and Conch etc. are also utilized for healing

Healing by Five Purification methods known as “Panchkarma” The diseases not cured by herbs or minerals are uprooted forever by five purification methods known as “ Panchkarma”

Preparatory procedures for Panchkarma • Snehan (Oleation- Massage with Oils) The first preparatory step is to saturate the body with herbal and medicated oils • Swedan (Hot fomentation) The second preparatory step is therapeutic application of the heat to the body

Five main procedures of Panchkarma Vamna (Therapeutic Emesis) Procedure to cure the diseases related to Potential energy i.e. Kapha by inducing therapeutic emesis Virechana (Therapeutic Purging) Procedure to cure the diseases related to Thermal energy i.e. Pitta Vasti (Therapeutic purification and rejuvenation of the colon) Procedure to cure the diseases related to Kinetic energy i.e. Vata

Nasya ( Therapeutic cleansing of the head region) Procedure to cure the diseases related to head, neck (ear, nose, throat and eyes etc.) Rakt-Mokshan (Therapeutic blood letting) Procedure to cure the chronic diseases related to skin, blood and thermal energy by using suction pumps or leeches

Post Panchkarma Procedures Samsarajan Karma – These are the set of procedures adopted to restore the digestive fire, healthy metabolic functions, immunity etc. by graduated diet and lifestyle.

• Ayurveda heals by activating the natural inherent curative force of the body • It believes in complete cure and not only control of signs and symptoms • It gives more stress on why is the problem rather than what is the problem • Being natural, it is free from side effects, rather side benefits are there • It believes not only in restoration of the static balance but also the Dynamic balance • It is a holistic system of medicine and does not have segregated approach, as it cures the patient as a whole and not the disease only