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