Ayurveda Medicine: The Natural Health Phenomenon

First Yoga, now Ayurveda. An old alternative medicine, with a history steeped in Hinduism and ancient texts, Ayurveda is gaining prominence all over the world.

Born nearly 3,000 years ago in the Indian Subcontinent, Ayurveda survives today and has even spread into the West. This holistic approach to medicine, meaning knowledge of human life, is a system of natural approaches to living healthy encompassing physical, spiritual, mental and social well-being.

According to Ayurveda, sickness and disease are not the result of pathogens and infectious agents, as is taught by modern science, but are the result of imbalance in the ‘doshas’. The three doshas that govern well-being are Vata (space/air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (water/earth). Vata rules mental mobility, Pitta rules digestion from food to ideas, and Kapha rules substance. The main concept is that, for healthy living, the three doshas need to be in balance; disease is actually the result of imbalances in the three doshas.

Each individual, according to Ayurveda, is born with a unique balance of the three doshas making up our Prakruti, or constitution. Over our lives, most of us acquire Vikruti, or imbalances, and it is Ayurveda that can help individuals to regain their balance.

To keep this delicate balance, Ayurveda prescribes specific daily and season routines for each individual. We are happiest and healthiest, according to Ayurveda belief, when our own daily cycles merge with the natural cycle of the sun, moon, earth and other planets in our solar system.

Generally speaking, our mornings should be in tune with the rising of the sun. The ideal time to rise is two hours before sunrise. It is at dawn that one should ‘relieve’ themselves. It is also taught that one should not suppress natural physical urges such as hunger, thirst, sleep, and the like. Cleanliness is also very important. Washing oneself thoroughly is key to maintaining a healthy well-being.

Exercise is also an important aspect in Ayurveda however too much or exercise that is too intense can aggravate vata and lead to an imbalance. According to Ayurveda, body massage is important for every individual. The Ayurvedic massage can help with pain relief, circulation, stress, sleep, flexibility, strength and much more.

Due to stringent regulations on medical practices, here in the West the Ayurvedic Massage Treatment, along with diet and herbal advice, is the most common and often only form of Ayurveda in practice. While many practitioners are pushing for a greater acceptance of the ancient medicine, Ayurveda is most commonly practiced in its full form in India. However even this hasn’t always been the case.

Traditionally, Ayurveda practitioners were paid by their patients and their communities for their expertise. However, when the British government in India began organizing hospitals and health-care institutions, Ayurveda was no longer included. It was only after Indian independence in 1947 that Ayurveda started to regain its acceptance. Today Ayurveda is practiced in many parts of India and continues to grow world-wide.

While it remains to be seen whether this form of medicine, based on teachings thousands of years old, will ever gain a true wide acceptance it continues to marry with contemporary institutions. It is possible to obtain a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery in India. These degrees combine standard medical science subject along with Ayurvedic subjects.