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AYURVEDA |
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Ayurveda, a traditional holistic health care system,
older than any other system of medicine, has been practiced in India
for more than 5000 years. Ayurveda, recognized as alternative medicine
now, represents the science of life and longevity originating in the
Vedic traditions of India. Based on the principle of eternal life,
this holistic health care system has a vast body of knowledge covering
eight branches. Its major premise involves the symbiosis of mind,
body and spirit. Any imbalance in this synthesis results in physical
ailments. This ancient Indian medicine seeks to reestablish the harmony
between the body and its habitat by creating the optimum health environment.
Over the centuries ayurveda has had a nurturing influence on ancient
Chinese systems of medicine, Unani medicine, and the humoral medicine
practiced by Hippocrates in Greece. The current knowledge about this
ancient Indian medicine is primarily drawn from the Charaka Samhita
(though there are earlier versions, Charaka Samhita in its present
form is estimated to date from 1st century AD), Vagbhatta's Astanga
Hridaya (approximately 500 AD), and the Susruta Samhita (the Susruta
Samhita is believed to have originated in the last centuries BC, but
the date of its present version is fixed by researchers at 7th century
AD). These three classic texts describe the basic principles and theories
from which this alternative medicine has evolved. They reflect an
overwhelming wealth of clinical as well as surgical information, enriched
further by later research, on the management of a multitude of diseases
and ailments. |
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The entire science of ayurveda is based
on the 'Five Great Elements' (Panchmahabhuta) theory.
These five elements are earth (prithvi), water (jal), fire
(agni or tej), air (vayu) and ether or space (akash). In popular
tradition, the universe is understood to be made up of these
elements.
Ayurveda comprehends body, mind and spirit likewise and has
specific methods for working on each. It divides the constitution
of people into three humoral categories--Vata (ether/air),
Pitta (fire) and Kapha (water/earth). Vata rules mental mobility.
Pitta, or fire, governs digestion and assimilation on all
levels from food to ideas. And kapha or water governs form
and substance and is responsible for weight, cohesion and
stability.
Using these three types in combinations of two creates six
more subtypes. A seventh subtype also exists, which is a combination
of all the three categories.
According to the concept of good management, ayurveda insists
that the 'fault' or dosha, the 'tissue' or dhatu and the 'impurity'
or mala should be in harmony with each other, with all the
components properly balanced. Any discordant note in this
synthesis due to external or internal causes is a cause for
concern. These are basically therapeutic measures taken either
to prevent diseases or cure them. Thus ayurvedic procedures
are done either to detoxify the body or as a prelude to strengthening
the immune system. Panchakarma or 'five procedures', is the
most sought after detoxification therapy, which paves the
way for the culmination of ayurvedic treatment of healing--anti-aging
(Kaya Kalpa).. |
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