An Introduction to Ayurveda
AYURVEDA, first introduced to the UK in the 1970s, is gaining increasing interest in the West. Ayurveda is derived from two Sanskrit words – ayur, meaning ‘life’ and veda, meaning ‘knowledge’. Knowledge arranged systematically with logic becomes science, in this case, the science of life This ancient system of natural medical science is practised widely in Kerala, southern India, where it originated around 5000 years ago. |
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It encompasses our whole being – body, mind and spirit – and claims good health is achieved by balancing our physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual states.
Ayurveda teaches that all ailments affect the body and the mind, meaning that anything which affects the mind affects the body, and vice versa. According to Ayurveda, all things in the universe consist of 3 basic elements. In Sanskrit, they are called vata, pitta and kapha. They are thought to control all physical and mental processes and are compared to the workings of the wind, sun and moon. These concepts are called doshas
• VATA – is likened to the wind, which is constantly on the move. This controls the nervous system and health problems associated with vata, include anxiety, tension, hypertension, depression, migraine and irritable bowel syndrome.
Someone with dominant vata energy, it is said, tends to be thin, restless and creative. He/she speaks rapidly, is prone to anxiety,
loves to travel but dislikes cold weather and strong winds.
• PITTA – is likened to the sun, a source of energy. This controls the digestive system and all biochemical processes. Health problems associated with pitta include ulcers, digestive problems, skin complaints, headaches, gall and liver problems.
Characteristics of pitta are strong appetite, loud speech, interest in scientific matters and politics, care with money,
love of sport and a tendency to jealousy, ambition and egotism.
• KAPHA – governs the balance of tissue fluid, controlling cell growth and firmness of the body, rather as the moon governs the tides. Health problems associated with kapha, include hypertension, heart disease, circulatory disorders, diabetes, gall bladder problems, eczema, asthma, sinusitis and bronchitis.
Kapha people tend to be heavy, slow and lethargic. They love peace and quiet, good food and familiar places.
A good balance of health occurs when there is an inner harmony of the 3 doshas, while poor health occurs when they are out of balance.
• VATA – is likened to the wind, which is constantly on the move. This controls the nervous system and health problems associated with vata, include anxiety, tension, hypertension, depression, migraine and irritable bowel syndrome.
Someone with dominant vata energy, it is said, tends to be thin, restless and creative. He/she speaks rapidly, is prone to anxiety,
loves to travel but dislikes cold weather and strong winds.
• PITTA – is likened to the sun, a source of energy. This controls the digestive system and all biochemical processes. Health problems associated with pitta include ulcers, digestive problems, skin complaints, headaches, gall and liver problems.
Characteristics of pitta are strong appetite, loud speech, interest in scientific matters and politics, care with money,
love of sport and a tendency to jealousy, ambition and egotism.
• KAPHA – governs the balance of tissue fluid, controlling cell growth and firmness of the body, rather as the moon governs the tides. Health problems associated with kapha, include hypertension, heart disease, circulatory disorders, diabetes, gall bladder problems, eczema, asthma, sinusitis and bronchitis.
Kapha people tend to be heavy, slow and lethargic. They love peace and quiet, good food and familiar places.
A good balance of health occurs when there is an inner harmony of the 3 doshas, while poor health occurs when they are out of balance.
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The orthodox medical profession does not recognise Ayurveda as an authentic branch of medicine. Ayurveda does not offer cures for cancers. Serious illness should always be conventionally treated. Medical emergencies or potentially life-threatening illnesses are not helped by ayurveda. Rather, ayurveda is more about the prevention of, rather than a ‘quick-fix’ response to, illness. Every individual is seen as unique, having a distinct individual constitution, genetic inheritance and predisposition to certain diseases.
Believers say that ayurveda is not based on new scientific findings or the discovery of new drugs, but on a wise and enduring lifestyle choice. Followers of ayurveda, unlike conventional medicine, do not take the view that people are all much the same, or that doctors should treat the condition rather than the patient. As in allopathic (usual medical practice) medicine, a consultation with an ayurvedic doctor consists of diagnosis and treatment. The patient is asked all kinds of questions – medical history (and that of your family), your entire way of life – career, conditions at work and home, diet, hobbies, level of physical activity, preferences and dislikes, personal habits and so on. The objective is to identify the dominant dosha. Once a diagnosis is reached, treatment can begin. Treatments range from detoxification to herbal and mineral preparations, massage, steam baths and diet. |
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Ingredients
All ingredients used in the products are entirely natural, derived from plants and herbs/spices, with no chemical or artificial additives or animal fats. They are not tested on animals and have no side-effects. To understand individuality is the foundation of healing. This holistic approach means the whole person is engaged, with the aim of producing a feeling of wellbeing and maximum health. For this sacred intention, good food, and a good environment all contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Ayurveda is said to be particularly useful for chronic fatigue, headaches, joint problems, irritable bowel syndrome, period problems, constipation, circulatory disorders, insomnia and so on. Sceptics dismiss ayurveda as a fanciful philosophy with no scientific evidence that it works. In India, orthodox doctors work with ayurvedic practitioners, who understand the limitations of their methods but argue that emphasis on prevention and a focus on the individual make ayurveda a valuable complementary medicine. |
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