Ayurveda

The main classical Ayurveda texts begin with accounts of the transmission of medical knowledge from the Gods to sages, and then to human physicians. In Sushruta Samhita (Sushruta’s Compendium), Sushruta wrote that Dhanvantari, Hindu god of Ayurveda, incarnated himself as a king of Varanasi and taught medicine to a group of physicians, including Sushruta. Ayurveda therapies have varied and evolved over more than two millennia. Therapies are typically based on complex herbal compounds, minerals, and metal substances (perhaps under the influence of early Indian alchemy or rasa shastra). Ancient Ayurveda texts also taught surgical techniques, including rhinoplasty, kidney stone extractions, sutures, and the extraction of foreign objects.

MIRROR OF AYURVEDA

The World Health Organization recognizes it as an alternative system of medicine based on Natural Herbal Products. All the components used in the treatment are from nature and it is practically free from all side effects. Ayurveda is the combination of the Sanskrit words Ayu and Veda. Ayu means life and Veda means knowledge. It contains the highly developed ancient science of medicine and prolongation of life.

Aim – Prevention of disease and promotion of health

Motto – Swasthasya Swasthya Rakshanam; Atursya Vikar Prashamanam
meaning: Preservation to the health of a healthy person is treating ailments with breaking causative factors of pathogenesis”.

Principle of Ayurveda –
Ayurveda is based on the following three theories

1. Pancha Mahabhuta theory
Five elements
Prithvi, Bhoomi (Earth) – Smell/Nose
Jala (Water) – Taste/Tongue
Agni (Fire) – Sight/Color/Eye
Vayu (Air) –  Touch- Skin Agni (Fire) –
Akasha (Space) – Sound-Ear

Hence Ayurveda advocates: Yat pinde, Tat Bramhande

2. Tridosha theory
The central concept of ayurvedic medicine is the theory that health exists when there is a balance between three fundamental bodily doshas humor called Vata, pitta, Kapha.

 Vatta is the air principle necessary to mobilize the function of the nervous system

Pitta is the fire principle which uses bile to direct digestion and hence metabolism into the venous system

Kapha is the water principle that relates to mucous, lubrication, and carrier of nutrients into the arterial system.

Balance Tridosha means a healthy person.

3. Sapta Dhatu theory (seven body tissue)
Rasa – plasma (Digestive system)
Rakta – blood ( circulatory system)
Mamsa – muscles and tendons (muscular system)
Med – fat
Majja – marrow
Asthi – bone (skeleton)
Shukra – semen fluid (reproductive system)

How do we get sick?

1. Ayurveda holds that specific disease conditions are symptoms of an underlying imbalance. It does not neglect the relief of these symptoms, but its main focus in on the big picture, to restore balance and to help you create such a healthy lifestyle that the imbalance won’t occur again.

2. Living in health and balance is the key to a long life free from disease.

3. Our health is up to us. Every day of our lives, every hour of our every day,  we can and do choose either health or illness.

4. when we choose wisely, nature rewards us with health and happiness. when we persistently choose unwisely, nature in her wisdom, eventually sets us straight, she wakes us sick and gives us a chance to rest and rethink our choices.