Ayurveda is a comprehensive system of holistic health care that
originated in India several thousand years ago. Even though the
earliest literary references to Ayurveda as a medical science are
datable to only around 500 BC, many of the fundamental healing
principles, which Ayurveda is based upon, have already been mentioned
much earlier in various sacred texts of ancient India. As a medical
science, Ayurveda is as much concerned with treating disease as it is
with preventing ill-health and enhancing the quality of life. The term
Ayurveda is derived from two Sanskrit words: 'ayus' meaning life and
'vid' meaning knowledge. The
'science of life', Ayurveda, is firmly
embedded in Indian philosophy and its theory of evolution, according to
which the universe is composed of five basic elements, namely: ether,
air, fire, water and earth. These are present in all things, and in the
human body they manifest as doshas.
The three doshas (vata, pitta and kapha) are the primary and
essential
bio-energetic forces of the human body. Each has its characteristic
site and unique function in the body. They are interrelated and, in
their normal state, maintain the integrity of the living organism,
conferring strength and assuring normal physiological functioning as
well as longevity. The three doshas
need to be in a state of
equilibrium for the body to remain healthy. Any imbalance of these
bio-energetic forces results in ill-health.
Ayurveda places particular emphasis on the individual constitution
(prakriti) of every being,
which is determined by the unique
combination of doshas,
genetic factors as well as the health, nutrition
and lifestyle of one’s parents. Prakriti
determines an individual's
susceptibility to different diseases and has an influence on their
course and development as well as on the complications that could arise
and the prognosis.
Proper hygiene, diet and lifestyle are considered in Ayurveda essential
pre-requisites for good health. Ayurvedic classical texts provide
detailed guidelines for health-promoting daily routines, which must be
adapted to an individual's constitution as well as to the seasons and
the environment in order to ensure an optimal functioning of body, mind
and emotions.
An Ayurvedic practitioner arrives at a diagnosis through a variety of
observation techniques and enquiries, which include pulse or tongue
reading and other forms of body examination, an in-depth assessment of
diet and lifestyle habits, an analysis of mental and emotional states
as well as a very detailed history taking. Most importantly though, an
Ayurvedic practitioner listens with great attention to detail and gives
patients the required time and space to express themselves. Therefore,
a typical first consultation usually takes one hour or longer.
The skill of the practitioner lies in assessing a patient's
constitutional type, in diagnosing the root cause of imbalance that
manifests as disease, and in selecting appropriate remedial
interventions from an array of therapeutic options. Treatment is always
tailor-made to the individual and can include simple diet and lifestyle
advice, herbo-mineral supplements or
medicines, physical treatments
like full-body massage or local applications, psychological and
emotional consulting, meditation, yoga or other forms of subtle
therapies.
Panchakarma, a very effective
Ayurvedic treatment, aims at deep body
cleansing and the restoration of a healthy metabolism. After
panchakarma, various rejuvenating and
immuno-modulating therapies are
used to increase strength, resistance and overall vitality on physical,
mental and emotional levels, so that patients can experience and enjoy
health, well-being and longevity.
The Ayurvedic
Practitioners Association