Ayurveda in a Nutshell
Ayurveda is a word that is translated as the 'Science of Life'. It originates from the wisdom teachings of the ancient sages of India, and draws on one of the oldest systems of natural health care. Ayurveda is an holistic science that advocates the balanced integration of body, mind and spirit.
The original science of Ayurveda was developed to ensure individual wellbeing, by addressing all factors that influence the quality of life. It incorporates in its framework longevity, rejuvenation and self-realization therapies, through appropriate prescription of herbs and aromatic oils, massage, diet, exercise, yoga, mantras, and meditation.
Today Ayurveda is one of the leading forms of holistic medicine available in the West.
The aim of Ayurveda?
Ayurveda recognises that most people are born in a state of balance, which is quickly lost due to a variety of environmental and climatic condition, cultural or human factors, such as pollution, poor diet, unsuitable lifestyles, stress etc.
Through Ayurveda you have the opportunity to discover and understand your own unique nature and disposition and how best to maintain it in a state of balance.
Ayurveda and conventional medicine
Ayurveda is a complimentary medicine and sits well alongside conventional medicine, which plays a key roll in providing a window to address acute conditions. The major difference between Ayurveda and conventional medicine lies in the treatment method - most modern medical treatments operate at the symptomatic level, Ayurvedic treatments work at the causative levels, with the prime focus of bring the body-mind-soul back into a state of balance.
The principles of Ayurveda state that nothing exists in isolation; that everything you interact with, your diet, family or work relationships, has an effect on your health and wellbeing. The guiding principle of Ayurveda is that mind and body are connected and that the mind has a profound influence over our health and wellbeing. While conventional Western medicine is still grounded in the paradigm of mind-body separation, Ayurveda holds that health is more than the absence of disease: it is a dynamic state of balance and integration of body, mind, and spirit.
Some key points:
- Ayurveda considers human beings to be part of nature, and as such, employs natural treatment methods.
- Whilst modern medicine is based on germ theory, Ayurveda is based on the theory of biological humours and body energies. This helps it to get to the root of the problem rather than simply addressing the symptoms.
- A fundamental aim of Ayurveda is to prevent illnesses by timely adherence to nature's way. Conventional medicine usually plays no pre-emptive role except in specific situations.
- Modern medicine mostly utilises synthetic and chemical drugs whereas Ayurvedic treatments are totally natural. Ayurvedic herbs are supplemented with any necessary dietary changes, lifestyle choices, meditation, exercises and yoga. As a result, Ayurvedic remedies do not generally have harmful side-effects.
Therefore, Ayurveda allows us to take control of our own destiny.
Ayurveda's fundamental belief is that whatever we can do for ourselves to improve our health is far more effective in the long run than what another person can do for us. It's never too late for us to start helping ourselves.
History of Ayurveda:
A brief visual history of Ayurveda.
|
