What Is AYURVEDA?

"That is designated as Ayurveda or the Science of Life wherein are laid down the good and the bad of life, the happy and unhappy life, and what is wholesome and what is unwholesome of life, as also the measure of life."

Charaka

In simple terms, Ayurveda is a way of life. The word Ayurveda comes from two Sanskrit roots, "Ayus" meaning life and "Vid" meaning knowledge. Ayurveda shows the way to a harmonious and graceful life by healthy integration of body, mind and spirit. Thus holistic well-being is the aim of Ayurveda, not mere healing of a specific illness.

Genesis

Ayurveda is the oldest and most complete system of health care. Its origins date 4000 years back, to the Vedic Civilization in India. The Vedas are ancient Hindu books of knowledge that are said to have been divinely revealed to the sages of India. Of the four Vedas, the fourth Veda, the Atharva Veda is the source of knowledge about Ayurveda. The Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita are the most famous of the ancient treatises on Ayurveda.

The basic Ayurvedic belief is that everything in this universe, including man, is made up of five elements called panchamahabhutas -akasha (space), vayu (air), agni (fire), jala (water) and prithvi (earth). These panchamahabhutas combine into three doshas or the tridoshas, namely vata, pita and kapha. The tridoshas are vital energies responsible for all psychological and physiological processes in the body.

Ayurvedic medicine is based on the belief that every individual is a unique combination of the tridoshas. Our constituition or our prakriti is determined by our dominant dosha. Each of us was born with a certain prakriti and it remains with us for life.

When all doshas work in balance, good health reigns. This balance depends on various factors like diet, digestion, elimination of body wastes and emotional and spiritual states.

Ayurveda helps us to understand our prakriti and to live in a way that emphasizes the positive aspects.

When the doshas become imbalanced ill health results. The skill of an Ayurveda practitioner lies in assessing an individual's constitution, diagnosing the imbalance and deciding upon the best possible treatment to restore the balance. Ayurveda utilizes diet, herbs, yoga, detoxification by panchakarma, meditation and prayer to achieve this purpose.

Panchamahabhutas are the five great elements of nature. These are air, space, water, fire and earth.. These combine in an infinite variety of ways to form all matter in the universe.

In a single cell, the earth element gives it structure, the cytoplasm is formed by water, the metabolic processes of the cell are manifestations of the fire element, the gases in the cell represent air and the space occupied by the cell corresponds to the space element.

Charaka defines a human being as the assemblage of the panchamahabhutas and the 'immaterial self', the soul. The solid structures of the human body: the bones, nails, teeth, muscles, cartilage, skin and hair are manifestations of the earth element. Space corresponds to the spaces in the body: the mouth, the nostrils the digestive tract, the stomach, the respiratory tract and the cells. Air governs movements like those of the muscles, the lungs, the intestines and even those in the cells. Water is present in blood,saliva, digestive juices, plasma and the cytoplasm. Fire controls the functioning of the enzymes.

The three vital energies
The five basic elements that constitute all matter, the panchamahabhutas, are expressed through the tridoshas, vata, pitta and kapha, and together they work to sustain life. The tridoshas govern our entire physical structure and function. They are responsible for the simplest functions of the cell to the most complex processes in the body systems .Our physical characteristics and our emotional and mental tendencies are governed by the three doshas.

Vata is made up of the elements air and space. Vata is in charge of all motion in the body and mind. Vata governs many of the physical and mental phenomena of the nervous system.

Pitta consists of fire and water. Pitta is the agent of all transformations in the body. Chemical processes in our body including enzymes, hormones and the entire nutritional system are Pitta's domains.

Kapha is formed by water and earth. Kapha is the stabilizing influence in the body. The activities of the skeletal and anabolic system can be attributed to Kapha.

Vata, Pitta and Kapha keep the body healthy as long as they are in balance with each other. Thus the key to health and vitality is the balance of the tridoshas.

The central principle of Ayurvedic belief is the uniqueness of each individual. The combination of the tridoshas is unique to each person. This is his prakriti. Each individual is born with a typical prakriti. This prakriti is determined by the state of the parental doshas at the time of conception. But our diet, environment, stress, trauma, injury etc. can cause an imbalance in our doshas leading to a state known as vikriti Knowing our constitution or prakriti helps us understand ourselves better. It enables us to plan changes in out diet and our lifestyle for achieving a richer life through holistic well-being.

• Vata Constitution Vata's dominant elements are air and space, the mover for bodily processes and persons with vata prakriti are hence associated with motion. They are on the move physically and mentally. They are blessed with a creative and sharp mind. They are active, quick and restless. They are quick at doing things -quick at learning, quick at forgetting, quick at getting excited and equally quick at losing that excitement. Vatas are often anxious and frightened. They can be extroverted and introverted by turn. Vatas have a temper that is unpredictable. They tend to be emotionally insecure. Vatas sleep little and their sleep is often disturbed. They eat little. They like sweet, sour and salty foods. Vatas' energy comes in bursts. Sometimes they are brimming with energy and at others they are totally drained. Vatas are the archetypal impulse buyers. Vata people have trouble making decisions. Vatas are sensitive and avoid confrontation. Vatas need warmth at all levels-from their environment, from their relationships and from their food.

• Fire and water are pitta's elements and hence the fiery quality of persons with pitta prakriti. Pittas have immense resources of initiative and energy. It is very important for them to channelise their creative fire to constructive purposes. They are determined and strong-willed. They are intelligent and have a clear memory. Pittas are efficient, precise and orderly. They are articulate and proud. They can be aggressive, impatient and short-tempered. Pittas tend to be emotionally intense. Pittas can be stubborn in their beliefs. They hate heat. They prefer cold climates and cooling foods. Pittas love to eat. Pittas are perfectionists and can be critical of those who are less efficient than them. They tend to gray soon. Pittas enjoy light sleep.

• Kapha persons are blessed with strength, endurance, and stamina. Their elements are earth and water, which explains their attributes of calmness and groundedness. They gain weight more easily and lose it with more difficulty than do other constitutions. They need time to think calmly and rationally. They can be calm and caring and also lazy and possessive. They tend to accumulate money more easily than do other people. Lust, greed and attachment are their shortcomings. Kaphas have a tendency to cling to old beliefs and attitudes. Kaphas can tolerate intense exercise better than other prakritis. They can also fast better as they have ample body store to keep them going. Kaphas need stimulation in their environment, their relationships and their food. Overcoming stagnation is Kapha's biggest challenge. Kaphas enjoy deep sleep. They like the slow relaxed life. Kaphas eat, walk and talk slowly. They are slow to learn but have a good memory. Kaphas are emotionally secure people.

The influence of our diet on our health and constitution is central to Ayurvedic beliefs. Sages and Yogis of Ancient India believed that foods were vital carriers and balancers of energy in the body. Most diseases can be traced ultimately to incorrect diet.

Charaka prescribes the following principles for healthy eating:

• Food should be hot, tasty and easy to digest. Eat proper amount of food.
• Food eaten should not be too much or too little.
• Do not eat when you are not hungry and conversely do not fail to eat when you are hungry.
• Keep large gaps between meals.
• Eat in congenial and pleasant surroundings with all accessories necessary for the enjoyment of food.
• Eating should neither be rushed nor too leisurely.
• Concentrate on your food while eating.
• Eat food that suits your constitution.

Our diet should be tailored to suit our prakriti. A vata individual should take warm and sweet food articles. A person with pitta prakriti should take cool, heavy, sweet, bitter and astringent food items. A person with kapha prakriti should take food, which is dry, warm, light, pungent, bitter and astringent.

The seasons and time of the day are also important factors for planning our diet. For instance, a pitta diet should be avoided in the summer or at midday when the pitta activity of the body is at its peak.

Avoid cold and frozen foods and drinks. Choose warming foods and spices. Avoid foods like cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts etc that create gas. Beans are cold, heavy and dry and not suited for vitas. Dairy is very calming to vata especially when it is warm. Stick to a regular routine. Sweet, moist, well-ripened fruits serve you well. Dry fruits should be soaked well before you have them. Raw food intake should be minimized. Sweet, sour and salty tastes should be emphasized in your food.

Keeping cool is very important for Pitta's fiery energy. Avoid excess oils, fried foods, caffeine and hot spices. Take lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Emphasize sweet, bitter and astringent tastes in your food. Cooling whole grains like barley, wheat and basmati rice are good for pitta. Pittas need good amounts of calcium, iron, magnesium and Vitamins. Most oils, salt, alchohol, red meat and hot spices are warming foods and hence harmful for pitta. Most dairy products are cooling in nature but cheeses, sour cream. buttermilk and yogurt are best avoided as their fat can aggravate pitta.

Fat consumption should be minimal. Avoid iced foods and drinks. Complex carbohydrates in diet are important to provide the necessary fiber. Light, warming and dry grains like barley, millet, oats rye, and amaranth increase insulin production and should be included in a kapha diet. Dairy products are best avoided. Light, crispy foods like popcorn serve you well. Low-fat proteins like high fiber beans are good for your constitution.

Life is God's precious gift to us and it is up to us to make the best of it. Health is the most basic and crucial requirement for a fulfilled life. Ayurveda prescribes a daily routine, 'dinacharya' and a seasonal routine 'ritucharya' for good health.

A new dawn: An individual should rise early in the morning before sunrise.

Clean habits: Physical and mental purity are pre-requisites for the day's activities. This is achieved through clean habits like brushing the teeth, scraping the tongue, gargling with water which has a pinch of turmeric added to it, bathing, trimming of beard, hair and nails and elimination of body wastes. Meditation enables elimination of mental wastes.

Massage: Daily oil massage strengthens the skin and improves its color and texture. It increases circulation, improves vision and resistance to disease. Massage of the head strengthens and calms sense organs.

Exercise: Exercise is best performed in the morning. should depend on your age and prakriti. Only kapha persons should exercise vigorously. Other prakritis should exercise moderately. Exercise is not advisable for the very weak or for those with respiratory or cardiac disorders. Bathing Soap is not meant for use on the body except when it is really dirty.

Bathing: Bathing within one hour eating is prohibited.

Purification of surroundings: Purification of our bodies and minds should be accompanied by purification of our houses and our surroundings.

The change of seasons affects the state of our doshas considerably. Hence Ayurveda advocates a seasonal routine to ward off imbalances of the doshas.

Vata increases during winter and spring, pitta during summer and kapha during late winter and spring.

Vata Prakriti

Vata prakriti persons are prone to vata-induced diseases. Wrong food, extreme cold or exposure to drafts cause vata to aggravate leading to diseases like: ·

• Rheumatism, Rheumatoid Arthritis and other musculo- skeletal problems. These diseases are pronounced during old age which is the period of vata (vata kala)·
• Problems in the stomach and digestive system -severe pain, constipation and diarrhea·
• Cardiovascular complaints and partial and full paralysis.

Kapha Prakriti

Persons with kapha constitutions are susceptible to diseases caused by aggravation of kapha. Kapha -caused diseases are pronounced during childhood, which is the period of kapha ( kapha kala). Diseases caused by increased kapha are: ·

• Obesity·
• Diabetics
• Sinusitis

Pitta Prakriti

An individual with a pitta-dominant prakriti may suffer from pitta-caused diseases if the proportion of pitta increases considerably in his body. Intake of spicy food, lack of fresh air, lack of cooling foods and increased mental activity and stress, all cause pitta to be aggravated. Middle age is the period of pitta (pitta kala) and hence pitta disorders are more pronounced during this period. Diseases due to aggravated pitta are:

• Diseases of the digestive and metabolic systems. All forms of Hepatitis, hyperacidity, gastric ulcers, stomatitis and acid regurgitation.
• Skin problems like psoriasis, skin eruption, itching and sores.

Ayurveda treatment consists of four basic forms: medicine or drug therapy; panchakarma (the five systems of treatment); dietary regime; and the regulation of lifestyle. Panchakarma is the Sanskrit word for the five purificatory therapies. Panchakarma has three main stages:-

Poorva Karma (Preparatory measures) Poorva Karma includes two therapies, viz, oleation therapy( snehana) and fomentation therapy (swedana) which are the preparatory therapies for Panchakarma. Oleation therapy or oil therapy can be administered through different kinds of foods or through enema and massage. The therapy may take three to seven days depending on the individual's strength and response. Massage with oily substances and medicated herbs improves circulation and by stimulating the system, speeds up the elimination of waste products. Fomentation therapy Fomentaton or sweating therapy follows oil therapy and should be given in a place free from exposure to excessive wind and at a time when the person's last meal has been well digested. In one type of fomentation therapy, external heat is required while the other includes physical exercise, covering oneself with thick blankets, hunger and walking in the sun. Pradhana Karma This is the main treatment and includes emesis(vamana); purgation (virecana); enema (vasti); nasal drops or snuffs(nasya); and bloodletting( raktamokshana). Emesis therapy In this process, the doshas are eliminated through the mouth by vomiting. This is the best way to eliminate kapha dosha. Emesis therapy is administered with drugs suitable to the particular disease and condition of the patient. A feeling of cleanliness of the chest and stomach, lightness of the body, and timely passing of urine and stools are the signs of well-administered emesis therapy. Purgation therapy This therapy aims at eliminating the doshas that cannot be removed by emesis or through other channels. This process of elimination is primarily from the anal region. Purgation therapy is indicated for many conditions like fever, skin diseases, bleeding from upper channels of the body gout, vaginal diseases etc. Enema therapy Enema is an important part of panchakarma therapy. Properly administered, enema helps to rejuvenate the body and provides strength and long life. Oily enema therapy uses preparations containing oils or fats and is indicated when vata is aggravated. Decoction enema therapy uses decoction of drugs and is recommended for various nervous disorders, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, loss of strength, muscular weakness, loss of appetite, urinary calculus etc. Enema is also given through the male urethra or through the vagina in women. This therapy is recommended for men's genitourinary disorders and for women's menstrual disorders. Bloodletting Panchakarma is the fifth karma of panchakarma. In this therapy blood is eliminated from the patient's body in order to tackle diseases caused by rakta and pitta. Bloodletting is done either with metal instruments or by using other methods such as leeches or vegetable gourds. This therapy is indicated in diseases such as skin diseases, tumors of certain types, gout, excessive sleepiness and hallucinations. Nasal Drops Medicines taken through the nostrils are known as nasya therapy. Medicated oils, powders or drugs are used for the treatment of head diseases. Nasya therapy is recommended for diseases occurring above the collar bones- problems related to ear, nose, and throat, loss of hair or premature graying. Paschata Karma (after care) Paschata Karma means the rehabilitative measures after the main treatment. Aftercare is a very important stage of Panchakarma. After the removal of doshas and internal cleansing, the digestive capacity of the individual must be restored. This is achieved through a properly planned diet and changes in lifestyle.