Ayurveda the knowledge of life

AYURVEDA THE KNOWLEDGE OF LIFE

Ayurveda, the ancient medicine, born more than 3000 years ago in India, represents an “integrated system” that encompasses several areas of specialization, from the herbalist to surgery to psychology. By the term “Ayurveda“, formed by two words: “ayus” and “veda” infers the profound meaning of the Ayurvedic discipline. In sanskrit “ayus” stands for “life” and the word “veda” instead means “knowledge”.

This science or discipline draws its ancient origin from the Veda, the oldest books handed over to us from millenary Indian tradition, and today this science enjoys new fame and credibility after having lived moments of stasis due to the oppression occurred in India caused by the British.

Based on ethical principles such as non-violence and the respect of nature, it puts its attention on the physical appearance and therapeutic complementing with the philosophy and the practice of yoga in the spiritual aspects.
Ayurveda, finally, reminds man that the main goal of life is the true freedom from dependence on the outside world.

Nowadays it is implemented as one of the “unconventional” methodologies for keeping healthy giving great prominence to its capacity of prevention through purification techniques and the elimination of toxins (panchakarma), indications of daily routine and seasonal use of herbal preparations made according to traditional ayurvedic recipes, through the practice of Ayurvedic massage performed on the whole body with herbal oils, and other techniques of body treatment with oils, herbs and powders.

Ayurveda, from 2015 has been, well integrated in the national Indian health system with various Ayurvedic hospitals present throughout the country. In the United States the practice of ayurveda is permitted within the framework of the pursuit of complementary therapies.

Basic principles of Ayurveda

Ayurveda, which is based on the ancient Indian Medicine, has the fundamental principles that govern nature and therefore also the human body. One of these is the presence of the three “dosha“, found both in the microcosm and macrocosm.

In the Ayurvedic discipline the concept of “dosha” (physical constitution) is therefore a focal point from which to perform, for example, a clinical diagnosis by the Ayurvedic physician. A therapeutic treatment involves the attempt to bring these three forces in equilibrium.

The dosha are three: Vata (is the principle of movement, propulsion and power of disposal), Pitta (principle of combustion and of transformation), Kapha (principle of consolidation, the inertia of assimilation). Each dosha corresponds to specific characteristics, physical and character wise.

Every individual has elements of one or more of the dosha, but more often it occurs that one of these is in imbalance with respect to the other. For this Ayurveda aims to restore the balance between the dosha through a series of treatments, such as the Ayurvedic massage and Panchacharma.

In current Ayurvedic treatments and in the Western world we find for example:

– Massages

– Herbal preparations

– Yoga sequences

– Diet and food tips

– Cleaning of the tongue in the morning

– Silence during meals

– Breakfast by 8 a.m. in the morning and so forth

 

If you are interested in learning more about ayurveda,  a science that is also studied in naturopathy, take a look at our MASTER IN NATUROPATHY

If you like our articles give us a hand by sharing them or liking our Facebook page.