What is Ayurveda ?
"AYURVEDA" is made up of two words-Ayuh and Veda.
Ayuh
means life and Veda means knowledge or science. Thus "AYURVEDA’
in totality means ‘Science of life’. It incorporates
all aspects of life whether physical, psychological, spiritual or
social. What is beneficial and what is harmful to life, what is
happy life and what is sorrowful life; all these four questions
and life span allied issues are elaborately and emphatically discussed
in Ayurveda. It believes the existence of soul before birth and
after death too.
What is the origin of Ayurveda ?
Ayurveda, the ancient most health care system originated with the
origin of universe. With the inception of human life on earth Ayurveda
started being applied. The antique Vedic texts have scattered references
of Ayurvedic Remedies and allied aspects of medicine and health.
Atharvaveda mainly deals with extensive Ayurvedic information. That
is why Ayurveda is said to be the off shoot of Atharvaveda.
What is Ayurvedic viewpoint of structure and functions of
body ?
Universe as well as human body are made up of five basic elements
collectively called ‘Panch Mahabhootas’. These are
Aakash
(Ether), Vayu (Air), Agni (Fire), Aapa (Water) and
Prithvi (Earth).
The sixth mandatory component of life is Atma (life spirit) without
which life ceases. The human body is made up of Doshas (Bio-humours),
Dhatus (Body matrix) and Malas (extractable products).
Vata, Pitta
and Kapha, known as Tridoshs are physiological entities of the body
which are responsible for carrying out all the functions of the
body. Dhatus are the structural entities of the body. These are
Rasa
(Plasma), Rakta (Blood cells), Mamsa (Muscular tissue),
Meda (Fatty
tissue), Asthi (Bony tissue), Majja (Bone marrow) and
Shukla (Hormonal
and other secretions of genital). Agni (Metabolic fire) is in thirteen
different forms and carries out the whole metabolism of the body.
The waste products of the body which are extractable are produced
in the body as by-products of metabolism. These are known as malas
which include pureesh (feces), Sweda (sweat) and Mutra (urine).
All bio-transformations within the body occur through Srotases (body
channels) which are the sites for action of agni.
What is the basic philosophy of health, disease and treatment
in Ayurveda ?
As per Ayurveda, ‘Health’ is a state of equilibrium
of normal functions of doshas, dhatus, malas and
Agni with delighted
body, mind and soul. It means that when Dosh - Dhatu - Malas and
Agni
are constantly in a state of functional equilibrium, then the health
is maintained. Otherwise distortion of the equilibrium results into
diseases. Erratic lifestyle is believed to be one of the basic causes
behind the failure of mechanism of maintaining equilibrium.
Treatment either with or without drugs and application of specific
rules of diet, activity and mental status as described, disease
wise, brings back the state of equilibrium i.e. health.
How is diagnosis done in Ayurveda ?
Diagnostic procedures in Ayurveda are two pronged; one is aimed
to establish the state and type of pathology and second to decide
the mode of treatment to be applied. The former implies examination
of the patient and make different investigations to diagnose the
disease entity. Inspection, palpation, percussion and interrogation
are the main modes of physical examination. The second type of examination
is to assess the strength and physical status of the individual
so that accordingly the type of management required could be planned.
For this examination of Prakriti (Body constitution), Saar (Tissue
quality), Samhnan (physique), Satva (Mental strength), Satamya (specific
adaptability), Aaharshakti (diet intake capacity), Vyayaam shakti
(exercise capacity) and Vaya (age) is done. On the basis of this
examination the individual is decided to be having Pravar bal (excellent
strength), Madhyam Bal (moderate strength) or Heen Bal (low strength).
What are the modes of Ayurvedic treatment ?
There exists eight divisions of Ayurvedic therapeutics, namely
Kayachikitsa
(Internal medicine), Shalya (Surgery), Shalkya (Otorhinolaryngology
and Opthalmology), Kaumr Bhritya (Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics)
Agad tantra (Toxicology), Rasayana (Gerentorology),
Vajikaran (Aphrodisiacs)
and Bhoot Vidya (Psychiatry).
The principles of treatment are Shodhan (purificatory),
Shaman (palliative
and conservative), Nidan parivarjan (avoidance of causative and
precipitating factors of disease) and Pathya Vyavastha (do’s
and don’ts regarding diets lifestyle). Shodhan therapy includes
Vamana (medically induced emesis), Virechana (medically induced laxation),
Vasti (medicated enema), shirovirechana (administration
of medicines through nose) and Raktmokshan (Blood letting). These
therapeutic procedures are collectively known as Panchkarma. Before
executing Panch karma treatment Snehan (olation) and Swedan (getting
perspiration) are to employed first.
Where do raw materials for manufacturing Ayurvedic medicines
come from ?
What ever is natural whether belonging to plants or animals or minerals:
all are considered the source of raw material for Ayurvedic medicines.
However 600 medicinal plant products, 52 minerals and 50 animal
products are commonly used.
Which are the authentic texts, on which these health care
products are based ?
Ancient classical texts of Ayurveda Charaka Samhita, Susrutha
Samhita,
Ashtanaga Samgraham, Ashtanga Hridayam, Sargadhara Samhita, Bhaishagya
Ratnavali etc. are the treatises of effective practices and formulations
and these form the basis of Ayurvedic pharmaceuticals. Recent scientific
research has proved the efficacy of herbs used and also the formulations.
Number of Ayurvedic research institutes in different parts of the
country has taken up scientific research into these health care
products.
Is there scope for Ayurveda in the contemporary period
?
Ayurveda has a wide scope as far as the prevention of disease, promotion
of health and its preservation are concerned. Lifestyle rules mentioned
in Ayurvedic texts if applied rigorously give definite results.
Lifestyle related diseases, drug abuse, degenerative diseases, auto
immune diseases and certain metabolic and allergic disorders are
well manageable with Ayurvedic techniques and medicaments.
Can one take Ayurveda Medicine with modern medicines ?
If not indicated otherwise by the attending physician, Ayurveda
Medicines can generally be taken along with allopathic medicines.
Moreover, Ayurveda Medicines are used as adjuvant to allopathic
medicines in most of chronic and degenerative diseases. As such
there is no harm to consume simple herbal formulations of Ayurveda
even without the prescription of the doctor but mineral based medicines
must be used after due consultation and advice of the doctor.
How do I find a competent Ayurveda practitioner ?
Any Ayurveda doctor having such degree/ qualifications as mentioned
in 2nd,3rd and 4th schedules of Indian Medicine Central Council
Act, 1970 is a recognized medical practitioner. BAMS and
MD (Ayurveda)
degrees of new pattern and equivalent qualifications of the time
before the enactment of Central Act are recognized qualifications
for the purpose of registration and practice of Ayurvedic Medicine.
How safe is to buy Ayurveda Medicines over the counter
?
Medicines are safe if the manufacturer is licensed and the label
of the container specifically describes date of manufacturing, expiry
date, batch number of the medicine, dose and indications along with
ingredients of the medicine and necessary precaution.
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