Ayurvedic Medicine Archives

Ayurveda (Definition.)

Comments?
Misty L. Trepke
http://www.searching-alternatives.com

Ayurveda

Ayurveda, a traditional holistic health care system, older than any
other system of medicine, has been practiced in India for more than
5000 years.

Ayurveda, recognized as alternative medicine now, represents the
science of life and longevity originating in the Vedic traditions of
India. Based on the principle of eternal life, this holistic health
care system has a vast body of knowledge covering eight branches. Its
major premise involves the symbiosis of mind, body and spirit. Any
imbalance in this synthesis results in physical ailments. This
ancient Indian medicine seeks to reestablish the harmony between
the body and its habitat by creating the optimum health environment.

Over the centuries ayurveda has had a nurturing influence on ancient
Chinese systems of medicine, Unani medicine, and the humoral medicine
practiced by Hippocrates in Greece. The current knowledge about this
ancient Indian medicine is primarily drawn from the Charaka Samhita
(though there are earlier versions, Charaka Samhita in its present
form is estimated to date from 1st century AD), Vagbhatta's Astanga
Hridaya (approximately 500 AD), and the Susruta Samhita (the Susruta
Samhita is believed to have originated in the last centuries BC, but
the date of its present version is fixed by researchers at 7th
century AD). These three classic texts describe the basic principles
and theories from which this alternative medicine has evolved. They
reflect an overwhelming wealth of clinical as well as surgical
information, enriched further by later research, on the management
of a multitude of diseases and ailments.

The entire science of ayurveda is based on the 'Five Great Elements'
(Panchmahabhuta) theory. These five elements are earth (prithvi),
water (jal), fire (agni or tej), air (vayu) and ether or space
(akash). In popular tradition, the universe is understood to be made
up of these elements. Ayurveda comprehends body, mind and spirit
likewise and has specific methods for working on each. It divides the
constitution of people into three humoral categories - Vata
(ether/air), Pitta (fire) and Kapha (water/earth). Vata rules mental
mobility. Pitta, or fire, governs digestion and assimilation on all
levels from food to ideas. And kapha or water governs form and
substance and is responsible for weight, cohesion and stability.
Using these three types in combinations of two creates six more
subtypes. A seventh subtype also exists, which is a combination of
all the three categories.

According to the concept of good management, ayurveda insists that
the 'fault' or dosha, the 'tissue' or dhatu and the 'impurity' or
mala should be in harmony with each other, with all the components
properly balanced. Any discordant note in this synthesis due to
external or internal causes is a cause for concern. These are
basically therapeutic measures taken either to prevent diseases or
cure them. Thus ayurvedic procedures are done either to detoxify the
body or as a prelude to strengthening the immune system. Panchakarma
or 'five procedures', is the most sought after detoxification
therapy, which paves the way for the culmination of ayurvedic
treatment of healingâ€"anti-aging (Kaya Kalpa).

MORE ON AYURVEDA
Agada Tantra Astanga Hridaya Benefits Bhuta Vidya
Branches Charaka Samhita Dhara Diet
Gems History Kaumarabhritya Kaya Chikitsa
Kaya Kalpa Marma Chikitsa Panchakarma Rasayana
Shalakya Tantra Shalya Tantra Susruta Samhita The Three Doshas
Treatment Vajikarana

=====
Fidyl
Live Simply So That
Others May Simply Live
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Follow Ups:

• Re: Ayurveda (Archive.) Walt Stoll [9.8] 06:26:27 1/18/04 (0)

In Reply to: Ayurveda posted by Misty L. Trepke [676.4] on January 17, 2004 at 13:05:52:

Thanks, Misty.

Ayurveda has certainly helped a LOT more people with chronic conditions than allopathy ever has--or ever will!

Namaste`

Walt