All about Ayurveda

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Ayurveda is one of India's traditional systems of medicine. It means "knowledge of life." Founded in the year 7 or 8 BC, It is a preventive health care system. According to Ayurveda, bodily health is determined by Doshas, three biological principles; Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each has its own functions. While Vata regulates movement, Pitta regulates metabolism and Kapha regulates structure. Ayurveda claims that health is based on a harmonious relationship between the three 'Doshas' Ayurveda has been practiced for 5,000 years. It includes diet and herbal remedies and emphasizes the use of body, mind, and spirit in disease prevention and treatment. It is based on a holistic approach rooted in Vedic culture.

Early Texts of Ayurveda
Ayurveda was first described by Charaka around the beginning of the Current Era. According to him, health and disease are not predetermined and life may be prolonged by human effort. Charaka Samhitha and the Sushrytha Samhitha are the two early texts of Ayurveda. Kashyapas is another early text. In the beginning of the 7th century AD, Vagbhata produced Ashtanga Hridayam, which is a synthesis of earlier ayurvedic materials. Another work related to Ayurveda is Ashtnaga Samgraha.It is a mixture of prose and verse.

Branches of Ayurveda
As per traditional ayurveda there are eight branches: kayachikitsa (internal medicine), shalyachikitsa (surgery including anatomy), shalakyachikitsa (eye, ear, nose, and throat diseases), kaumarabhritya (pediatrics, gynecology & obstetrics.), bhutavidya (psychology).

Ayurveda and nature
Ayurveda largely depends on nature. Knowledge and awareness of the qualities of nature is its essence, which is called gurvadi gunah. They are:

• Guru (heavy) - laghu (light)
• Manda (slow) - tikshna (quick, sharp)
• Hima (cold) - ushna (hot)
• Snigdha (unctuous) - ruksha (dry)
• Slakshna (smooth) - khara (rough)
• Sandra (solid) - drava (liquid)
• Mrdu (soft) - kathina (hard)
• Sthira (stable) - cala (mobile)
• Sukshma (subtle) - sthula (gross)
• Vishada (non-slimy) - picchila (slimy)

Elements of Ayurveda
According to Ayurveda, five great elements (Panchmahabhuta) combine in different proportions to form the material world. Each element possesses gunas in different amounts. The five elements are

• Akasha- aether
• Vayu or Pavan- air or wind
• Agni or Tejas- fire
• Ap or Jala- water
• Prithvi or bhumi- earth.

Three medical humours, doshas

Vata, Pitta and Kapka are the three doshas in Ayurveda. The balance of these three doshas controls all process of body.

Vata:
Vata is composed of air. It governs all movement in mind and body. It is the Vata that controls blood flow, elimination of wastes, breathing and the movement of thoughts across the mind. It activates the nervous system hearing and speech; and expresses as enthusiasm and creativity.

Pitta:
Pitta is composes of fire. It controls all heat, metabolism and transformation in the mind and body. It decides the way we digest food, metabolize our sensory perceptions and descriminate right and wrong. Excess of Pitta leads to anger, criticism, acidity, ulcer, rashes and thinning hair

Kapha:
Kapaha is composed of water. Its function is to cement the elements in the body, providing material for physical structure. Lubricate the joints, provide moisture to the skin, help to heal wounds, fill the spaces in the body give biological strength, vigor and stability; support memory retention; give energy to the heart and lungs and maintain immunity are different functions of Kapaha.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.