Age Old
Ayurveda is ancient – perhaps the world?s most ancient medical science. This holistic science of life is the cultural heritage of India, nurtured over thousands of years by sages and savants. It uses natural substances and herbs that not only heal but prevent reoccurrence of diseases. It offers comphrensive cure, physical, mental and spiritual levels. Diseases are treated not symptomatically only, but also by targeting the root cause. Its system of treatment is based on potent herbal combinations, life style adjustments, individualized dietary programmes and spiritual focus on yoga and meditation.
No chemicals are used; hence no side effects. It develops the immune system of the body, detoxify the body and the cure is long ? lasting. Every Ayurvedic medicine is a tonic also. It provides nutrition to the body and restores good health. Ayurveda has methods of detoxifying of the body of disease producing poisons. It is simple, affordable and natural. It prescribes not just medicines but the diet that goes with the treatment.
Futuristic
Just because it is ancient, Ayurveda is not at all an out dated science. It is uniquely futuristic. It can counter any disease, from common cold to cancer and it can counter quite well. Ayurveda defines ?svestha (well being / True health) as harmonious state of Tri ? doshas, as the proper alignment of body, senses, mind and soul.
The body is the foundation of all our functions. It should be strong, healthy, pure and free of toxins, with a good immune function, healthy appetite and good capacity for work and exercise. The senses should be sharp and alert. The mind should be calm, free from harmful emotions. The soul should be a source of motivation to do and think good acts and connect the body and mind to the universe. Right food, herbs exercise and balanced life style nurture the body. Right behaviour, thoughts, impressions cheerful approaches to like and happiness, keep the mind healthy. Spiritual practices help the soul.
Ayurveda comprises of eight branches. These are
1. Kayachikitsa (General medicine)
2. Balachikitsa ( Paediatrics)
3. Grahachikitsa ( Psychiatry)
4. Oordhwanga chikitsa (Head and ENT)
5. Sallya chikitsa (Surgery)
6. Danshtra chikitsa (Toxicology)
7. Jayachikitsa (Geriatrics) and
8. Vrisha chikitsa (Aphrodisiac treatment)

A Synopsis of Ayurveda

Ayurveda has three objectives:-
? To prevent diseases, (preventive medicine),
? To cure & bring relief to the sick (curative medicine)
? To rejuvenate a person of poor health back to good health (Rejuvenate medicine).
? It is not a system of treatment alone but it is a science of health.
? The basic theory of Ayurveda ?
o Any material on earth is composed of five basic elements ? Earth, water, fire, air and Ether. The human body thus is made up of these five Bhuthas.
o These five elements combine in pairs and form three forces ? ?Doshas.? These three doshas are vata, pitta and kapha
o There are seven ?Dhatus? or tissues in the human body. These are Rasa (chyle), Rakta (blood), Mamsa (flesh) medas (tissue, fat), Asthi (bone), Majja (marrow) and sukla (reproductory element)
o There are three ?Malas? Faeces, Urine and sweat.
o Ayurveda believes that good health results when the three doshas remain in a state of equilibrium and ill health results when this equilibrium is upset.
? The early texts on Ayurveda, composed from the Vedas are Charaka Samhita and Shusruta Samhita.
? The latter deals with hundreds of herbs. In subsequent years more plants were added and their number gradually increased to more than thousand.
? Ayurveda treats the disease and not the symptom. Treating the symptoms gives temporary relief. The underlying cause is treated by Ayurveda.