Ayurveda, one of the oldest and traditional methods of medicine, means knowledge of life as Ayur means life and Veda means science or knowledge. Ayurveda is a holistic science which believes in curing the body, mind and soul.
Ayurveda first analyses the body constitution of the patient, his habits, his lifestyle, the extent of the disease and then provide treatment specific to each case. Even if two persons are suffering from one disease, their Ayurvedic treatmentwould be different according to their respective body constitution and the stage of the disease.
Ayurvedic treatment stresses on maintaining balance between body and mind by bringing changes in lifestyle, eating habits, indulging in physical exercises or yoga or even meditationand herbal therapy.
Ayurvedic treatment identifies the root cause of the disease or problem and then removes it to provide permanent relief. Since Ayurveda believes that a disease is caused due to imbalance in doshas in the body, it recommends a nutritious diet to correct the imbalance and treat thedisease. Physical exercises and some changes in lifestyle are also recommended along with the medicines to cure the disease completely.
The Doshas
Vata Prakriti/Type
Vata, which is identified with the cosmic element of vaayu or air and akash or ether, control all types of movements and is responsible for respiration too. This is the kinetic force in all kinds of biological forms, and controls the body`s auto-functions (nerve impulses, circulation, respiration, and elimination and heartbeats etc.) therein. In case of an imbalance (vikruti), vata prakriti individuals, who are quick in their mental process and initiation of action, tend to suffer from diseases of the neurological system especially motor functions. The diseases are pronounced during the old age, which is the period of vata (vata kala). The disease mostly affects the lower parts of the body since they are the predominant seats of vata dosha. Also, individuals belonging to this type suffer from angina (hridgraha).
Pitta Prakriti/Type
Pitta Prakriti is consists of agni or teja, the element of heat energy. It is responsible for maintenance of body heat and transforming in nature. All types of outside elements an individual takes-in are transformed into inside elements (microcosm) of the body by pitta. It governs the digestion or proper assimilation of physical, mental and emotional elements of a biological entity. Hence, Pitta is responsible for metabolism in the organ and tissue systems, as well as cellular metabolism. The persons of this prakriti are sharp, quick in action and normally possess a very good intellect as well as grasping power. The pitta prakriti persons are prone to diseases of the digestive and metabolic systems. The diseases mostly affect the abdomen i.e. the area between the chest and umbilicus. Also, pitta disorders are pronounced in the middle ages, which is the period of pitta (pitta kala).
Kapha Prakriti/Type
Kapha prakriti or dosha consists of prithvi (earth) and jala (water). Jala or ap, is essential for sustenance of life. Prithvi, or earth, is responsible for structure and bulk of the material. Kapha is responsible for body form and structure (fluids, fats, bones and muscles). The kapha prakriti endows the individuals with a good physic and strong perseverance but they are slow in their activities. The cold quality of kapha results in poor appetite as their agni or digestion is poor. In case of an imbalance (vikruti), individuals tend to suffer from the diseases of the respiratory system especially phlegmatic disorders. The diseases normally affect the upper parts of the body i.e. chest and above. The diseases are pronounced during the early ages (childhood), which is the period of kapha (kapha kala). Generally people are a combination of two doshas i.e. dwandvaja prakriti. They possess characteristics of both doshas involved depending on the percentage of the combination. In this case, one is a primary and the other is the secondary dosha. Sometimes people are a combination of all the three imbalances of doshas. But, it is extremely rare to find a balanced state of all the three doshas. Not only the humans but also everything (animals, plants, geographical locations, times of day, seasons and activities performed etc.) in the universe is categorized according to these three doshas. An ayurvedic practitioner formulates a diet plan and recommends herbs for a patient after taking into consideration all these aspects. That`s why in ayurveda different people with the same disease sometimes receive different diet and herb plans.
Effect of Seasons on the Prakriti Types
The condition of human body depends on the continuous interaction between internal and external factors. Environmental factors include the nature of the land, water and various atmospheric phenomena such as temperature, humidity, wind, rain and snow shortly, the seasons and climes. Food and proper digestion of it in our systems is considered vital to maintain a reasonable balance of the three doshas of vata, pitta and kapha. Food is digested by agni (heat/fire) within us just as it is cooked by agni (heat/fire) outside. According to ayurveda, there is a "stimulus-response" relation between the agni within us and the outside agni—the sun. When the agni outside is strong (i.e. summer) the agni inside us (the digestive energy) is weak and vice-versa. Basing on this principle the
Types of Ayurvedic Treatment :
Ayurvedic treatment is divided into preventive measures and curative treatment.
Preventive Measures:
There are three aspects in preventive measures in Ayurvedic treatment.
- Ayurveda believes that diseases can be prevented by maintaining good personal hygiene practices like regular washing hands and face and brushing teeth, eating balanced food at stipulated time according to different season, indulging in physical exercises and getting a good night sleep.
- Ayurveda recommends use of certain agents to improve longevity, boost immunity level, enhance mental abilities and prevent ageing.
- Ayurveda suggests yoga exercises for a healthy body, mind and soul. Yoga not only helps in preventing diseases by maintaining the balance of doshas but also helps in treating somediseases.
Curative Treatment:
Curative Treatment comprises of internal purification or Panchakarma, External Medicine and Surgical medicine.
· Panchakarma therapy or five cleansing methods of treatment is a therapy which improves the body's metabolic process with the help of herbal medicines and special diet. The therapy removes the toxins from the body and balances the doshas. Panchakarma therapy has to precede the administration of drugs or surgery.
Panchakarma therapy includes Vamana (use of Emetics), Virecana (use of laxatives),Basti (medicated Enema), Nasya (Nasal administration) and Rakta Mokshana (Blood letting). All the five methods may not be used to treat people. One therapy or a combination of two to three therapies is generally used for the treatment of diseases.
In Vamana, Kapha toxins present in the body and respiratory tract are eliminated to curediseases like Bronchial asthma, allergies, hyperacidity, nasal congestion, obesity, skin disorders etc. Virecana therapy is used to eliminate Pitta toxins from liver and gall bladder and helps cure diabetes, asthma, skin disorders, constipation, psoriasis and gynecological disorders.
Basti cleanses Vata, Pitta and Kapha toxins from colon with the help of medicated oil and herbal decoction. It helps in curing Paraplegia, Cervical Spondylosis, constipation, digestive disorders, backache, obesity and infertility. Nasya therapy is used to remove Kapha toxinsfrom head and neck region. In this therapy, medicated oil is administered through the nose. It helps in improving memory and eye sight, and curing insomnia, headaches, migraine, nasal allergies and sinusitis.
Rakta Mokshana is the therapy in which blood is purified. However, it is recommended very rarely as there is a high risk of infection.
· External Medicine - In this type of treatment, powders, syrups, tablets and medicated oils made from natural plants, herbs etc are given to cure the diseases along with internal medicines. Since the medicines are made from natural products and not synthetically produced, there are no side-effects in Ayurvedic Treatment.
Application of paste, powders and other physiotherapeutic measures too could be recommended.
- Surgical Intervention - Surgical Intervention is believed that Ayurveda is the first system of medicine which conducted different types of operations to treat wounds and fractures, and plastic surgery as far as during the Christian era. Ancient physicians Bhela, Charaka and Susrutha were credited with initiating surgeries. Susrutha is known as the father of plastic surgery.
Benefits of Ayurvedic Treatment :
- Ayurvedic treatment uses drugs, medicated oils or powder made from natural herbs and plants as a result there is no side-effects unlike other systems of medicines which have many side-effects.
- Ayurveda has treatment for all diseases, including diabetes, asthma, heart ailments and cancer.
- Ayurvedic treatment like Panchakarma enables the body to be more responsive to medicines and treatment by balancing the doshas, quickening the healing process.
- Yoga exercises strengthens bones, muscles and important organs like heart, liver etc and improves blood circulation and keep a check on sugar levels.
- Ayurvedic massages, Panchakarma, yoga exercises and meditation helps in calming down the nerves and relieves you of all stress and frustrations in day-to-day lives. It also helps remove harmful toxins from the body, making you feel good and relaxed.
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