Ayurveda is the ancient Indian system of natural and holistic medicine. When translated from Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “the science of life” (the Sanskrit root ayur means “longevity” or “life” and veda means “science”).

While allopathic medicine tends to focus on the management of disease, Ayurveda provides us with the knowledge of how to prevent disease and how to eliminate its root cause if it does occur.

Core Principles:-

The knowledge of Ayurveda was passed on orally through a lineage of sages in India until it was collated into text more than five thousand years ago. The oldest known texts on Ayurveda are the Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and the Ashtanga Hrudaya. These texts detail the affect that the five elements found in the cosmic system – earth, water, air, fire, space – have on our individual system, and expound on the importance of keeping these elements balanced for a healthy and happy life.

According to Ayurveda, each person will be influenced by certain elements more than others. This is because of their prakriti, or natural constitution. Ayurveda categorizes the different constitutions into three different doshas:

Vata dosha, in which the air and space elements dominate

Pitta dosha, in which the fire element dominates

Kapha dosha, in which the earth and water elements dominate

The dosha affects not just the shape of one’s body but also bodily tendencies (like food preferences and digestion), and the temperament of one’s mind and emotions. For example, the earth element in people with Kapha dosha is evident in their solid, sturdy body type, their tendency for slower digestion, their strong memory, and their emotional steadiness. Most people’s prakriti is made up of a combination of two doshas. For example, people who are “Pitta Kapha” will have the tendencies of both Pitta dosha and Kapha dosha, with Pitta dominating. By understanding the qualities of our natural constitution we are better able to do what is needed to keep ourselves in balance.

Ayurvedic Lifestyle:-

Ayurveda places great importance on one’s pathya, or lifestyle (eating habits and daily routine). Ayurveda also provides guidance on how to adjust our lifestyle based on the change of seasons.

A happy mind lets you stay calm; make better decisions and improve the overall quality of life.

Pulse Diagnosis:-

According to Ayurveda, the presence of disease in our system indicates an imbalance in our ‘doshas’. Bringing our system back into balance is the key to the cure. Ayurveda has an effective tool for the diagnosis of disease called ‘nadi pareeksha’ or pulse diagnosis. This is done by an Ayurvedic doctor who checks the individual’s pulse on his/her wrist and he/she can easily detect the imbalances in the body and prescribe an effective treatment.

Treatments usually come in one of two forms:

Panchakarma, a 5-staged body purification programme, consisting of herbal remedies, light diet and exercise, specific massages and cleansing treatments

Herbal medicines to balance the body

Ayurveda supports health without disturbing the natural intelligence of the body; Ayurvedic treatments have no negative side effects. Because of this, people around the world are now turning to the ancient science of Ayurveda to help them regain and maintain optimal health. Ayurveda can be used on its own or as a complement to allopathic treatment.

In ayurveda they have discarded surgery completely: it was reducing man to a machine. When things can he done very easily with minerals, herbs, natural things, without poisoning the system of man, then why unnecessarily go on giving man poisons, which are going to have their side effects?