21/07/2020
ABOUT AYURVEDA
The Sanskrit term Ayurveda translates to “knowledge of life” and the principles of this ancient wisdom remind us that the entire web of life is intricately interwoven. With a unique emphasis on total wellness, the art and science of ayurveda work to harmonize our internal and external worlds.
Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest holistic “whole body” healing systems. It was developed more than 3,000 years ago in India.
Some scholars Asser that ayurveda originated in prehistoric times and that some of the concepts of ayurveda have existed from the time of Indus valley civilization.
Ayurveda emphasizes preventative and healing therapies along with various methods of purification and rejuvenation.
Ayurveda has rightly emphasized that health is not only a state of well being but, it is the state of normalcy of Dosha, Dhatu, Agni & Malakriya. Also belief that health & wellness depends on a delicate balance between the mind, body & consciousness.
According to ayurveda, every human being is a unique phenomenon of cosmic consciousness, manifested through the Pancha Mahabhuta (five basic elements) - Akasha, Vayu, Agni, Jala & Pruthvi. Any combinations of two Mahabhutas results in the formation of tridoshas called as three humors or organizations of the body. They are Vata (Akasha + vayu), pitta (Agni + Jala), Kapha (pruthvi + Jala). Everyone inherits a unique mix of the three doshas, but one is usually stronger than the others. Each one controls a different body function. Equality (samayatva) of these tridoshas results in health, inquality (visamatva) results in disease.
Three doshas of the body, vata pitta & kapha which broadly represent the nervous system, the metabolic system, and the nutritive system keep the human body in balance.
Ayurveda Agni means “fire” which is responsible for all digestive and metabolic processes in the human beings. Ayurveda names seven basic Dhatus (tissues), which are rasa (plasma), Rakta (blood), Mamsa (muscles), medo (fat), asthi (bone), Majja (marrow), sukra (semen) which supports the basic structure of the body. There are also twenty gunas (qualities or characteristics) which are considered to be inherent in all matter. These are organized in ten pairs.
The internal environment is governed by vata, pitta and kapha, which are constantly reacting to the external environment. Imbalance of three dosas is achieved by wrong diet, habits, life style, incompatible food combinations, seasonal changes, repressed emotions and stress factors leads to the aggravation or derangement of dosas which affects agni (gastric fire) and produces ama(toxins).
Disease manifested due to ama (toxins) which travels the blood stream and circulated throughout the body, clogging the channels. Retention of toxins in the blood results in toxaemia. This accumulated toxins slowly affects the prana (vital energy), ojas(immunity), and tejas (metabolic energy) resulting in various diseases.
To prevent further ama (toxins) formation and to treat the manifested disease ayurveda treatises describes 8 branches of ayurveda.
