Ayurveda
Ayurveda in Sanskrit means the knowledge of Life. It is not merely a system of medicine but also a science of enhancing health, longetivity and vitality. The origin of Ayurveda is shrouded in the mists of time, but is said to be more than 5000 years old. The Ayurvedic holistic health system is based on harmony with nature and therefore as a science it was relevant in past and will be relevant in the ages to come.
Ayurvedic principles have influenced the development of many systems of medical thought like Unani, Chinese and Greek. Modern western medicine has too adopted many Ayurvedic concepts, and many concepts that the modern medicine is propogating now are already been referred to in the ancient Ayurvedic texts.
Ayurveda emphasizes preventative and healing therapies along with various methods of purification and rejuvenation. The goal of Ayurveda is to achieve harmony and balance. This is attained by a proper living habits, balanced diet, herbal remedies, gentle exercise (like Yoga) and physical therapies (such as massage, steam).
Ayurveda is recognized by the World Health Organization, and is currently used by 70-80% of the Indian population.
THE CONCEPT
According to Ayurveda, every human being is a unique phenomenon who manifests through the five basic elements – ether, air, fire, water and earth of cosmic consciousness.
The basis of Ayurveda are the Tridoshas ( three humors or the organizations of the body).
Vata (ether plus air),
Pitta (fire plus water)
Kapha (water plus earth)
These tridoshas also stream out of the consciousness. The psychosomatic make up or constitution of a person is determined by these tridoshas. On basis of these 3 tridoshas seven basic constitutions are formed. These are:
vata, pitta, kapha, vata-pitta, pitta-kapha, kapha-vata and vata-pitta-kapha.
Every individual constitution has its own unique balance of Vata-Pitta-Kapha.
Thus when this dosha balance is disturbed, it creates imbalance, which results in sickness. Therefore it can be said that sickness is the imbalance of the thridoshas.
