AYURVEDA
Ayurveda is an ancient healing system from India that aims to promote a healthy and balanced life. The word "Ayurveda" comes from Sanskrit, where "ayur" means life and "veda" means science or knowledge. So, Ayurveda is essentially the "science of life." It focuses on bringing harmony to all aspects of life, including the mind, body, and spirit.
The core philosophy of Ayurveda is to prevent unnecessary suffering and promote a long, healthy life. It uses natural elements to address the root cause of diseases by restoring balance. This involves adopting a healthy lifestyle to prevent imbalances from recurring.
Ayurveda identifies five elements—air, fire, water, earth, and aether—that build both living beings (microcosm) and the external universe (macrocosm). These elements combine to form three humors or doshas: Vata (related to body movement), Pitta (related to bodily reactions like metabolism and temperature), and Kapha (related to growth and protection). An individual's constitution or Prakriti is determined by the balance of these doshas, influencing both physical and mental characteristics.
Health, according to Ayurveda, is achieved when there's a balance between these three doshas. Imbalances can lead to diseases. Based on an individual's Prakriti, a personalized treatment plan is created using natural means like diet, herbs, spices, minerals, exercise, meditation, yoga, mental hygiene, sounds, smells, and mechano-procedures.
Unlike allopathic medicine, which uses synthetic chemicals for symptomatic relief, Ayurveda takes a holistic approach. It integrates and balances the body, mind, and spirit to prevent illness and promote overall wellness, longevity, vitality, and happiness.
Aim of ayurveda
प्रयोजनं चास्यस्वस्थस्यस्वास्थ रक्षणमातुरस्यववकारप्रशमनंच||२६||
Ch. Su. - 30/26
The basic objective of Ayurveda as mentioned by Charaka is dual in nature. In the ancient script Charaka Samhita (Sutra Sthana 30/26) (as described in above shloka) it is enumerated that the principle objective of Ayurveda is to
1. Protect the health of the healthy and
2. To alleviate the disorders in the diseased condition.
Ayurveda is a complete medical system which deals with all aspects of physical health,mental balance, spiritual well-being, social welfare, environmental considerations. It also focuses on dietary and lifestyle habits which are controlled by daily living trends and seasonal variations.Ayurveda describes about treating and managing specific diseases while appreciating the nature, life and the empowerment of the individual towards sustainable living by following a holistic
approach.