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What is Ayurveda? |
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Ayurveda is the 5000 years old Indian system of Medicine. "Ayur" the word means "life", "Veda" means "Knowledge".
It is a perfect Science of health and longevity. This holistic science is the knowledge of complete balance of the
Body and Mind, including the emotions and psychology. It includes in its consideration, longevity, rejuvenation and
self-realization therapies through herbs, diet, exercise, yoga, massage, aromas, tantras, mantras, and meditation.
In Ayurveda we view a person as a unique individual made up of five primary elements. The elements are space, air,
fire, water, and earth. Just as in nature, we too have these five elements in us. When any of these elements are
present in the environment, they will in turn have an influence on us. The food we eat and the weather are just two examples of the presence of these elements. While we are a composite of these five elements, certain elements are seen to have ability to combine to create various physiological functions. Ayurveda gives us a model to look at each individual as a unique combination of the three doshas and to thereby design treatment protocols that specifically address a person's health challenges. When any of the doshas (Vatha, Pitha or Kapha ) become accumulated, Ayurveda will suggest specific lifestyle and nutritional guidelines to assist the individual in reducing the dosha that has become excessive. Space and air combines to form what is known in Ayurveda as the Vatha dosha. Vatha governs the principle of movement and therefore can be seen as the force which directs nerve impulses, circulation, respiration, and elimination. Fire and water are the elements that combine to form the Pitha dosha. The Pitha dosha is the process of transformation or metabolism. The transformation of foods into nutrients that our bodies can assimilate is an example of a pitha function. Pitha is also responsible for metabolism in the organ and tissue systems as well as cellular metabolism. Finally, it is predominantly the water and earth elements, which combine to form the Kapha dosha. Kapha is what is responsible for growth, adding structure unit by unit. Another function of the Kapha dosha is to offer protection. Cerebral-spinal fluid protects the brain and spinal column and is a type of Kapha found in the body. Also, the mucousal lining of the stomach is another example of the Kapha dosha protecting the tissues. We are all made up of unique proportions of Vatha, Pitha and Kapha. These ratios of the doshas vary in each individual; and because of this, Ayurveda sees each person as a special mixture that accounts for our diversity
Ayurveda is also known as 'Ashtanga Veda' (the word literally means 'Eight branches of knowledge') as it is divided into eight specialized branches.
The following are the eight Branches of Ayurveda:
1. Kaya Chikilsa - General medicine
2. Bala Chikilsa - Pediatrics
3. Graha Chikilsa - Psychiatry and Psychosomatic diseases
4. Salakya Tantra - Eye, Ear, Head, Nose, Throat and related
5. Salya Tantra - General Surgery
6. Visha Tantra - Toxicology
7. Rasayana Chikilsa - Rejuvenation Therapy
8. Vajeekarana Chikilsa - Aphrodisiac Therapy
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