What is Ayurveda?
Originating from India, Ayurveda is a type of complementary medicine practiced for more than 3000 years. It is based on the belief that the general health of the person is dependent on the delicate balance between the mind, body, spirit, and the environment. It is said that diseases or illnesses occur when there is an imbalance or stress in the person's consciousness.
The main goal of Ayurveda is to promote good health using a natural and holistic approach. It starts with an internal purification process and is followed by a special diet, herbal remedy, massage therapy, yoga, and meditation.
How Does Ayurveda Work?
Ayurveda is a natural health system that inspires a healthy lifestyle to prevent illness or disease. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle entails sticking to a diet that consists of seasonal foods, exercising regularly and taking Ayurvedic herbal remedies. Doing all of these will maintain balance in the body's energy constitution and ward off disease and infection.
An Ayurvedic treatment may also include massage therapy, yoga, meditation, breathing exercises and acupuncture, among many others.
Fundamental Principles Of Ayurveda
The word Ayurveda originated from two Sanskrit words "ayu" which means life and "veda" which means knowledge. It is founded on the belief that the five elements of nature, namely air, fire, water, earth, and ether, form the building blocks of Tridosha, the three metabolic body types or doshas that consist of the chemical nature of the body.
When the three doshas, namely Vata (wind), Pitta (bile), and Kapha (mucus), are combined, they create the temperament. Toxins (Ama) are said to be the unprocessed, putrefied waste products that have been held inside the body. The longer the body retains the ama, the more difficult it is to be removed. It is also believed that when the Vata or wind energy in the body is blocked, aches and pains are being felt by the person.
What Are the Benefits of Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a holistic healing science that addresses the specific health concerns of a person, and at the same time offers an explanation on why a person responds differently to another. It can be applied to everyday life.
Research has revealed that people who practise Ayurvedic methods have a decreased risk for:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Stress
Additionally, herbal remedies are considered to help the following health conditions:
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Menstrual cramps
- Parkinson's disease
- Digestive disorders like constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Skin conditions like eczema
- High blood pressure
- Asthma
- Heart disease
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Rheumatoid arthritis
What Can You Expect From Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is not a one-session treatment; it's more of a lifestyle modification. You have to do it on a daily basis to achieve excellent health and longevity. During your initial consultation, the Ayurvedic practitioner will look at your age, case and family history, eating habits, profession and overall lifestyle, to get to the root cause of your health issue.
As it follows the science of holistic healing, Ayurveda takes the whole-person approach and corrects what needs correction in the body's energy constitution to prevent or cure a disease. In the assessment stage, it's important to inform the practitioner of any medication you might be on to avoid potentially experiencing adverse reactions to the herbal remedies. If you wish to receive an Ayurvedic treatment online, you can book an online consultation with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner in your area.
