by Jitesh Chawla

Created on: February 10, 2009   Last Updated: February 27, 2009

Introduction to Ayurveda

Ayurvedic philosophy is that all matter is composed of 5 elements: fire, water, earth, space and air. To stay healthy and free of disease there needs to balance of the 3 main substances namely, Vaat (air/earth/spirit), Pitta (bile) and Kappha (phlegm), these are also known as Doshas. The human body consists of 7 additional elements which are blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow, chyle, and semen. As opposed to allopathic medicine which is practiced in the West, here the treatment is based on the deficiency caused by the disturbance of the harmony between the body elements thru the Doshas, and so, treatments are aimed at the physiological process than the anatomically defined pathology. For example, certain types of weakness are thought to be when the Vaat enters the bone marrow.

When an ailment occurs then Panchakarma is used which consists of 5 techniques to get the toxin out of the body. These are Vasya-through the nose, Raktamokshana which is artificial bloodletting (thru leeches), Basti is medicated enema, Vaman consists of induced vomiting and Virechan which is induced purgation. Along with this, Ayer Veda stresses message as adjuvant therapy with any of the five. A medicated oil is applied over the full body (Snehan) and then the patient is putting into a sauna type chamber for induction of sweating (Swadan). Other therapies include use of dietetics (Sansarjan Krama) and smoking of medicinal cigars (Dhumapuna).

All Ayurvedic medicines are based on plants but are used for a variety of conditions and all different body systems. For example, if a patient comes in with a cough incited from dust then Rasayana medicines (immunomodulators) could be given. If another patient has a migraine then the Snehan is done where oil is poured only over his head. Occasionally, Ayurvedic medicines are used these days for pathology that is usually addressed surgically. For example, the Arjuna plant produces an extract that helps strengthen the papillary muscles of the heart, which can be issue with patients who just suffered a large heart attack and now had significant mitral regurgitation. But, allopathic medicines are still used for emergencies such as a pneumonia (when antibiotics are given) and acute asthma attack (when beta agonists are given) as these medicines are enter the body quicker and with more force than most Ayurvedic medicines.

In conclusion, Ayurveda is a philosophy and practical medium of practicing medicine that are based on beliefs of what the body is made up of and how it functions. The medicines used are all natural and can be used for generally all the same ailments that modern medicine attempts to treat. This is the basic synopsis of this ancient Indian secret to healing.

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