05 May

Ayurveda Basics – The Science of Ayurveda

Sonica Krishan

Sonica Krishan

Dr Sonica Krishan is Author and Speaker in Healthy and Joyous Living through Ayurveda, Meditation, Yoga and other Contemplative practices. She is a leading Ayurveda Professional in India. She is also Health Writer, Columnist, Editor, Ayurveda Consultant at Herboveda and Holistic Healing Coach. Dr Sonica is open for National as well as International Collaborations with interested people / institutions in fields of Ayurveda, Meditation and Yoga.
Sonica Krishan

Ayurveda, which is a holistic ancient perception
passed on by learned Sages of India, have endowed our health and longevity with
the virtues of Natural wellness since times immemorial. Derived from the two
meaningful lexis Ayus and Veda which when combined together, (whereas
Ayus means life and Veda is knowledge or science) crafts the word “Ayurveda” or
the Science of Life.

Ayurveda treatment is rightly regarded
as ‘Sukha Chikitsa’ or the blissful health
management and in precise logic it means that this is the pure form of healing,
wherein an individual is made to find complete relief from his ailment and at
the same time it is ensured that in the process no other ailment tends to crop
up.  

 

Ayurveda
Basics

 There are two key features that
attribute to the entire science of Ayurveda

 

   Swasthavritam or the Natural Lifestyle
Modification

This is the prophylactic approach to
Natural wellness in Ayurveda philosophy, which is manifested primarily with
maintaining as well as sustaining holistic wellness. And precisely this is
regarded as most imperative and desirable in Ayuveda discipline.

 Aaturvritam
or the curative aspect of Ayurveda therapy

 Ayurveda being a therapeutic
discipline, has full potential to help a patient  overcome the ailment from which he is
suffering, exclusively using Natural means of healing. Curing of the disease in
Ayurveda has always been considered as secondary to harboring of Natural
wellness.   

 

What
makes Ayurveda Distinctive?

 

  • In Ayurveda therapy the very approach towards
    treatment focuses to eradicate the disease from its roots. The aim is to do
    away with the basic cause of the disease, and also no new ailment should emerge
    as a consequence.
  • Ayurveda insists that medicine be centered at
    the patient, rather on the disease. And therefore this science redeems holistic
    approach towards well being.  
  • Ayurveda treatment deals with the preparations
    only from herbs and natural resources, it is regarded as not-detrimental mode
    of treatment with least or no side effects.
  •  Concept
    of the five Elements in Ayurveda Philosophy

Our physical body that is
believed to be a natural amalgam of the five basic elements viz. sky or ether,
air, fire, water and earth; evidently authenticates with the theory of
Ayurveda.

  •  Aakasha or Ether (sky) – This element is the empty
    space between organs and cells.
  •  Vayu or the air element – This corresponds to all
    body movements.
  •  Agni or the fire- This is the implicit metabolic
    heat present in the body.
  •   Jala or the water – All the fluids flowing in
    the body like Saliva, plasma, mucous correspond to the water element.
  • Prithvi or the earth element  – This manifests as our body substance.

 
 
 
 

Vata,
Pitta & Kapha – The Backbone of Ayurveda Philosophy

These three doshas or humors of the body are the prime attributes that are significant
for not only the upholding of the human body, but also in every little aspect
that causes balance or even imbalance within the body.

Vata or the air, Pitta or the fire
and kapha or the Phlegm are entirely imbibed within the body. This needs to be
understood that as and when the three doshas are present in their relative
balanced states, then these reason for the natural wellness of an individual.
Nevertheless when the three humors get to become imbalanced, this means that
either they are decreased or increased than their normal limits, this reasons
formation of disease.

 

Relation
between the three Doshas and the five Elements

 

  •  Of
    the five basic elements, Ether and Air combine together and result into making
    of Vata or the Air. Movement or commotion is the fundamental quality of the
    air humor or the Vata dosha.
  •   The
    fire humor or Pitta dosha is mainly the consequence of Fire element. This
    signifies metabolism inside the body.
  •   Water
    and Earth combine and make up the Kapha or phlegm humor. And this very humor or
    dosha entails the physical structure of the human body.
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