Ayurveda
“Hitahitam sukham dukham ayustasya hitahitam
manam cha tacha yatroktam ayurveda sa uchyate”
(Translation: The science of life, which contains the knowledge of what is beneficial or harmful, what leads to happiness or suffering, and what promotes or diminishes life, is called Ayurveda.)
This ancient verse beautifully encapsulates the essence of Ayurveda as a holistic system of knowledge that guides us in making choices for a balanced and healthy life.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda, translated from Sanskrit as the “science of life,” is one of the oldest medical systems in the world, predating even the construction of the Egyptian pyramids. It is a scientific medical practice, not to be confused with religious doctrines, folk remedies, or quackery. The logic and harmony behind its concepts continue to astound even modern minds.
Over thousands of years, Ayurveda has gathered vast experience, developing highly effective medicines and methods for both preserving and restoring health. It remains relevant today, especially as people recognize the limitations and side effects of modern medical practices.
A fundamental belief in Ayurveda is that humans (microcosms) constantly interact with the Universe (macrocosm), as both are made from the same “building materials.” This is where the theory of the Five Elements, or Pancha Bhuta, comes in. According to this theory, everything in the universe, including humans, is composed of five primary elements: Bhumi (earth), Jala (water), Agni (fire), Vayu (air), and Akasha (ether). The unique nature of objects, including the human body, is defined by the specific combination of these elements.
Another essential Ayurvedic concept is the theory of the Three Doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These doshas represent the vital forces in a living organism and regulate various bodily functions. Each dosha corresponds to a combination of the five elements:
Vata: is the coordinating dosha, controlling the functions of all other elements. Vata, associated with “air” and “ether,” brings properties like lightness, dryness, and mobility, akin to the wind.
Pitta: governs metabolism and is responsible for digestion and energy utilization, aligned with the fire element, giving it heat and quickness.
Kapha: regulates anabolic processes, providing stability and structure to the body. Associated with “water” and “earth,” it is heavy, steady, and slower in nature.
Together, these three doshas must remain in balance to maintain good health, and the specific constitution of an individual determines their physical, mental, and emotional characteristics. Ayurveda’s goal is to harmonize these elements to promote well-being and address imbalances, leading to a holistic approach to health and longevity.
Ayurveda consists of two main sections
It’s no coincidence that Ayurveda prioritizes the health of the healthy. Its primary aim is to promote well-being and enable individuals to enjoy a long, healthy life. Ayurveda excels in preventing and managing chronic conditions such as atherosclerosis, stroke, myocardial infarction, and issues related to sexual health.
This ancient system uses natural remedies derived from plants, animals, and minerals. Its approach includes:
Lifestyle Changes: Adjustments to daily habits to align with one’s individual constitution and needs.
Nutrition: Diets designed to balance the doshas and support overall health, often considered as effective as medicinal treatments.
Natural Medicines: Herbal preparations and treatments tailored to specific conditions and needs.
Ayurveda emphasizes treating the root cause of illnesses rather than merely addressing symptoms, which helps prevent side effects often associated with conventional medicines. It promotes a holistic approach to health, integrating body, mind, and spirit.
This traditional system is grounded in ancient texts such as the Brahma Samhita, part of the Atharva Veda, which outlines the principles and practices of Ayurveda. Legendary figures like Charaka and Sushruta, who lived around the 6th century BCE, developed foundational recipes and treatments that continue to inform modern Ayurvedic practices.
Ayurveda, with its focus on natural and balanced living, remains a profound and effective approach to health, bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary needs. Its principles have stood the test of time, retaining their efficacy and allure despite the advancements of modern medicine.
Ayurveda offers a profound opportunity for self-discovery and personal growth by helping you understand yourself on a deeper level and clear the “psychological fog” that obscures self-awareness. It explains why certain foods or remedies may not have worked for you, guiding you towards more personalized solutions. By applying a few Ayurvedic principles, you can experience noticeable improvements in your well-being, recognizing the direct connection between your diet, thoughts, and health. Ayurveda also helps you understand and prevent imbalances, such as colds and flu, by teaching you how to maintain harmony. Through its holistic approach, Ayurveda can restore and sustain your health, aligning your body, mind, and spirit with nature’s rhythms.
Ayurveda views the human body as a composition of five basic elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth. Each person has these elements in unique proportions, essential for the stable functioning of the body. These proportions define our individuality and differentiate us from others. The elements combine to form what are known as Doshas. Doshas, inherently fluctuating and responsive to various factors, are categorized into three types: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Vata Dosha is composed of ether and air, which are characterized as cold, light, unstable, and mobile. When a person predominantly exhibits Vata characteristics, they might have long, thin bones, dark curly hair, an oblong or oval face, thin, dry skin, small lips, crooked grayish teeth, and a tendency to be underweight or accumulate fat primarily in the abdominal area. They may also have a poor appetite, speak quickly, have a low body temperature, and show early signs of wrinkles. Personality traits associated with Vata include being artistic or highly creative, enjoying being the center of attention, a love for travel, and a preference for a warm, humid climate. In the Western world, excess Vata is often linked to various health issues due to its increase with age and from activities that create more air in the body, such as travel, watching TV, working on the computer, or eating hurriedly. An imbalance of Vata can lead to symptoms like insomnia, dry skin, anxiety, constipation, forgetfulness, hair loss, joint pain, general weakness, and cold extremities. Chronic high Vata can contribute to conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Ayurveda addresses these imbalances by using substances that counteract the properties of ether and air—employing warm, heavy, moist, and stable treatments to restore balance and health. This approach not only aims to correct the imbalance but also promotes long-term harmony within the body, reducing the need for ongoing medication. By adjusting diet and lifestyle, individuals can manage their Vata levels effectively.
Pitta Dosha is composed of fire and water, characterized as hot, light, dry, unstable, and mobile. When a person predominantly exhibits Pitta characteristics, they may have medium-thickness bones and skin, an angular face, medium-sized lips, straight light or red hair, yellowish teeth, and a tendency to easily gain and lose weight. They often have a good appetite, medium to large breasts, and a ruddy complexion, with generally high body temperature. Personality traits associated with Pitta include being a workaholic, prone to addictions, critical, competitive, adventurous, and potentially a perfectionist who achieves high goals. They tend to prefer a cool, humid climate. Imbalances in Pitta are often linked to a love for spicy, hot foods when out of balance and aversion to them when balanced. Factors that contribute to increased Pitta include consuming old food, prolonged sun exposure, alcohol, and salty foods. Symptoms of excessive Pitta include anger, irritability, increased criticism, high blood pressure, heart disease, diarrhea, heart attacks, irritable bowel syndrome, infections, yellow or green mucus discharge, skin rashes, and red eyes. Chronic high Pitta conditions can lead to strokes and heart issues. Ayurveda treats Pitta imbalances using cool, heavy, moist, and stable substances to counteract its fiery nature, recommending specific foods and lifestyle changes to restore balance.
Kapha Dosha, composed of water and earth, is the most stable of the three Doshas. It is characterized as cold, heavy, and stable. Individuals with a predominance of Kapha typically have a round face, large round eyes, thick wavy hair, large full lips, thick skin, and either short, wide or long, wide bones. They often have a very hairy body, short square-shaped hands with short fingers, and easily gain and lose weight. Kapha types are known for their kind hearts, humor, tendency to be moved to tears, slow decision-making, stubbornness, loyalty, and preference for staying at home. When Kapha balance is disturbed, leading to an excess of water and earth, symptoms such as depression, obesity, accumulation of substances, blockages in the body, type 2 diabetes, and a craving for sweets may arise. Ayurveda addresses Kapha imbalances with dry, warm, light, and unstable substances, which may include dry herbal massages and lighter foods. Stress, which can become pervasive, is addressed by Pancha Karma, a comprehensive therapy that removes excess substances, tones the nervous system, restores circulation, and rejuvenates the body. This therapy helps in alleviating stress and preventing degenerative diseases, nervous and mental disorders, paralysis, rheumatism, diabetes, and obesity. Kerala’s contributions to this therapy are notable, and modern treatments incorporating Ayurveda and Yoga are offered to counter the effects of contemporary life, which has distanced people from nature’s care and made them more prone to illness.
Treatment principles
Every year, Ayurveda garners increasing interest as it represents a comprehensive system of health improvement rooted in ancient Vedic knowledge. Unique in its approach, Ayurvedic treatment addresses the entire body rather than focusing on specific organs or systems. Even brief Ayurvedic courses can yield positive results by strengthening the immune system, relieving stress, and enhancing disease resistance, all thanks to the use of natural oils and medicinal herbs. The Ayurvedic approach is personalized based on an individual’s constitution (prakriti), determined through pulse diagnostics by an Ayurvedic doctor, who then tailors drugs and procedures accordingly. Key Ayurvedic practices include various types of massages with oils and herbs, steaming in herb-infused barrels, oil baths, and cleansing procedures. Ayurveda prioritizes restoring bodily balance and addressing the root causes of diseases rather than merely treating symptoms. It also emphasizes a balanced diet incorporating all six tastes—sweet, salty, bitter, sour, astringent, and spicy—to enhance digestion and overall health. Simple yet nutritious Ayurvedic recipes demonstrate how everyday food can function as medicine. The use of rasayanas, herbal remedies derived from Indian herbs, is central to Ayurvedic treatment, offering protection against diseases, improving cognitive function, slowing aging, and extending lifespan. By adhering to a regimen that includes cleansing, proper nutrition, and natural medicines, Ayurvedic therapy restores energy balance in the body. It not only preserves but can also enhance health, strength, beauty, and youth, teaching how to optimally utilize the body’s resources and capabilities. Ayurveda provides a genuine path to health and harmony.
In Ayurveda, proper nutrition hinges on the principle of individuality rather than universality. Each person's constitution (dosha), akin to a genetic code, is established at conception and governs all bodily processes. Understanding doshas—vata, pitta, and kapha—and their influence requires nuanced knowledge, which can be challenging for those with a Western perspective. Ayurvedic cuisine considers factors like dosha dominance, time of year, day, and even weather to tailor dietary practices. A balanced dosha indicates health, while dominance of one dosha over the others signals potential illness, which Ayurveda addresses through dosha-specific diets. While online tests can estimate dosha ratios, a specialist is best equipped to interpret results and provide precise guidance. Unlike Western views where external connection is primarily visual or auditory, Ayurveda emphasizes the stomach's role in this connection. Ayurvedic nutrition values the taste of food, recognizing that the six basic tastes—sweet, bitter, spicy, sour, salty, and astringent—each correspond to specific doshas or their combinations. To achieve balance, meals should include all six tastes, using spices and herbs as advised by an Ayurvedic expert, but not in excessive amounts.
In Ayurveda, dietary nutrition is integral to both therapeutic procedures and Ayurvedic preparations for cleansing the body. Food is considered a form of medicine, essential for both preventing and treating diseases. It not only nourishes and repairs cells but also influences our mental state, as what we eat affects our mood. According to Ayurveda, many diseases stem from improper nutrition, emphasizing that health relies more on our dietary choices than on doctors or medications. The system of balanced and proper nutrition in Ayurveda, developed by Indian sages, underscores the profound connection between diet and overall well-being.