Ayurvedic Treatments and Herbal Remedies

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is a traditional system of holistic healing. It is based on curing the diseases from the roots. It works for the aim of complete health. Ayurveda is a perfect ancient science of life; the word Ayur literally means life and Veda the science or knowledge.

Ayurveda has been continuously practiced for approximately 5,500 years in India and Asia, and is claimed to be the oldest system of natural healing on earth, the original source of many other medical traditions. It is based on natural and herbal techniques and supplements, which are 100% side effect free.

Its primary goal is preservation and promotion of health, with an emphasis on enhancing immunity. A secondary goal is the treatment of mental and physical illnesses, and the restoration of spiritual peace.

Benefits of Ayurveda

Allopathic techniques are based on the concept of sudden and instantaneous relief, so often the patient get rid of his problem for a short period, but the origin of disease is not eliminated, finally there comes the probability in future for that origin to be worse. On the other hand, Ayurveda works not to suppress the system of body, but to go to the origin and cure the basic disturbing element. In such treatments there are very low chances of side effect. It gives you a complete health treatment, which works on the complete body system so it makes you feel better in your entire body.

Ayurveda Principles and Theory
The basic theory of Ayurveda revolves round imbalance and vitiation of three humors (Doshas). Ether (Akash), Air (Vayu), Fire (Agni), Water (Jal) and Earth (Prithvi) are the five elements which underline all living systems. These elements are constantly changing and interacting and can be simplified into three Vitiations (Doshas). When these doshas remain under harmony and balance, health of body does not get disturbed but, when their balance gets disturbed, a diseased state sets in. The three doshas maintains the integrity of the living organism. The three doshas constantly change themselves due to the doshic qualities of specific lifestyle, time and season.

The Tridoshas

The three doshas are Vata (Wind), Pitta (Bile) and Kapha (Phlegm) and due to predominance of the one dosha, a person's personality is determined that is ' Vata-Prakriti', 'Pitta- Prakriti' or 'Kapha Prakriti'. These tridoshas are the primary and essential factors of the human body that controls the physical structure and all the functions of the body. These are responsible for the physiological and psychological processes taking place in the mind and body.

Vata Dosha: Vata dosha is the most important of all the three doshas. It is derived from a Sanskrit word “vaayu” meaning that is responsible for moving things. It is also termed as wind.

Kapha Dosha: Kapha is the heaviest of the three doshas. It is derived from the Sanskrit word “shlish” meaning that holds things together. It is responsible for growth, adding structure and also offers protection.

Pitta Dosha: The word pitta is derived from the Sanskrit word “pinj” that means to shine. It is associated with fire that is why it is often regarded as the fire within the body. It organizes all the body activities after transformation.

Each person has an individual blend of the three doshas, with one or sometimes two doshas predominating.

According to Ayurveda’s basic concept of human body, there are seven body types and they are:

Mono Types

• Wind dominated individuals (vata)

• Bile dominated individuals (pitta)

• Mucus dominated individuals (kapha)

Dual Types

• Wind and bile dominated individual (vata and pitta)

• Wind and mucus dominated individuals (vata and kapha)

• Bile and mucus dominated individuals (pitta and kapha)

Equal Types

• Vata, pitta and kapha in equal proportions

Vata Dosha, Properties and Various functions
Vata Dosha

Vata formed from ether and air, governs all movement in the mind and body and must be kept in good balance. This biological humor is responsible for controlling the function of destruction. It is regarded as the main dosha among all the three as it controls and governs all the functions performed by other doshas.

It is responsible for all the somatic activities and sensations. It controls breathing, blinking, muscle and tissue movement, pulsation of the heart, all movements in the cytoplasm and cell membranes. Vata promotes a healthy balance between the thought and emotion that gives rise to creativity and activity. It also regulates the nervous processes involved with movements, thoughts, and emotions, eating, drinking, elimination and the general functioning of the body. Balanced vata is a key to good health.

Properties of Vata

The various properties of vata are dry, light, cold, rough, subtle and minute moving. The large intestine is the main site of vata. The other major sites of vata are pelvic region, thighs, ears, bones and the skin.

People of vata type are the thinnest of the three humors. They tend to have dry skin and hair as the main quality of vata is dry. A person with vata predominant is blessed with a quick mind, flexibility and creativity. Vata people tend to have poor stamina. Usually people who are tall or short are vata types. They may have joints that crack or the joints protrude slightly from the skin. The hair colour tends to be dark and the hair has a course texture. People of vata types have variable appetite and digestion. They tend to produce little urine and their feaces are hard, dry and small in size and quantity. They are more susceptible to diseases such as pneumonia and arthritis. Other common vata disorders are dry skin and hair, nerve disorders, joint pain, constipation, flatulence and mental confusion.

Various functions provided by Vata

• Controls all the physical and mental movements of the body.

• Transfers the sensory input from various sense organs to the brain.

• Governs the process of elimination- faeces, urine, sweat, semen and fetus.

• Assists the metabolism (agni) in the body.

Various effects produced by balanced Vata

• Controlled mental activity

• Normal respiratory function

• Proper stimulation of digestive juices

• Proper co-ordination among all body functions

• Normal movements associated with eating, digestion and elimination.

• Excellent energy level

• Controlled action of the organs of perception and the organs of action

• Good energy levels

How to balance Vata dosha?

When vata becomes imbalance it can create imbalance in the other two doshas. This imbalance is known as tridoshic imbalance. Imbalanced vata results in fear, anxiety, agitation, worry, nervousness and tension. In order to balance vata one should avoid raw foods, cold foods and extreme cold weathers. Body should be kept warm and mind should be kept calm.


Pitta Dosha, Properties and Various functions
Pitta Dosha

Pitta formed from fire and water, governs all heat, metabolism and transformation in the mind and body. The whole chemical process including enzymes, immune power, hormones, nerves and the nutritional system attributes to pitta. Pitta governs the ability to digest ideas and impressions that helps the human body to perceive the true nature of reality.

According to ancient Ayurvedic text, Charaka Samhita, pitta, functions in digestion, heat production, provides color to the blood, provides vision and skin luster. It organizes all the body activities after transformation. The transformation of foods into nutrients assimilated by the human body is one of the functions of pitta. Pitta is also responsible for metabolism in the organ and tissue systems as well as cellular metabolism.

Properties of pitta

The various properties of pitta are oily, penetrating, hot, light, unpleasant odour, spreading nature and liquid form. Among the organs major site of pitta is navel, the other sites are blood and lymph, eyes, skin, stomach, upper part of small intestine and sweat.

People with pitta as predominant have the qualities of fire. Pitta people have warm bodies, penetrating ideas and sharp intelligence. People are of average build, height and weight. They tend to be strong with good stamina. They are the most balanced physically and have lighter coloured hair, fairer skin, blue or green eyes. Pitta people tend to have a strong metabolism, good digestion and strong appetites. They tend to suffer from diseases like jaundice, inflammatory diseases, fevers, burning sensation and sore throats.

Various functions provided by pitta

• Thermogenesis- maintains the proper body temperature

• Metabolism or transformation- starting from digestion of food to transformation of all other materials

• Appetite- the feeling of hunger and thirst

• Comprehension of information into knowledge also includes reasoning and judgment

• Courage and braveness to face the situation

• Converts external images into optic nerve impulses

• Provides colour and softness to the skin

Various effects of balanced pitta

• Good complexion with healthy facial tone

• Lustrous and slightly wavy hair

• Strong and complete digestion

• Efficient assimilation of foods

• Normal heat and thirst mechanisms

• Open intellect with good concentration on the truth

How to balance pitta dosha?

Imbalanced pitta results in incomplete digestion, irregular body temperatures, loss of energy and variable skin color. To balance pitta one should avoid excessive heat, oil and steam. Salt intake should also be restricted. One should eat cooling and non-spicy foods.

Kapha Dosha, Properties and Various functions
Kapha Dosha

Kapha formed from earth and water, cements the elements in the body, providing the material for physical structure. It is responsible for the maintenance of all creations taking place in the body. All the activities of the skeletal and the anabolic system come under kapha. It provides the structure and the lubrication needed by the body. It works as glue that holds the body cells together. It supplies the water to all bodily parts and systems. It lubricates joints, moisturizes the skin and maintains immunity.

Properties of kapha

The various properties of kapha are oily, cold, heavy, slow acting, slimy, soft and stable. The major site of kapha is chest and the other sites are throat, head, trachea, joints, stomach, lymph, fat tissue, nose and tongue.

The main quality of kapha is heavy. Kapha people are blessed with strength and stamina. The skin tends to be oily and smooth. The people predominant to kapha tend to gain weight and have a slow metabolism. Kapha types are calm, tolerant and forgiving. They may become lethargic with the time but their long-term memory is very sharp. Kapha type people tend to have diseases like sinus congestion, flu, diseases involving mucous, diabetes, water retention and headaches.

Various functions provided by kapha

• Mass and structure to provide fullness to bodily tissues.

• Fertility and virility to produce healthy offspring

• Strength to perform physical tasks

• Moistness to prevent the occurrence of friction between different parts of the body

• Provides stability to both mind and the body.

Various effects produced by balanced kapha

• Strong sexual potency and immunity

• Adequate moisture and lubrication throughout the body

• Regular appetite and strong digestion

• Good nutritional status with strong bones

• Physiological amounts of respiratory moisture

How to balance Kapha dosha?

Imbalanced kapha results in poor nutritional status, decreases mucous, loose joints, weakened physique, slow digestion and lack of appetite. In order to balance the kapha one should avoid heavy foods, dairy products, fatty oily foods, and cold drinks. Light and dry food should be consumed.

Ayurvedic Cooking
Balanced diet with proper cooking of the food stuff is a key to good health. Ayurveda recommends some ayurvedic cooking recipes which promotes immunity and helps in the treatment of mental and physical illnesses. Before going in depth regarding the benefits of ayurvedic cooking, know some basics of Ayurveda.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda is perhaps the oldest system of health care in the world and originates from the Indian subcontinent. It is a Sanskrit word, derived from two roots - ayur means life and veda, the knowledge.

Ayurveda briefly explain the knowledge of the do's and don'ts one has to follow, which favors the well being of each individual to lead a healthy, happy, comfortable and advantageous life both physically and mentally. Ayurveda also emphasizes that prevention is better than cure.

The Tridoshas

According to Ayurveda, there are three doshas namely vata (wind), pitta (bile) and kapha (mucus). These three doshas are responsible for the physiological and psychological processes taking place in the mind and body.

Vata dosha: Vata is composed of elements air and space. This biological humor is responsible for controlling the function of destruction. It is regarded as the main dosha among all the three as it controls and governs all the functions performed by other doshas.

Pitta dosha: Pitta is composed of elements fire and water. It organizes all activities performed by body after the process of transformation. The whole chemical process including enzymes, immune power, hormones, nerves and the nutritional system attributes to pitta.

Kapha dosha: Kapha is composed of elements earth and water. It is responsible for the maintenance of all creations taking place in the body. All the activities of the skeletal and the anabolic system come under kapha.

Benefits of Ayurvedic Cooking

Ayurvedic cooking recipes helps you to cook your food to achieve the equilibrium among these doshas. When the three doshas are in a state of equilibrium, one remains healthy. The three doshas maintains the integrity of the living organism.