Ayurveda: Ancient School of Healing

Ayurveda  medicine is a Hindu system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine.

Ayurveda is considered by many scholars to be the oldest healing science.

The goal of Ayurveda medicine is to prevent diseases and increase longevity.

Ayurveda is one of the oldest medical systems of the world which deal with both body and spirit. It originated from the lands of India around 5000 years ago and was the part of Sanatana Dharma or Vedic Religion. By using the inherent basics of nature, Ayurveda can aid in promoting health and well being by keeping the body, spirit and mind in perfect sync with the nature. 

Unlike conventional medicines and treatments which focus only over disease management, this ancient school of medicine bestows the knowledge of preventing the disease and removing its root causes so that it does not occur again.

Ayurveda comprises of two Sanskrit root words “ayur” meaning life or longevity and “veda” meaning science. Thus the literal meaning of Ayurveda is “the science of life” which covers the mind, senses, soul and body and helps in maintaining their perfect balance by developing knowledge about one’s cosmic system and use of herbs for healing and fostering longevity.

Main principles of Ayurveda

This ancient system of healing, preventing, life and longevity was passed orally by saints and sages of the country for years and after the advent of writing, one of the greatest sages from Indian land, Veda Vyasa, collated the entire knowledge of Ayurveda in the form of spiritual literature known as the Vedas. There are four Vedas or Indian books of wisdom- the Rig Veda, the Sama Veda, the Atharva Veda and the Yajur Veda- which contain various topics like spirituality, self realization, health, spiritual business, astrology, army, spiritual behaviors and living, poetry etc.

In these scriptures it is written that a human body is made out of five cosmic elements- air, water, fire, earth and space- which need to be kept in equilibrium for a happy and healthy life. Every individual is influenced by these elements in different manner from others because of his natural constitution or Prakriti. In Ayurveda, this can be easily explained by the concept of three doshas.

• 
  
• Vata Dosha, pertaining space and air elements and is responsible for circulation, nerves impulses, respiration and elimination.
• 
  
• Pitta Dosha, pertaining fire elements and governing metabolism.
• 
  
• Kapha Dosha, pertaining water and earth elements and is regulates growth and protection.

A dosha not only affect the shape of the body but also one’s tendencies like digestion, food preferences etc. and the disposition of emotions and mind. A person is healthy when all his doshas are balanced, entire body parts, tissues and organs are functioning in sound state and when his mind, spirit and body are in perfect harmony.

Ayurveda indicates that if a person is diseased or shows a symptom of illness then there is an imbalance in his doshas and by bringing the system back into perfect balance in the way to cure. There are two forms of treatments used in Ayurveda, Panchakarma and use of herbs. Panchakarma is a combination of five body purification procedures that serve as the form of classic ayurvedic treatment and helps in removing unwanted toxins out of the body. These are emesis or therapeutic vomiting, purgation, enema, nasal elimination of toxins and detoxification of blood or bloodletting.

Along with these special traditional herbs can be used as the part of treatment for fast healing and better living.

Since Ayurveda does not hamper the natural balance of the body and supports health naturally, it is free from any side effects which have increased its popularity among the folks worldwide as a medium to recuperate and maintain optima well being. It can be used a complementary treatment with allopathic treatment or a complete treatment on its own. It not only aims at protecting health, prolonged life and eliminating diseases of the body but also gives importance to one’s lifestyle, suggesting ways to adjust it according to environmental changes.

- See more at: http://healthandfitnesssociety.com/ayurveda-ancient-school-of-healing#sthash.3Q5FyQLP.dpuf