Introduction
Ayurveda, an ancient healing science, offers a holistic approach to health that aims to promote long, healthy, and balanced lives. With its roots in India for over 5,000 years, Ayurveda has recently gained popularity in Western cultures. Derived from two Sanskrit words, ayus meaning “life” or “longevity”, and veda meaning “knowledge”, it translates as “knowledge of life or longevity”. Ayurveda focuses on preventing and treating illnesses by maintaining balance in the body, mind, and consciousness through appropriate diet, lifestyle, and herbal remedies.
Body
There are two main branches of Ayurveda: traditional and Maharishi Ayurveda. While both types prescribe herbs and view diseases as imbalances in the doshas (basic energy types), Maharishi Ayurveda places greater emphasis on supreme consciousness, promoting transcendental meditation and the expression of positive emotions to maintain good health. It also emphasizes attuning one’s life to the natural rhythms of the body.
According to Ayurvedic beliefs, each person possesses a unique pattern of energy, characterized by physical, mental, and emtional attributes. The three doshas- Vata, Pitta, and Kapha- represent these energy types in every individual. Vata governs bodily functions related to motion, Pitta controls metabolic systems, and Kapha regulates growth. Imbalances in these oshas can result from various factors such as stress, an unhealthy diet, weather conditions, and strained relationships, leading to disease. Ayurvedic practitioners aim to restore doska balance through personalized treatments.
Ayurveda has shown promising effects in stress relief, as studies indicated that practices like transcendental meditation (TM) lower anxiety levels. It has also been associated with reduced blood pressure and cholesterol, slower aging, and faster recovery from illnesses. Many Ayurvedic herbs used in medicine have antioxidant properties, which may offer protection against long-term diseases like heart disease and arthritis. Additionally, Ayurveda often promotes a vegetarian diet as a heart-healthy alternative to diets containing red meat.
Ayurvedic treatments focus on rebalancing the doshas. During the initial consultation, the practitioner assesses the individual’s medical history, performs physical examinations, and considers lifestyle factors. Treatments may include breathing exercises (pranayama), herbal oil massage (abhyanga), meditation with mantras (rasayana), yoga, cleansing techniques (pancha karma), and herbal medicines. These treatments are aimed at restoring the natural dosha balance and improving overall well-being.
Ayurveda has shown potential in reducing the risk of heart disease by reducing plaque and reversing arterial thickening known as atherosclerosis. Combining yoga with Ayurvedic herbal remedies has also been effective in reducing pain and disability in chronic conditions such as arthritis and fibromyalgia. Ayurvedic herbal remedies like guggil and fenugreek seeds have been studied for their cholesterol-lowering effects and potential benefits in conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, asthma, cancer, and more. Ayurvedic herbs combined with conventional medications may also aid in managing conditions like acne, chronic constipation, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), obesity, and uterine fibroids.
Conclusion
Ayurveda continues to provide timeless wisdom for achieving balance and well-being. By recognizing the unique energies within individuals and promoting healthy lifestyle choices, Ayurveda offers a holistic path towards optimal health and harmony.
For more information see: https://holistichealingnews.com/2018/01/fatty-liver-disease/
Reference: “Ayurveda.” Mount Sinai Health System