Introduction to Ayurvedic Medicine

If you're familiar with the terms "pitta" and "vata", thenand our bodies are not separate - they are united as
chances are you've been acquainted with one of theone, called the "mind-body". Ayurvedic philosophy and
most ancient medical practices of Asia. Ayurvedapractices reconnect us to ourselves and reminds us
(pronounced eye-your-VAY-da) has just began tothat we are one with nature and with the entire
break through mainstream Western medicalcosmos. Mental and physical health are one and the
consciousness as more and more people have begansame, so in Ayurveda, symptoms and diseases in the
to look for drug-free and natural remedies to cure theirmind (like thoughts and feelings) are just as vital as
ailments and spirits.Ayurveda is the natural system ofsymptoms and diseases of the body (like pain and
medicine that has been traditionally practiced in India forphysical difficulties). These produce imbalance and
more than 5,000 years. It is a Sanskrit word that literallyillness, so both mind and body are treated
translated means "the science of life" and "science ofsimultaneously by restoring their natural balance. In
longevity". Ayurveda is the health care system thatshort, to be healed, your whole physical lifestyle must
was slowly and steadily developed by traditional seersbe in sync with what you feel inside.The Ayurvedic
and natural scientists through centuries of meditation,objective is to live a long balanced life that achieves
observation, discussion and experiments. Theseour fullest potentials and expresses our true inner
Ayurvedic teachings were then orally passed on fromnature by adhering to certain daily practices that
teacher to student until the sixth century BC, whereprevent disease. However, Ayurvedic treatments do
detailed Sanskrit texts were finally written. It is said thatnot simply dwell on herbal medications. The system
even the ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Chinese andemphasizes the inclusion of meditation, yoga, massage
Tibetan medicine systems are said to be derived fromand proper diet. It believes in integrating the mind, body
Ayurveda. Because of its rich history and philosophy,and spirit to maintain good health and long life.In India,
this multifarious medical system is still the treatmentAyurvedic practitioners undergo state-recognized and
method of choice even for most of modern India andinstitutionalized training, much like Western doctors. Only
Southeast Asia.Ayurveda is a holistic approach thatrecently has there been a slow acceptance of
emphasizes prevention of disease rather than itsAyurveda in the West with the positive research
treatment. It has systems that aim for the rejuvenationoutcomes of meditative techniques and yoga in
of our body and the extension of life span. TheWestern medical literature. Today, more prominent and
Ayruvedic tradition believes that five elements --published studies have documented the success of
space, air, fire, water and earth -- make up the worldthe Ayurvedic approach in healing cardiovascular
we live in. Each element is found in the human bodydiseases, high blood pressure, bad cholesterol levels,
and called the "dosha". The forces and principles thatcertain cancers, infectious diseases and most
are found in all of nature are also seen in our humanstress-induced illnesses.
systems. In Ayurveda, our minds (or consciousness)