What is Ayurveda?

When we hear the word Ayurveda, the very first thing that comes to our mind is Ayurvedic Medicines. Yes in actuality, Ayurveda is a system of Ayurvedic Medicines which is inscripted in Atharva Veda. In hindu mythology there are four vedas, Rig veda, Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Atharveda.

Ayurveda is an all-natural medical practice that originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. The word Ayurveda means "knowledge of life" in Sanskrit and serves as a reminder of the deep interdependence of all living things. The art and science of Ayurveda aims to balance our internal and external worlds with a special emphasis on holistic wellness.

Ayurveda is made of five elements, ether (akash), air (vayu), fire (agni) ,water (jal) and earth (prithvi) which are known as Pancha Bhutas. These five elements are divided by Ayurveda into three fundamental categories of energy and functional principles that exist in everything and everyone. We utilise the Sanskrit words vata, pitta, and kapha to represent the combinations of these principles since there are no single words in English to do so.

Ayurvedic remedies have altered and developed over the span of more than two millennia. Examples of therapy include herbal cures, certain diets, meditation, yoga, massage, laxatives, enemas, and medical oils. Typically, the foundation of ayurvedic treatments is composed of complex plant components, minerals, and metals (perhaps under the influence of early Indian alchemy or rasashastra). Now a days people are started trusting Ayurvedic Wellness Centres for their health issuees. Ayurvedic books from long ago also explained how to perform surgeries like rhinoplasty, kidney stone removal, sutures, and foreign object removal.

Treatment

An internal cleansing procedure is the first step in an Ayurvedic treatment plan, which is then followed by a particular diet, herbal treatments, massage therapy, yoga, and meditation. The fundamental precepts of ayurvedic treatments are the ideas of universal connection, bodily constitution (prakriti), and life forces (doshas). The person benefits from treatment when pollutants are removed, symptoms are decreased, illness resistance is increased, worry is decreased, and life harmony is increased. Ayurvedic treatments make considerable use of oils, spices, and other plants, including herbs.

Let’s look at some of the mainly used ayurvedic massage treatments:

Abhyanga Massage

A traditional self-performed full-body massage using medicinal oil is called Abhyanga. To relieve tension, boost circulation, and reduce inflammation, the oil is briefly warmed before being applied to the entire body, from head to toe depending on the illness it is intended to treat. The oil may contain different herbs that are specifically infused into it. Let’s look at some of the variations of Abhyanga Therapies

• Kati Vasti Treatment: 

  By keeping warm medicinal oil on the lower back for a predetermined amount of time, Kati Vasti is a traditional treatment for lower back pain and inflammation. The warm oil puddles over the target region to provide external stimulation for a relaxing effect. A little frame or a well formed of gram dough is used to hold the oil. Many holistic wellness centres give the facility of
  this treatment.

• Elakizhi Treatment:

  Sweating is healthy for you. It helps in sweating out impurities and expanding skin pores. You could require Elakizhi treatment if your daily activities don’t include much physical activity. By massaging the body with a bundle of herbs wrapped in a muslin cloth and bathed in warm oil, Elaikizhi treatment causes perspiration. The procedure relieves physical aches, painful muscles, and tension.

• Njavara Kizhi Treatment:

  Boluses of cooked rice, milk, and herbal extracts are used in this ancient Ayurvedic massage technique to encourage perspiration. Patients with arthritis or anyone experiencing short-term or long-term musculoskeletal discomfort can benefit from this massage therapy.

Panchakarma Treatment

It’s a holistic procedure carried out over the course of a week to naturally activate the body’s detoxification systems. Ancient sages created and recommended the Panchakarma Treatment thousands of years ago in order to promote healthy life.

Let’s look at the five modalities that make up the panchakarma process:

• Vamana Treatment: 

  For a few days, medicinal oil or ghee is given as part of this therapy in an effort to stir the doshas and eventually cause vomiting. By removing toxins from the tissues, Vamana is used to heal diseases brought on by high levels of the Kapha dosha.

• Virechana Treatment:

  This therapy entails giving herbal laxatives to treat illnesses brought on by an excess of the Pittadosha as well as to induce bowel movement and remove poisons from the GI tract.

• Basti Treatment:

  In order to empty the colon, a herbal enema is administered during this therapy. Despite being used to treat vitiated Vata dosha, this procedure is crucial to the panchakarma detox and gut cleansing process. The treatment is largely painless and minimally intrusive.

• Nasyam Treatment:

  In order to help the patient get relief from Kapha associations above the head, herbal nasal drops are administered into the nostrils.

• Raktamokshana Treatment:

  This age-old treatment clears blood pollutants by either allowing a leech to suck blood from vital regions or by cutting a tiny cut with a metal tool.

Varicose Veins Treatment:

Young women are susceptible to varicose veins, but middle-aged women are more likely to have them. Ayurveda’s treatment for Varicose veins combines herbs and massage oils like Sahacharadi thailam and Pinda thailam. The procedure can be carried out at home or by an
expert in Ayurveda.

Psoriasis Treatment:

Itchy, dry, and flaky skin are symptoms of the autoimmune condition known as psoriasis. The body, the neck, or the scalp may all develop the spots. In Ayurveda, psoriasis is often treated by a qualified practitioner utilising a range of herbal pastes.

Shirodhara Treatment:

It’s a restorative therapy delivered in a specially constructed setting by a licensed practitioner. Warm medicinal oil is applied to the forehead as part of the procedure. A light head massage is part of the 60–90 minute procedure to help with headaches, stress, and anxiety.

Diet

Ayurveda is a holistic medical system that emphasises encouraging body-mind harmony. The universe is said to be made up of five elements: Vayu (air), jala (water), akash (space), teja (fire), and Prithvi (earth). These components are said to combine to create three distinct doshas, which are categories of energy that flow through your body. Each dosha is in charge of a particular physiological function. For instance, the pitta dosha regulates thirst, hunger, and body temperature. While the kapha dosha supports joint function, the vata dosha maintains electrolyte balance and mobility. Ayurveda includes the Ayurvedic diet, which has been used for thousands of years. It is focused on figuring out which dosha dominates you and consuming particular foods to encourage balance among the three doshas.

How does it work?

Based on your dosha, or bodily type, the Ayurvedic diet is a form of eating regimen that specifies when, how, and what foods you should eat. The following are some of the primary characteristics which will assist you in choosing the dosha that most closely resembles you:

• Pitta: This dosha usually has a medium physical build, a short fuse, and may be afflicted with diseases like heart disease, high blood pressure, or indigestion.
• Vata: When out of balance, this dosha, which is typically associated with thin, light-framed people, may cause problems with digestion, weariness, or anxiety.
• Kapha: A kapha dosha person typically has a stronger constitution and may struggle with diabetes, asthma, depression, or weight gain.

This diet states that the things you should eat to encourage inner harmony depend on your dosha. For instance, the pitta dosha restricts spices, nuts, and seeds and prioritises cooling, and energising foods. While avoiding dried fruits, pungent herbs, and raw vegetables, the vata dosha prefers warm, moist, and grounding foods. Last but not the least, the kapha dosha discourages the consumption of heavy foods like nuts, seeds, and oils in favour of fruits, vegetables, and legumes.

For all three doshas, it is forbidden to consume red meat, artificial sweeteners, and processed foods. The Ayurvedic diet, on the other hand, promotes consuming wholesome, healthy foods.

The Bottom Line

In this era of unhealthy lifestyles and artificial and temporary things, we should embrace Ayurveda as it gives us permanent solutions. Ayurveda has long-lasting results compared to other artificial treatments in the market. Unlike other temporary treatments, it does not have any side effects. Ayurvedic Massage is the best way to get relief from body pain, stress, and inflammation. Not only this, by taking an ayurvedic diet and avoiding all the junk can also help us to keep healthy. Hope this blog will help readers to know more about Ayurveda and they’ll surely go back to our natural heritage. Happy reading!