Ayurveda is the traditional healing system of India and the sister science of yoga. It is considered the first form of medicine in the world and has been practiced continuously for over 5,000 years. The word “ayurveda” literally means the science of life. It is not only a system of medicine in the conventional sense of diagnosing and treating a disease. It is a way of living. It is a unique blend of science and philosophy that teaches us how to balance the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects that are necessary for optimal health.
The wisdom of Ayurveda comes from the Vedas, the oldest and most authoritative sacred texts coming out of India. The basis of Ayurvedic philosophy is the belief that everything, living and non-living, is composed of the great five elements- namely space, air, fire, water, and earth. In the human body, these five elements combine into three life-forces called doshas- namely vata, pitta, kapha. Each of us is born with a unique combination of these doshas that make up our physical and psychological constitution. When the dosha pattern is balanced, we experience health and well-being. When the dosha pattern becomes aggravated or imbalanced (due to poor diet, stress, wrong lifestyle, climate changes, etc.), the end result is disease in the body.
Goal of Ayurvedic medicine is to detoxify the body and to rebalance the doshas or life-forces within the body. The first step is to determine a person’s specific constitution and dosha imbalances. This is accomplished by taking a complete history, doing a full physical exam (including tongue and pulse diagnosis), and running lab tests as necessary. With this knowledge, specific herbs, foods, vitamins, exercises, and daily routines, along with cleansing and rejuvenation programs, can be prescribed to restore health to the body, mind, and spirit.
Ayurveda is an invaluable daily practice for creating health and harmony in your body and in your environment. Once you begin to incorporate Ayurvedic principles into your daily activities, you will begin to see positive benefits in every aspect of your life.
