AYURVEDA

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is the traditional system of medicine which originated in India more than 3,000 years ago.

The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ‘aayus’ (life) and ‘veda’ (science or knowledge). Hence the term Ayurveda means the science of life or life science. ‘Aayus’ also means longevity and therefore the term could also mean the science of longevity.

History of medicine is a fascinating subject as it is a saga of man’s struggle against diseases. As civilizations advanced and the disease patterns changed, medical sciences across the world also changed accordingly. Ayurveda is a system of medicine that evolved in India with a rational logical foundation and it has survived as a distinct entity from remote antiquity to the present day. 

The fundamentals on which the Ayurvedic system is based are essentially true for all times and do not change from age to age. These are based on human factors and intrinsic causes. The origin of Ayurveda is attributed to Atharva Veda where several diseases are mentioned along with their treatments. From the 6th Century BC to 7th Century AD there was systematic development of science, known as the Samhita period. A number of classical works were produced by several authors during this period and there are even evidences of organized medical care.

Ayurveda places great emphasis to encourage maintaining health by paying close attention to balance in one’s life through right thinking, diet, lifestyle and use of herbs.

Holistic and Natural Approach

Ayurveda defines health as a balance between body, mind, spirit and social wellbeing.
Ayurveda, as the meaning ‘science of life’ already suggests, is more than just a medical system. It touches all the different aspects of human life and gives recommendations for the best possible lifestyle.

Ayurveda places great value on the prevention of diseases instead of just curing them. The therapy does not focus on a single symptom of the patient, but on the person as a whole. With this holistic approach, Ayurveda clearly aims at finding the root cause of the disease and eliminating it.

Daily regimens, seasonal regimens, knowledge about importance of natural urges, healthy diet etc. are dealt in Ayurveda which helps in prevention of diseases.
The Ayurvedic system provides detailed instructions for seasonal and daily routines, nutrition, sleep, and even sexual behavior – always with the goal of curing diseases and enhancing health. It strengthens the body’s immune system and helps the body heal on its own.

Healing and Prevention

Ayurveda has two main intentions: On one hand, it is focused on curing disease and therefore covers the functionalities of all physiological systems in the human body – from childhood through adolescence to the different stages of adult life. On the other hand, it is about maintaining and improving one’s health. This preventive focus is more of a wellness nature. The concept and the practices of Ayurveda takes into consideration the individual as a whole in its holistic perspective and integrates everything necessary to make that individual healthy and happy. It helps to prolong life expectancy with good health and inner balance. Traditionally, there were ayurvedic physicians in most villages on whom the local people were dependent for their primary health care. They usually provided home remedies, treatments and self-prepared medicines and were considered as a trusted source of healthcare.