Ayurvedic remedies E-Book

Satish Venkatesan

• Herausgeber: Vyiha Publishing
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2013

Beschreibung

Ayurveda, the science of life, represents the awareness in living. Considered by many the most ancient medicine system in the world, its roots can be seen still in our days. As certified practitioner in Ayurveda Medecine, Satish ​Venkatesan presents in this book a detailed overview of remedies meant to improve and enhance the body functions through prevention. By introducing the theories at the basis of this discipline, he explains the importance of maintaining the balance among the different energies flowing through the body during our daily life.

Leseprobe

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1

History of Ayurveda

Chapter 2

Basics of Ayurveda

Tri-Dosha Theory

The four forces

Pancha-Maha-Bhoota Theory

Sapta-Dhatu Theory

Agni and Aama

Ojas

Mala

Srotas

The thirteen natural urges

Good Conduct (Sadvrata)

Chapter 3

Ayurvedic remedies applied to our daily life

Dinacharya

Ritucharya

Autumn and early Winter regimen

Late Winter and Spring regimen

Summer regimen

Easy to cook Ayurvedic recipes

Chapter 4

Ayurvedic treatments for common diseases

Arthritis

Asthma

Hay fever

Hypertension

Low Blood Pressure

Migraine

Diabetes

Hair loss

Conclusion

References

Introduction

UNTIL twenty years ago, only a few people knew the word in the Western world. Since then, public figures and physicians such as Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Vasant Lad and Dr. Robert Svoboda have brought the science of Ayurveda to the attention of the masses where, now, it’s even recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an effective, traditional health treatment.

Today, many people resort to Ayurveda for maintaining good health, boosting stamina, strength and flexibility as well as to reduce stress. Many Western researchers have stepped forward with scientific explanations, establishing how Ayurvedic remedies alongside meditation and yoga can be helpful in tackling diseases such as asthma, high blood pressure and arthritis, helping at the same time ayurvedic remedies to be lift from the definition of myths and superstitions.

Ayurveda is a traditional Indian medicine system that has its genesis in Hinduism. Despite a primeval origin that dates back to 2500 BC-3000 BC, it is still widely practiced in India as well as a number of other countries throughout the world counting millions of followers. Ayurveda is considered to be the oldest holistic healing system known to humans. Unfortunately, not much is known about the definite origin of Ayurveda, apart from the facts that it was first developed by rishis (searchers of the meaning of life) of ancient India and that the knowledge was orally passed down from gurus (spiritual teachers) to their disciples throughout centuries until almost 1500 BC when a more structured and well maintained account of these hundreds of years of knowledge was put into writing by scholars.

The word Ayurveda was derived from the Sanskrit words Ayush (meaning life) and Veda (meaning knowledge of science). Ayurveda can be therefore termed as the “Science of life”.

Uses of Ayurveda

AYURVEDA is used today alongside western medicine in several Indians hospitals, clinics, and private practices, both in remote villages and inner cities. The training in India includes a comprehensive study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnostic systems and treatments. Students must undergo a lengthy 5-year post-graduate degree (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) before eventually emerging as a qualified Ayurvedic physician.

The prime objective of Ayurveda is to diagnose and remedy various diseases and other health issues by integrating herbal medicines with hygiene, nutrition and rejuvenation. In other words, the basic goal of Ayurveda is to maintain as well as to promote a healthy life by preventing physical, psychological and spiritual maladies using natural treatments.

Ayurveda tells us that “healthy life” is nothing but a fine equilibrium of the 7 body tissues (dhatus), the 3 biological humors (doshas), a state of happiness of the senses, mind, and the soul as well as a proper digestion. The definition has been cited from Sushruta Samhita [1], one of the key surgical reference in Ayurveda. To accomplish this objective of ensuring a healthy and healthy life, Ayurveda solely relies on natural medicines, good nutrition, personal hygiene and a disciplined lifestyle.

The wide range of diagnosis and remedial methods in Ayurveda embrace the use of plants and their products as well as animal products. Depending upon the type of the disease, sometimes minerals and metals with medicinal properties are also used. Apart from medicines and surgeries, Ayurveda also includes techniques such as meditation, yoga, massages, proper dietary practices.

The Basic principles and techniques used in Ayurveda

CONTRARY to the common misconceptions that surround it, Ayurveda approaches its goal of ensuring a healthy life solely on the ground of science.

Since the 8th century, when the Asthang Hridayam was written, Ayurveda has been divided into eight distinct disciplines, each specializing in different genres:

• Psychology (Bhuta Vidya): It is the science of studying, diagnosing and treating various psychological disorders.

• Toxicology (Agada tantra): As the name itself suggests, it is the study of the effects of toxins on the human body. For example, treatment for food poisoning and snake biting falls into this category.

• Internal Medicine (Kayachikitsa): It is the study of the human anatomy and various diseases affecting the internal organs.

• Rejuvenation (Rasayana): The discipline that deals with the study of chemical components and plants in order to utilize their medical properties for anti-aging and rejuvenation purposes.

• Healthcare for children (Kaumara Bhritya): The discipline that mainly focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of various behavioral, psychological and health related issues affecting children.

• Gynecology (Vajikarana): Vajikarana is equivalent to the Western sciences of fertility and gynecology together stand for.

• Surgery (Shalya tantra): It is the discipline that diagnoses and treats various internal dysfunctions of the human body through surgical procedures.

• Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology (Shalakya tantra): It is the equivalent to the modern day ENT. It also deals with the remedies to various problems that may affect the neck and the head.

Diagnosis

BESIDES these eight distinct divisions, Ayurveda also borrowed various elements from Yoga and Jyotish Vidya (Astrology) in order to explain the healing process through maintaining a fine balance among the 3 dosha (humors) of the human body.

This is the core objective that emerges in all ayurvedic practices carried forward in virtually all types of techniques used in each diagnosis. It begins with Naadi vishleshan, the process of monitoring the pulse of the diseased. Naadi vishleshan is meant to give a detailed account of the type of the disease as well as the imbalance of the humors affecting the patient. The diagnosis continues then with the study of certain vital points in the body known as Marma. These points can be found all over the human body and when pressed, they will instantly excite the corresponding related organs. There are more than 15 other techniques for examining and diagnosing the human body and most of them have been depicted in the Charaka Samhita, an ancient Ayurvedic text on internal medicine, written sometime during the 3rd to 2nd century BC.

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