What is Ayurvedic Medicine?

Last updated: July 17, 2023

The Ayurvedic medicine, also known as Ayurveda, is one of the oldest holistic healing methods in the world. It started being used more than 3000 years ago in India.

Ayurveda is based on the belief that health and well-being depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and soul. Its main goal is to promote good health and habits rather than fighting diseases. However, Ayurvedic treatments can also target specific health problems.

Ayurveda is considered a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) worldwide. You can learn more about complementary and alternative medicines here.

The History of Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurveda deals with the principles of a healthy lifestyle, and its name means “the teaching of life.”

It originated from the sacred scriptures of India called the Vedas and was born as an expression of the enlightenment of the sages (rishis).

The first mention of Ayurvedic healing can be found in the Charaka Samhita from the 1st century.

The second writing, the Sushruta Samhita, focuses on Ayurvedic surgery and was created about 100 years after the first mention.

The third and most important Ayurvedic text, the Ashtanga Hridayam, is estimated to date back to the 7th century and summarizes the first two works.

Around the 5th century AD, Ayurvedic medicine spread to every known part of the world (China, Tibet, Persia, Arabia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome). In these countries, Ayurveda blended with local traditions and medical practices, leading to the emergence of precursor medical schools. It should be noted that at that time, modern medicine and scientific knowledge as we know it today did not exist. It was more an effort to understand diseases and their treatment using the available tools and knowledge.

Ayurveda and Life Energy

Followers of Ayurveda believe that everything in the universe, whether living or non-living, is interconnected. When the mind, body, and soul are in harmony with the universe, we are healthy. If something disrupts this balance, we become ill. The balance can be disturbed by factors such as genetic predisposition, accidents, climate and seasonal changes, age, and mental state.

According to Ayurveda practitioners, every human being is composed of five basic elements found in the universe: ether (space), air, fire, water, and earth.

When these elements combine within the human body, they form three life forces or energies called doshas. These energies govern the body’s functions.

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The Causes of Illness According to Ayurvedic Medicine

Health is when our bodies are balanced and working properly. Immunity is like a body’s defense system that helps maintain this balance. When something in our bodies changes, it can disrupt the balance and lead to different illnesses, according to Ayurveda, an ancient medical system from India.

Ayurvedic Treatment

During Ayurvedic treatment, the doctor considers a person’s unique physical and emotional characteristics, their primary life force, and the balance among three elements mentioned here.

Ayurveda aims to discover the nature of an illness and determine its true cause. It focuses on factors such as poor diet, lifestyle, genetics, stress, negative thinking, and emotional and energetic balance.

Lifestyle Changes

Making changes in our lifestyle, avoiding unhealthy habits, eating nutritious food, and using herbs or natural dietary supplements, like the ones found here, can sometimes help prevent and treat health problems and illnesses.

When it comes to medical treatment for respiratory, skin, cardiovascular, digestive, and nutrient absorption problems, migraines, obesity, gynecological issues, musculoskeletal disorders, insomnia, fatigue, and stress-related complaints, it’s important to support the body’s natural functioning. This support can be provided by consuming herbal extracts and vitamins from natural sources.

Panchakarma

The primary goal of Ayurvedic treatment is to cleanse the body of undigested food that can remain and lead to illness. This cleansing process is called “panchakarma” and aims to improve the symptoms of illness and restore balance and harmony to the body.

The cleansing process focuses on purifying the blood using herbs, plant extracts, massages, oils made from plant extracts, as well as natural enemas or laxatives.

Ayurveda followers emphasize prevention and a healthy lifestyle. It’s much easier to treat diseases in their early stages than in advanced stages. Ayurveda believes that most diseases originate from an unhealthy lifestyle. Therefore, many Ayurvedic therapies focus on healthy eating and natural supplements. An important factor in Ayurveda is a person’s determination to change their life and replace bad habits and stereotypes with a healthy lifestyle.

Should We Believe in Ayurvedic Books?

There are government-recognized Ayurvedic schools in several countries worldwide. However, there is currently no internationally accepted standardized training or certification program for those who wish to practice this alternative therapy.

Ayurveda primarily focuses on observing the patient and creating balance in life energy. Looking back in history, when there were no sophisticated diagnostic procedures or genuine treatments, it’s understandable that people relied on the power of nature, herbs, and the harmony of the body and soul.

Nowadays, we have advanced healthcare, medicines, and dietary supplements available to us when we have an illness or an unhealthy lifestyle.

Is Ayurveda Safe?

Ayurvedic practices include yoga and meditation, which are considered 100% safe methods for promoting health, physical and mental vitality.

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What is Ayurvedic Medicine?

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The History of Ayurvedic Medicine