Ayurveda is the branch of medical science that has been practiced for more than 3000 years and deals with holistic treatment. It has developed a tradition of rejuvenating the body by following basic principles that lead to good health and longevity. Totally dependent on the gifts of nature and various natural processes, Ayurveda has been successful in treating all sorts of diseases and physical disorders where conventional treatments have failed.
Ayurvedic Benefits
1. Based on herbal treatments, these provide the required nourishment at the time of treatment and produce no toxic effects.
2. Commonly growing herbs, fruits, seeds have so many curative properties, which common people are not aware of can be unearthed through these Ayurvedic treatments.
3. Ayurveda believes in natural healing and it gives special stress on the spiritual development also, as a healthy mind is equally important to guide a healthy body.
4. Most of the Ayurvedic treatments are simple and can be carried out through simple home remedies, which should be followed with religious regularity and sufficient effort.
Ayurvedic Remedies
Ayurveda follows special remedies apart from the simple home made remedies not only for treating any ailments, but also to detoxify and rejuvenate the body system. These are Panchakarma, Marma Chikitsa and Dhara or an Ayurvedic diet that endeavors the body to maintain the balance of the Tridoshas or humor. According to Ayurveda, our body is made up of five essential elements like fire, air, water, earth and ether which are present in different compositions like Vata ( air, ether), Pitta (fire) and Kapha( earth and water). Vata , Pitta and Kapha constitute the Tridoshas followed by Ayurveda.
Panchakarma
This remedy mainly deals with the detoxification or cleansing of the accumulated wastes from the body which has been build up due to unhealthy life style and which very often are the main causative factors of many serious diseases.
This involves the cleansing of intestines, colon through induced vomiting, purgation and application of enema. Cleansing is also done through nose, blood- letting to detoxify the body.
Poorvakarma is followed before Panchakarma, which involves application of medicated oils (snehana) internally and externally followed by sweating (swedana).
Diet forms an important part of ayurvedic treatment which varies according to the nature of the disorder and the body system. Some strict eating rules are followed so as to prevent the mixing up of food items (like taking milk and yoghurt at the same time) that require different digestive processes.
Practicing yoga postures also plays a vital role in Ayurvedic remedy.
Marmachikitsa (Vital points)
This is quite a different aspect of Ayurvedic treatment, which involves application of pressure or insertion of needles in the vital points (marma) of the body to direct the energy flow in different channels.
Dhara (Oil)
Oils like sesame oil and ghee are extensively used in Ayurvedic treatments, which are often administered through nose or mouth.
