Ayurveda, a Life-Science

When you hear the word ‘Ayurveda’ , a number of herbs  and other medicines  comes to your mind. However Ayurveda is more than that. It is a Life Science, a Lifestyle. Ayurveda not only deals with curing diseases, it also lays a lot of emphasis on preventing them as well through specifically tailored life regimens in accordance with every season…. every day.

Ayurveda, specifically charts out a daily routines ,  from the time you wake up- regarding attending to natural urges, brushing your teeth , oiling, exercise, bathing, food types, as well as other things so as to maintain your health and prevent diseases. It also lays down moral values so as to maintain your mental health as well. WHO defines Health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Many times this mental aspect of health had been overlooked. But Ayurveda acharyas had a very long back itself understood  the role of mind in many diseases, and thus  had laid great emphasis on treating the mental aspect  also along with the diseases of the body

Ayurveda also specifies Ritucarya (seasonal regimens to be followed) in which various precautions as well as remedies are presented so as to overcome the troubles of a during season changes. This is because as we are part of an ecosystem, a change in the nature can affect our health also. 

Then there is a detailed description of cereals, vegetables, fruits, meat, water, milk, juices, oils ,minerals, etc and  pathya-apathyas (regarding compatible and incompatible food), which helps to tailor our diet according to our body constitution or disease condition.

Only after explaining all these life sustaining basics, Ayurveda details the treatment of diseases. The treatment aspect is divided into eight branches by Ayurveda acharyas which are - Kayacikitsa( ~deals with general diseases like fever, cough, diarrhea etc.), Bala cikitsa (~ Paediatrics), Graha/ Bhuta vidya (deals with treating epilepsy, insanity, other psychic disorders), Salakya cikitsa (deals with Eyes, Ear, Nose, Throat, Head disorders ) , Salyacikitsa ( deals with Surgery and Orthopedics) , Agadatantra(deals with different types of poisons like of snake, spiders. dogs, rats, minerals, plants etc ), Rasayana (~Geriatrics and Rejuvenation), Vajikarana (therapy for begetting good progeny/ and Aphrodisiac treatments). In this aspect the very famous Panchakarma therapies are also explained. Ayurveda also emphasis on non-medicinal treatments like Yoga  for optimum health.

Children are the futures of the society, and their health is a top priority. Ayurveda provides good prospects for begetting good progeny and Infertility management as well as treating disorders of infants and children like Autism, Cerebral Palsy etc.

Many people may dislike the strict regimens prescribed by an Ayurveda doctor. But just think how you will drive your vehicle if it happens to malfunction; rather you will use it slowly with care and take it to a technician and get it repaired. Similarly, such diet and activity regimens allow the body to concentrate totally on healing to provide a better recovery.

Though Ayurveda is an ancient science it deals with and explains about many aspects of life and disease which modern man is finding out now only. Today lifestyle disorders like Obesity, Hypertension, Dyslipidemia, as well as Rheumatic diseases, Low back pain( due to overuse or improper maintainence of the body), Allergies, Skin diseases etc., are on a rise . If people adhere to the regimens explained in Ayurveda many of these diseases can be reduced or prevented.  As the saying says ‘Prevention is Better than Cure’, Ayurveda can contribute a lot in this area of preventing disorders by maintaining a healthy body and mind.

Through this blog we would like to show ways in which the greater prospects of Ayurveda can be imbibed in today’s modern world to maintain a healthy body and mind.