Ayurveda, which means knowledge of life in Sanskrit, originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. In Sanskrit, the ancient language of Hinduism, Ayur means ( life) and Veda means "knowledge.". Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine that promotes lifestyle interventions and natural therapies to regain balance between the body, mind, spirit and environment.
Ayurvedic treatment begins with a process that cleanses the body, then involves an herbal regimen, massage therapy and yoga
The ideas that everything in the universe is connected, our bodies are made up of five basic elements (known as prakriti), and certain energies or forces control bodily functions form ayurvedic medicine's core philosophy.
Treatment aims to eliminate impurities, reduce symptoms, increase resistance to disease and worry. Herbs and other plants are used extensively for this purpose in Ayurvedic medicine.
In India, Ayurveda is considered a form of medical care as legitimate as conventional Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine. Although Ayurvedic practitioners are trained and certified in India, there is no official licensing process for them here in the United States. However, some states have approved Ayurvedic schools as educational institutions.
Ayurveda’s entire system is based on the understanding of three basic bio-energetic principles, also called “doshas,” and five great elements which make up all organic and inorganic matter.
Ayurveda and Your Life Energy
The three doshas Vata, Pitta and Kaph are directly connected to the five great elements: earth, water, fire, air and ether.
Vata: If this dosha is out of balance, it can cause symptoms such as constipation, dryness and stiffness in joints and muscles. It also leads to overthinking, anxiety and disturbing sleep patterns as well as pulling pain or pain that moves around rather than remaining steady
Kapha: If the doshha is imbalanced, symptoms such as swelling, water retention tumors and stagnant areas may occur. The mind will become dull and heavy; there will be lack of energy with lethargy in both body and thoughts
Pitta: For people with a pitta imbalance, symptoms can include acidity and heartburn; flushing of the skin in various parts of the body such as cheeks or ears; sweating too much for no reason at all (aka spontaneous sweat); nervous tension/irritability; acne breakouts on face or back.
The goal of Ayurveda is to maintain or restore the proper balance between the individual doshas so that diseases do not occur. As Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health, it focuses on the whole person, not just the symptoms. A proper diagnosis of your dosha imbalance is essential to creating an effective treatment plan.
A range of Ayurvedic therapies
Ayurveda is a traditional healing system native to India that uses a range of treatments, including panchakarma (‘five actions’) and yoga among others, to promote health and well-being.
Panchakarma treatments may cause harm if performed by an inexperienced practitioner. It is important to ask a potential therapist about their qualifications and experience before beginning treatment.
Practice of Ayurveda includes:
Dietary changes: consuming foods rich in antioxidants such as fruits and vegetables; avoiding foods high in sugar, salt and fat; reducing caffeine intake; eating more protein for strong bones and healthy joints; consuming fewer processed foods; eating small meals throughout the day to keep hunger at bay
Herbal medicine: combining herbs with metals such as copper to treat inflammation; combining herbs with minerals such as zinc for weight loss; combining herbs with metallic salts like calcium sulfate for osteoporosis symptoms
Acupuncture: placing needles into specific points on acupuncture meridians (energy channels)
Breathing exercises
Yoga.
Is Ayurveda right for you?
Many ancient medical traditions, such as Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, are complex systems with a lengthy history.
Though Ayurvedic medicine has been around for thousands of years, there’s still a lot of research needed before it can be considered a legitimate treatment in Western medical systems.
Ayurveda offers many benefits, such as stress reduction and increased energy. If you are interested in integrating Ayurvedic practices into your life, Dr. Lin recommends seeing an integrative medicine specialist who can help you develop a personalized plan that is right for you.
The following are some of the health benefits that Ayurveda offers related to mind and body.
Health Benefits of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a science of life. It enables you to balance your body, mind and soul. Ayurveda has been proven to be effective in treating various diseases. Here are 7 health benefits of Ayurveda:
1. You Are Encouraged to Love Yourself
Ayurveda teaches you how to love yourself, which is one of the most important aspects of living a healthy lifestyle. When you love yourself, you will be able to make better decisions and feel more confident about them.
Loving yourself is what makes us better people and leads us towards happiness and success in life. You will never feel bad about yourself if you know that everything you do is for your benefit!
2. You Get a Greater Understanding of Your Place in Life
Ayurveda helps us understand our place in this world and all the responsibilities that come with it. We learn that we have a purpose in life and that we have unique talents that no one else possesses.
We also learn who we really are so that we can improve ourselves as individuals on an emotional level by understanding ourselves better through Ayurveda teachings.
3. Toxins in the Body are Reduced
Ayurveda helps to reduce toxins in the body by cleansing and purifying it. This makes us feel lighter, happier and healthier overall.
We eliminate negative emotions like anger, jealousy, fear and worry as well as physical ailments that make us feel bad about ourselves like acne or bloating.
4. You Learn to Clear Up Energy
One of the key principles of Ayurveda is that the mind and body are interconnected. This means that if one is out of balance, it can affect the other. One way to restore balance is through the use of energy clearing techniques.
Energy clearing is a process of releasing stagnant or blocked energy from the body. This can be done through a variety of methods, including yoga, meditation, aromatherapy, and massage.
Ayurvedic practitioners believe that energy clearing can help to improve overall health and wellbeing. It is said to promote relaxation, reduce stress, boost immunity, and increase vitality.
If you are interested in trying energy clearing, there are many resources available to help you get started. You can find books, online courses, and even apps that offer guidance on how to clear your energy.
5. Better Health at a Cellular Level
Recent studies have shown that Ayurvedic medicine can have a positive impact on cellular health. One study found that treatment with an Ayurvedic herbal mixture increased levels of antioxidant enzymes in the liver and kidneys. This suggests that Ayurveda may help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Another study looked at the effects of an Ayurvedic massage therapy called abhyanga. This study found that abhyanga improved blood circulation and reduced inflammation. Inflammation is known to be a major contributing factor to many diseases, so this finding is significant.
6. Stronger Digestion
Ayurveda is said to be beneficial for those with digestive issues. The theory behind this is that Ayurveda helps to cleanse and detoxify the body, which in turn helps to improve digestion.
There are a number of different Ayurvedic treatments and remedies that can be used to help improve digestion, such as massages, dietary changes, and herbal remedies.
Triphala is one of the most popular herbs in Ayurvedic medicine for improving digestion.
7. Reduced Stress and Greater Sense of Well-Being
One of the key benefits of Ayurveda is its ability to help reduce stress and promote a greater sense of well-being.
There are a number of different techniques that can be used in Ayurveda to help reduce stress. These include massage, meditation, and yoga. Massage is a great way to relax the body and mind, and it can also help to improve circulation.
Meditation can help to clear the mind and allow you to focus on the present moment. Yoga is another great way to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
If you are looking for ways to reduce stress and improve your sense of well-being, then consider trying Ayurveda.
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