Ayurveda is an ancient Indian teaching on the harmony of soul and body, combining philosophical and scientific ideas. Ayurvedic principles have influenced many religions; they are successfully applied in medicine, mental practices, and self-improvement systems.
The origins and principles of teaching
The exact time of the origin of Ayurveda is unknown. Certain moments, consonant with modern teaching, are found in ancient Indian treatises, mentions are found in works on medicine and philosophy. Some scholars believe that Ayurveda has been developing for about 5 thousand years and that it is the basis of Chinese and Tibetan traditional medicine.
The essence of Ayurveda is a combination of scientific knowledge and the ancient philosophical system of sankhya. Today, the teaching is practiced not only in India, but also in Nepal, Indonesia, Myanmar and some other countries. Ayurvedic elements are the basis of some religious teachings, they are professed by Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains.
Translated from Sanskrit, "Ayurveda" means "the science of longevity and life." However, this is not at all a collection of estranged theories. Ayurvedic principles are quite applicable in everyday life, some branches of medicine, cosmetology, and proper nutrition are based on them.
The main directions of the system are simplicity, harmony between man and nature, gaining mental and physical peace. The doctrine conveys the idea that the meaning of life is an endless path to self-knowledge and self-improvement, the crown of which should be the harmony of internal and external. At the same time, Ayurveda is not inclined to impose its principles; they can be used in the dose and interpretation that is necessary. It is this concept of conformism that makes teaching popular in modern life. Ayurvelic ideas can be used by a person who belongs to any faith or is completely far from religion.
Medicine as the basis of teaching
Achieving mental harmony is unthinkable without improving physical health. That is why in Ayurvedic teaching, great importance is given to medicine. Indian scientific treatises distinguish 8 main areas devoted to specific sections of medicine:
- Kaumara Bhriya. It covers a wide range of pediatrics, from pregnancy and breastfeeding to the recovery and upbringing of children of various ages.
- Kaya Chikitsa. From the point of view of Ayurvedic medicine is considered the main section. Dedicated to the treatment of ailments that do not have a connection with a specific organ of the body: diabetes, hysteria, anemia.
- Shalakya Tantra. A narrower section deals exclusively with eye diseases.
- Shalya Tantra. Includes all issues related to obstetrics and surgery.
- Agada Tantra. A very relevant topic in ancient times, devoted to the removal of various poisons from the body. Today, this section can deal not only with the bites of poisonous creatures, but also with chemical intoxication.
- Vajikarana Tantra. It solves the issues of infertility, impotence and other problems in the field of reproduction.
- Bhutavidya. In ancient times, this sphere was related to witchcraft and its effect on humans. In modern treatises, questions of various psychological techniques, for example, hypnosis, are studied.
- Rasayana Tantra. A section on longevity.
In India, Ayurvedic doctors are called upadhi. Most doctors deal with only one branch of medicine, but there are universal specialists who can determine the main problem of a particular patient.
From the point of view of Ayurveda, 5 primary elements (panchamahabhut) influence the mental and physical condition of a person:
- water;
- land;
- Fire;
- air;
- ether.
Japa (water) controls all the fluids in the body, prithvi (earth) is responsible for the solid elements: bones, teeth. The sphere of influence of vaya or air is the state of mind of a person and his general well-being. Akasha or ether governs all the internal organs of a person: heart, liver, kidneys, circulatory system. Agni (fire) is responsible for the production of certain enzymes, such as bile or gastric juice.
For the body to function correctly, a balance of the elements is necessary. From the point of view of Ayurveda, the predominance of one element to the detriment of others can provoke diseases, mental or physical. The task of Ayurvedic medicine is to balance the balance, supporting the underdeveloped element and lowering the level of that which is in excess.
Ayurveda: Theory of Three Doshas
According to the doctrine, the five primary elements are combined into basic energies, called doshas:
- pita (fire and water);
- vata (air and ether);
- kapha (earth and water).
Ayurveda teaches that one or another dosha prevails in the human body, and this balance can be determined by studying the patient’s appearance. The treatises indicate 7 types of bodily constitution. Tridosha is considered the most perfect - the perfect balance of all elements. A natural constitution of this type is rare, the task of upadhi is to bring a person to an ideal.
Studying a person and accurately determining the prevailing elements helps the doctor to accurately determine the cause of the disease, which is in the initial stage and to start treatment in a timely manner.
Physical assessment is not the only basis for learning. The state of man is influenced by the Huns, the energies of the mind. Ayurvedists distinguish 3 main gunas:
- sattva (kindness, beauty, compassion);
- rajas (aggression, passion, indefatigable energy);
- tamas (ignorance, laziness, depression, negativity).
The prevailing guna has a significant effect not only on character but also on the physical condition of a person and is often a provoking factor for serious ailments. Accurate determination of the prevailing doshas and Huns allows you to correctly determine the diagnosis and recommend a treatment or rehabilitation program.
Diagnosis and treatment
A doctor adhering to Ayurvedic methods operates according to a pre-compiled program. It includes:
- listening to the pulse;
- urine and feces examination;
- language learning;
- analysis of voice and breathing (volume, intensity, timbre);
- palpation (palpation of various organs, especially the abdominal cavity);
- general analysis of the appearance of the patient;
- eye analysis.
The doctor conducts all studies without additional devices, focusing only on his own feelings and experience. After diagnosis, treatment is prescribed.
The basis of recovery is proper nutrition. In Ayurvedic treatises, the idea develops that it is food that can affect the health and quality of life of a person, and health and longevity depend on it.
Using the right food can balance the energy of the doshas. It is believed that certain foods and dishes are able to activate a particular energy. It also matters the time of eating, its temperature, quantity, the right combination. Spices, which are given special importance in Ayurveda, can change the ratio of the elements.
In addition to the nutrition program, medicinal products of natural origin based on herbs are included in the treatment system. Ayurveda teaches that synthetic drugs accumulate in the organs and, over time, provoke serious health problems. Doctors who adhere to Ayurvedic principles do not even use synthesized vitamin complexes and select natural analogues of all known medicinal components. Traditional cosmetology meets the same rules. Natural cosmetics without synthetic preservatives, created by Ayurvedic techniques, are popular all over the world and are produced not only in India, but also in other countries.
In medical practices include external work with the body: massage, yoga, exposure to biologically active points. Meditation is very important, allowing you to achieve physical and mental harmony.
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