| Ayurveda is a branch of the Vedas. Originated | | | | system and biochemical processesKapha - |
| in ancient India, 'Vedas' means knowledge and | | | | governs the balance of tissue fluid and |
| it there were Vedas written for every aspect | | | | controls the cell growth and the firmness of |
| of life. Ayurveda provides an integrated | | | | the body. Similar to the moon governing the |
| approach to the prevention and treatment of | | | | tides.Specific lifestyle interventions are a |
| illness through lifestyle interventions and a | | | | major preventive and therapeutic approach in |
| wide range of natural therapies. Ayurvedic | | | | Ayurveda as well. Each patient is prescribed |
| theory states that all imbalance and disease | | | | an individualized dietary, eating, sleeping, |
| in the body begin with imbalance or stress in | | | | and exercise program depending on his or her |
| the awareness, or consciousness, of the | | | | constitutional type and the nature of the |
| individual. This mental stress leads to | | | | underlying dosha imbalance at the source of |
| unhealthy lifestyles, which further promote | | | | the illness.The Ayurvedic practitioner uses a |
| ill health. Therefore, mental techniques such | | | | variety of precise body postures, all derived |
| as meditation are considered essential to the | | | | from the age-old discipline of yoga; |
| promotion of healing and to prevention. | | | | breathing exercises; and meditative |
| Artha-Veda unfolds statecraftAyur-Veda sets | | | | techniques. These postures are used to create |
| forth medicine and healthDhanur-Veda | | | | an individualized self-care program to |
| discusses military scienceGandharva-Veda | | | | improve both physical health and personal |
| illumines music and the artsSthapatya-Veda | | | | consciousness. In addition, herbal |
| explains architectureThe Universe, according | | | | preparations are added to the patient's diet |
| to ancient Indian thinking is composed of | | | | for preventive and rejuvenative purposes as |
| five basic elements, namely: Prithivi | | | | well as for the treatment of specific |
| (earth), Apya(water), Teja(fire), Vayu(air) | | | | disorders.In addition to mental factors, |
| and Akash(ether). As the human body is | | | | lifestyle, and dosha imbalance, Ayurveda |
| similarly constituted, there is a fundamental | | | | identifies a fourth major factor in disease: |
| harmony between the universe and man, a | | | | the accumulation of metabolic byproducts and |
| healthy balance between the microcosm and | | | | toxins in the body tissues. Ayurvedic |
| macrocosm. Ayurveda describes all physical | | | | physical therapy, called panchakarma, |
| manifestations of disease as due to the | | | | consists of physical applications, including |
| imbalance of these basic physiological | | | | herbalized oil massage, herbalized heat |
| principles in the body.Ayurveda_2 True | | | | treatments, and elimination therapies (e.g., |
| medicine, according to Ayurveda is one, which | | | | therapies to improve bowel movements), which |
| cures the disease without causing any side | | | | promote internal cleansing and removal of |
| effect. It is in this aspect that Ayurveda | | | | such toxic metabolic wastes. Certain of the |
| enjoys an advantage over the modern system of | | | | agents used in panchakarma therapy are |
| medicine.Health, according to Ayurveda, is | | | | proposed to have free-radical scavenging, or |
| the natural state of all three aspects of | | | | antioxidant, effects.Free radicals are |
| human being i.e. body, mind and the soul | | | | naturally occurring atoms or molecules that |
| (Indriyas, Manas and atma). In addition, | | | | are highly reactive with anything they come |
| effects of yogic postures and breathing on | | | | into contact with. A recently developed |
| finger blood flow showed consistent changes | | | | theory suggests that free radicals play |
| with various breathing practices, changes | | | | important roles in causing a wide range of |
| that were more pronounced in trained yogic | | | | degenerative and chronic disorders, including |
| practitioners. Changes in endocrine hormone | | | | cancer and aging. Thus, substances with |
| measurements also have been associated with | | | | antioxidant properties may be effective in |
| certain Ayurvedic practices.Measurement of | | | | preventing, or even treating, myriad |
| metabolic rate, oxygen exchange, lung | | | | conditions.Ayurveda emphasizes the |
| capacity, and red and white blood cell counts | | | | interdependence of the health of the |
| have been found to be associated with general | | | | individual and the quality of societal life. |
| yogic training and in some cases with | | | | Therefore, measures to ensure the collective |
| specific asanas (posture). When the natural | | | | health of society, such as pollution control, |
| state comes in contact with unhappiness | | | | community hygiene, the collective practice of |
| (Dukhasamayoga) disease result. Ayurveda has | | | | meditation programs, and appropriate living |
| eight distinct- branches :-1. General | | | | conditions, are supported.In addition, |
| medicine | | | | effects of yogic postures and breathing on |
| | | | finger blood flow showed consistent changes |
| 2. Surgery | | | | with various breathing practices, changes |
| | | | that were more pronounced in trained yogic |
| 3. Ear, nose, throat, eye and mouth diseases | | | | practitioners. Changes in endocrine hormone |
| | | | measurements also have been associated with |
| 4. Psychiatry | | | | certain Ayurvedic practices.Measurement of |
| | | | metabolic rate, oxygen exchange, lung |
| 5. Midwifery and pediatrics | | | | capacity, and red and white blood cell counts |
| | | | have been found to be associated with general |
| 6. Toxicology | | | | yogic training and in some cases with |
| | | | specific asanas (posture).Ayurveda has been |
| 7. Rejuvenation and tonics and | | | | known to treat people with various chronic |
| | | | diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, |
| 8. AphrodiasicsIt is because of these eight | | | | asthma, chronic bronchitis, eczema, |
| branches that Ayurveda is known as the | | | | psoriasis, hypertension, constipation, |
| Astanga-ayurveda.Ayurveda describes all | | | | headaches, chronic sinusitis, and |
| physical manifestations of disease as due to | | | | non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus In |
| the imbalance of three basic physiological | | | | addition, published studies have documented |
| principles in the body, called doshas, which | | | | reductions in cardiovascular disease risk |
| are believed to govern all bodily functions. | | | | factors, including blood pressure, |
| Evaluation of these three doshas--vata, | | | | cholesterol, and reaction to stress, in |
| pitta, and kapha--is accomplished primarily | | | | individuals practicing Ayurvedic methods and |
| by feeling the patient's pulse at the radial | | | | have shown improvement in overall health care |
| artery, which is a detailed and systematic | | | | utilization measures among meditators.The |
| technique called nadi vigyan.This evaluation | | | | "technology" of meditative practices has been |
| determines the types of herbs prescribed, and | | | | subjected to studies showing physiological |
| it guides the physician in the application of | | | | changes of heart rate, blood pressure, brain |
| all other ayurvedic therapies.Vata - is | | | | cortex activity, metabolism, respiration, |
| likened to the wind, which is constantly | | | | muscle tension, lactate level, skin |
| moving and hence represents the central | | | | resistance, salivation, and pain and stress |
| nervous system.Pitta - the sun, which is a | | | | responses (improvement), and both negative |
| source of energy. It represents the digestive | | | | and positive behavioral effects. |