Ayurveda

Āyurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine was designed with a rationale logical foundation to deliver multidimensional total health. The history of Āyurveda goes back to its delivery from the lord Bramha in an oral form to the enlightened Sages with the purpose to help humanity live a healthy and fruitful life. The knowledge of Āyurveda descended from lord Bramha was transmitted further from generations to generations in the form of Gurushishya Parampara till the last written scripture. Albeit the mythological origin of Āyurveda, it has been transferred and evolved as the main system of medicine in India till the invasions of other cultures followed by colonization for many decades. Irrespective of so many years of influences it has survived as a distinct entity from remote antiquity to the present day.

Ayurveda is all about maintaining the equilibrium of the three bio energies Vata- Pitta- Kapha which is in specific proportion from your birth defining your body and mind constitution. Vata- Pitta- Kapha is representing the state of five elements which is the structural unit of everything which is existing in the universe.

From the 6th Century BC to 7th Century AD there was systematic development of the science in which numbers of classical works were produced by Sages and Rishis who were authorities in the subject of Āyurveda. During this period there is evidence of Āyurveda being practiced as the main organized medical care system. Gradually it was included in the curriculum as a compulsory part of education in all other streams of education in the universities. This was considered as necessary knowledge for everybody to remain healthy and successfully achieve the goals of life. Thus the knowledge of self-care was made available to every body and was practiced from generations in the Indian homes starting from healthy lifestyle guidance and seasonal care to simple use of spices in the kitchens as remedies of grandma.

The fundamentals on which the Āyurvedic system is based are essentially true and applicable to any time of human existence. Contrary to the concepts and research in modern medicine the concepts of Āyurveda are logical, experimented, standard and hence useful to any geographical part of the world and for any population. Āyurveda believes in equilibrium between living creatures and the universe and emphasizes the importance of the endogenous and exogenous imbalances that causes disease.

Āyurveda is designed to facilitate deep healing for body, mind and soul, and its science is well equipped to deliver both preventative as well as therapeutic care. In Āyurveda, disease prevention is not a lesser goal but rather the prime objective. Hencethe various guidelines in daily lifestyle, diet and the seasonal regime is a perfect scientific way of sustenance of good health. The Sanskrit term “Swasthasya Swastharakshanam” refers to the Āyurvedic concept of “protection of health of the healthy” which is the foremost objective of Āyurveda and the secondary goal is treating the disease i.e. “Aturasya vikara prashamana cha.”

The great Āyurvedic sages had not restricted this health protocol for individual but also applicable for the society and the nation as a whole. Hence, specialized guidelines are given to be followed by the community to maintain good health of the whole society. This includes methods of purifying air, water, soil, disposal of excreta and dead bodies, prevention of infectious epidemic diseases and many other public health guidelines.

The future of health care will be integration of the best of traditional and conventional systems of medicine. The past few years of experience has made it very clear that only one system of medicine will not be able to prevent and cure the modern diseases. Each system of medicine has their own strength and weakness which can be best overcome and complemented by integrating the best of each system. Delivering the most suitable and beneficial system for that condition or stage of disease would be the aim for future health care.