Ayurveda - The Science of Life

Ayurveda is a more than 6,000 year old comprehensive system of medicine based on a holistic approach rooted in Vedic culture. Ayurveda, from India, may be the world's oldest intact system of healing, dating from between 3000 and 2000 BC.

"Prevention is better than cure" - is the principle followed by Ayurveda. Ayurveda in Sanskrit means "The science of Life". Ayurveda is a holistic healing science which comprises of two words, Ayu and Veda. Ayu means life and Veda means knowledge or science. So the literal meaning of the word Ayurveda is the science of life.

As mentioned above Ayurveda is a science of life so to know more about it, we must know what is life? Life according to Ayurveda is a combination of senses, mind, body and soul. So it is clear from this definition of life that Ayurveda is not only limited to body or physical symptoms but also gives a comprehensive knowledge about spiritual, mental and social health.

It is an ancient, unfailing system of treatment based on medicines prepared from herbal plants found in abundance in India. Ayurveda is an integral part of the people of India. This ancient knowledge system of medicine has gained global acceptance especially for alternative ways of preventive, curative and rejuvenate processes making life a more pleasurable experience. This has a holistic approach and it helps maintain the balance of the physiological systems and plays a vital role in preventing diseases and revitalizing the entire life system body, mind and soul.

Basic Principles of Ayurvedic Science :

According to the Ayurveda, some of the popular "health foods" of today are not actually good for your health at all. Western "health food" advocates generally prescribes the same kind of food for everyone. However, according to the Ayurveda the con situation of your body determines what food is good for you. There are five elements which constitutes the bodily make up: air, fire, water, earth & eather. Basically there are three kinds of people, depending on which elements are predominating:

Air - People (Vata): Generally underweight, skinny, with thin bone structure. Philosophical, loves traveling, emotional, sentimental and artistic. Prone to rheumatic pains, heaviness, gas, rough skin, weak digestion and nervousness.

Fire - People (Pitta): Moderate in weight, with strong bone structure. Technical, sportive, intelligent, energetic, hard working, tendency for leadership. Prone to allergies, skin diseases, headache, acidity, etc.

WATER & EARTH People (Kapha): Generally overweight, heavy, with thick bone structure. Business minded, very creative, diplomatic, quick in money making, tactful. Prone to blood circulatory disorders, heart diseases, muscular pains, mucus, etc.

According to Ayurveda, from birth to death, doshas influence the health status and physical constitution of a man, either positively or negatively. Doshas are the functional intelligences within the body. As soon as life enters into the body, three vital principles emerge which regulate and control the biological functions.

When diet is wrong medicine is of no use.
When diet is correct medicine is of no need.
- Ayurvedic Proverb

The body must be credited with an immense fund of know-how. -Deepak Chopra

The great thing about Ayurveda is that its treatments always yield side benefits, not side effects.”
― Shubhra Krishan, Essential Ayurveda: What It Is and What It Can Do for You