January 10, 2009
Ayurveda
By Dr Barri Phatarfod MBBS, FRACGP, Cert. Ayurveda
Brief History
Ayurveda is considered to have originated around 5000 years ago, when India’s great Brahmin sages observed the fundamentals of existence around them. Through intense daily meditations the wise seers were able to recognize the eternal truth within their beings and manifest this in their daily lives. Ayurvedic teachings were recorded as sutras, poetic Sanskrit verses used to teach successive generations of practitioners. Among the first written texts of Ayurveda are details of treatments used as a precursor to many medical disciplines today. Since we have always been influenced by nature’s laws, a form of Ayurveda has been in existence since humans first sought food, shelter and society.
Definition
‘Ayurveda’ (Ayus meaning Life and Veda meaning Knowledge) is a Sanskrit term which literally translates to ‘Knowledge of Life’. In Ayurveda it is considered that ‘Life’ is a combination of mind, body and soul and each of these are equally significant factors in a person’s overall constitution. The philosophy of Ayurveda is that people are so intimately bound to nature, (eating from it, breathing it and bathing in it), that they can’t help but be comprised of its elements: earth, air, fire, water and ether (space). Accordingly, all the subtle energies of these elements are incorporated into our own beings.
Based on Ayurvedic teachings, disease occurs when any of these five elements are out of balance. When seeking a cure the Ayurvedic practitioner will need to look again to these elements to find a remedy. As all creatures instinctively utilise the laws of nature to maintain health within themselves, in Ayurveda is it the same for humans. Ayurveda is a system that uses the principles of nature to bring the individual back into balance with their true self and ultimately bring total health to body, mind, and soul.
How it Works
The elements in the universe – earth, air, fire, water and ether – combine to form three distinct body energies or doshas known by their Sanskrit names of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Most of us are comprised of all three of these doshas, usually with one or two being more predominant: it is these predominant doshas which determines an individual’s body type. Through this body typing the Ayurvedic practitioner can work to bring balance and health to the individual.
Vata is formed from Air and Ether. Like these elements, Vata is light, dry and cool. People with a predominantly Vata disposition are usually quick thinkers, artistic, with a rapid flow of ideas. An excess of this Vata can result in insomnia, anxiety and phobias.
Pitta is formed from Fire – hot, dry and light. People with a pitta constitution are often focused and ambitious. An excess of pitta can manifest as gastric ulcers, skin rashes and aggression.
Kapha is formed from Water and Earth, providing your body with coolness, moisture and heaviness. Kapha people are often warm, caring and are good team players: an imbalance can result in excess weight, depression and greed. The balance between the three doshas is unique to every person and also does not stay constant even in the same person during his or her life. Consequently, two people may appear to have the same outward symptoms, but their doshic balance may be quite different and therefore call for very different remedies. Rectifying the ailment, physical or emotional, can be achieved by compensating for the dosha that is out of balance using herbs, diet, lifestyle changes and body therapies.
It is very common for the suggested therapy to instinctively feel right to the person being treated. A desire for sweet substances is an example of maintaining a person’s nurturing Kapha at a time of stress and vulnerability. A cool dip in the water is a perfect remedy for the overly Pitta effects of alcohol or work stress.
Being non-invasive, Ayurveda can be applied concurrently with your existing treatments. Arthritis sufferers for example, may be taking various supplements from their general practitioners, naturopaths or Chinese herbalists. By making minor changes to the diet – such as removing the Vata producing foods (e.g. spinach, chickpeas or dried fruit), reducing excessive air travel and regularly massaging the joints with sesame oil, lesser amounts of any supplements will be needed, with ultimately the need for any external products gone.
Similarly in asthma, fresh ginger steeped in hot water and the use of spices such as black pepper alleviates the heavy Kapha dosha during a bout of asthma. Regular Ayurvedic treatments and diet changes will also dramatically reduce repeated attacks.
Common conditions enjoying great success from being treated with Ayurveda include insomnia, heartburn, chronic fatigue and weight gain. Ayurveda can be used not just to treat existing conditions, but also to predict future illness patterns and to take gentle preventive steps to avert problems.
What to Expect During a Treatment
Ayurvedic practitioners, like other doctors, often specialise in one area or another and may offer different treatments. A thorough initial consultation is important. Your practitioner may have you fill in a questionnaire, or ask you questions to help
determine your predominant dosha. Some practitioners determine dosha by taking your pulse. Very often your presenting complaint will provide a clue, as a person’s predominant dosha is the one most readily disrupted. Once the imbalance is identified, your practitioner will guide you to the diet and lifestyle changes recommended to relieve the condition. This can also include dry or medicated oil massage, steam and other external therapies. Many yoga postures are also beneficial to address doshic imbalances and treat ailments. Panchakarma, a complete detoxification process, uses several traditional methods to eliminate excess dosha from the body.
It’s important to understand that doshas are not negative or positive attributes, but are neutral. Recognising your predominant dosha and adjusting your lifestyle has great benefits to maximising potential in all aspects of your life. Ayurveda is not just a healing system: it is an awareness of how to live life in tune with the world around us.
Brief History
Ayurveda is considered to have originated around 5000 years ago, when India’s great Brahmin sages observed the fundamentals of existence around them. Through intense daily meditations the wise seers were able to recognize the eternal truth within their beings and manifest this in their daily lives. Ayurvedic teachings were recorded as sutras, poetic Sanskrit verses used to teach successive generations of practitioners. Among the first written texts of Ayurveda are details of treatments used as a precursor to many medical disciplines today. Since we have always been influenced by nature’s laws, a form of Ayurveda has been in existence since humans first sought food, shelter and society.
Definition
‘Ayurveda’ (Ayus meaning Life and Veda meaning Knowledge) is a Sanskrit term which literally translates to ‘Knowledge of Life’. In Ayurveda it is considered that ‘Life’ is a combination of mind, body and soul and each of these are equally significant factors in a person’s overall constitution. The philosophy of Ayurveda is that people are so intimately bound to nature, (eating from it, breathing it and bathing in it), that they can’t help but be comprised of its elements: earth, air, fire, water and ether (space). Accordingly, all the subtle energies of these elements are incorporated into our own beings.
Based on Ayurvedic teachings, disease occurs when any of these five elements are out of balance. When seeking a cure the Ayurvedic practitioner will need to look again to these elements to find a remedy. As all creatures instinctively utilise the laws of nature to maintain health within themselves, in Ayurveda is it the same for humans. Ayurveda is a system that uses the principles of nature to bring the individual back into balance with their true self and ultimately bring total health to body, mind, and soul.
How it Works
The elements in the universe – earth, air, fire, water and ether – combine to form three distinct body energies or doshas known by their Sanskrit names of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Most of us are comprised of all three of these doshas, usually with one or two being more predominant: it is these predominant doshas which determines an individual’s body type. Through this body typing the Ayurvedic practitioner can work to bring balance and health to the individual.
Vata is formed from Air and Ether. Like these elements, Vata is light, dry and cool. People with a predominantly Vata disposition are usually quick thinkers, artistic, with a rapid flow of ideas. An excess of this Vata can result in insomnia, anxiety and phobias.
Pitta is formed from Fire – hot, dry and light. People with a pitta constitution are often focused and ambitious. An excess of pitta can manifest as gastric ulcers, skin rashes and aggression.
Kapha is formed from Water and Earth, providing your body with coolness, moisture and heaviness. Kapha people are often warm, caring and are good team players: an imbalance can result in excess weight, depression and greed. The balance between the three doshas is unique to every person and also does not stay constant even in the same person during his or her life. Consequently, two people may appear to have the same outward symptoms, but their doshic balance may be quite different and therefore call for very different remedies. Rectifying the ailment, physical or emotional, can be achieved by compensating for the dosha that is out of balance using herbs, diet, lifestyle changes and body therapies.
It is very common for the suggested therapy to instinctively feel right to the person being treated. A desire for sweet substances is an example of maintaining a person’s nurturing Kapha at a time of stress and vulnerability. A cool dip in the water is a perfect remedy for the overly Pitta effects of alcohol or work stress.
Being non-invasive, Ayurveda can be applied concurrently with your existing treatments. Arthritis sufferers for example, may be taking various supplements from their general practitioners, naturopaths or Chinese herbalists. By making minor changes to the diet – such as removing the Vata producing foods (e.g. spinach, chickpeas or dried fruit), reducing excessive air travel and regularly massaging the joints with sesame oil, lesser amounts of any supplements will be needed, with ultimately the need for any external products gone.
Similarly in asthma, fresh ginger steeped in hot water and the use of spices such as black pepper alleviates the heavy Kapha dosha during a bout of asthma. Regular Ayurvedic treatments and diet changes will also dramatically reduce repeated attacks.
Common conditions enjoying great success from being treated with Ayurveda include insomnia, heartburn, chronic fatigue and weight gain. Ayurveda can be used not just to treat existing conditions, but also to predict future illness patterns and to take gentle preventive steps to avert problems.
What to Expect During a Treatment
Ayurvedic practitioners, like other doctors, often specialise in one area or another and may offer different treatments. A thorough initial consultation is important. Your practitioner may have you fill in a questionnaire, or ask you questions to help
determine your predominant dosha. Some practitioners determine dosha by taking your pulse. Very often your presenting complaint will provide a clue, as a person’s predominant dosha is the one most readily disrupted. Once the imbalance is identified, your practitioner will guide you to the diet and lifestyle changes recommended to relieve the condition. This can also include dry or medicated oil massage, steam and other external therapies. Many yoga postures are also beneficial to address doshic imbalances and treat ailments. Panchakarma, a complete detoxification process, uses several traditional methods to eliminate excess dosha from the body.
It’s important to understand that doshas are not negative or positive attributes, but are neutral. Recognising your predominant dosha and adjusting your lifestyle has great benefits to maximising potential in all aspects of your life. Ayurveda is not just a healing system: it is an awareness of how to live life in tune with the world around us.
