Ayurveda
is an ancient science, a traditional holistic health care system, older than any
other system of medicine that has been practiced in India for more than 5,000 years.
Its major premise involves the symbiosis of mind, body and spirit. Any imbalance
in this synthesis results in physical ailments. This ancient Indian medicine seeks
to reestablish the harmony between the body and its habitat by creating optimum
health environment. Its aim is to provide guidance regarding food and lifestyle
so that healthy people can stay healthy and folks with health challenges can improve
their health.
There are several aspects to Ayurveda that are quite unique:
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It is individualistic to
every person regarding foods and lifestyle that should be followed in order to be
completely healthy.
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Diagnosis and prescription
is based on observation, inquiry, direct examination and knowledge derived from
ancient texts.
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It relates to the energetic
forces that influence nature and human beings.
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It understands the strong
connection between the mind and body to tackle the basis of any problem.
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Origin
The science of life, the origin of most forms of natural and alternative medicine
- has its mention in one of the oldest (about 6,000 years) philosophical texts of
the world, the Rig Veda. The Sutrasthana of Charaka Samhita, a much referred ayurvedic
text, says, "The three - body, mind and soul - are like a tripod, the world
stands by their combination; in them everything abides. It is the subject matter
of ayurveda for which the teachings of ayurveda have been revealed."
In the Rig Veda, over 60 preparations were mentioned that could be used to assist
an individual in overcoming various ailments. The Rig Veda was written over 6,000
years ago, but Ayurveda has been around even longer than that.
Ayurveda has a long and revered
history.
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