Ayurveda Healing

Ayurveda, "the science of life," is considered the world's most ancient existing medical system. Practiced for 6,000 years, it is even older than traditional Chinese herbalism. Originating on the Indian sub-continent, Ayurveda healing is a holistic legacy that emphasizes body-mind synergy and spiritual health. It is a scientific art for optimizing energy and developing greater powers of awareness as well as for healing. It has been called the first form of preventive medicine.

As in Chinese medicine, Ayurveda believes in universal life energy force, or prana (qi in Chinese). The force is expressed in bi-polar terms, yin-yang in Chinese medicine, and Shiva-shakti in Ayurveda. Diseases, medicinal herbs, diet elements and therapies are also classified as balancing opposites - warm or cold, strong or week, etc. Still widely practiced in India, Ayurveda is enjoying a strong revival in the West.

Its chief aim is longevity and rejuvenative quality of life, by optimizing energy balance and the body's own self-repair mechanisms. Its method of healing seeks mind-body harmony, and relies on detoxification, diet, natural therapies and herbs, depending on body type. An Ayurveda treatment includes music, yoga, herbs, massage, steams, facials and aromatherapy.

Ayurveda is a highly personalized system; each individual's health requirements are seen as unique and ever changing. Healing is accomplished by determining the balance of energy patterns that exist in each person's nature, along with specific imbalances that arise due to time and circumstances, like effects of age, climate or lifestyle.

Ayurveda medicine is much more than just a reaction to dsease using natural remedies. It stresses disease prevention through healthy promoting substances, and addresses emotional, intellectual and spiritual well-being as well as physical health.

The key elements of Ayurveda healing are body typing, herbal therapy, diet and lifestyle.

Body typing according to the tri-dosha is the most fundamental principal of Ayurveda healing. Ayurveda considers that each person is a unique balance of physical, emotional, spiritual and mental traits called doshas, expressed in three great elements - water (kapha), fire (Pitta), and air (Vata). Each dosha regulates functions in the mind-body system, and most people are not just one type, but have elements of each, even though one of the doshas predominates at birth. Changes in the doshas occur with age and season, the interrelting balance of the three dosha forces, and transformations of the three forces by the food, water, sunlight, and air that a person takes in. Disease results when the balance of the dosha ( especially the dominant dosha) is disturbed.

• Vata represents the elements of space and air. Vata controls movement in the body like blood circulation, digestion, breathing, nerve impulses, etc. Vata people are usually taller or shorter than average, are thin and have difficulty holding weight. They tend to run dry and cold, with high activity but low stamina. Digestion and metabolism are average. They are mentally creative, restless, nervous and moody. They are often prone to fear and anxiety. Their greatest strength is quick response and adaptability.
  

• Pitta represents the elements of water and fire, which governs metabolism and biochemical processes, like transforming food, air, and water into the body. Pitta types are usually average height and build, with ruddy, or lustrous complexions. They have strong appetites, good digestion and circulation, and warmer body temperatures than other people. They are intelligent, sharp, aggressive and ambitious. They are prone to anger and irritability. Their strength is courage and fearlessness.
  

• Kapha represents the elements of earth and water. Kapha influences the structure of tissues, muscles, bones, and sinews. Kapha types are usually large-boned and stocky. They put on weight easily, have slow digestion and metabolism, with slow, steady movements and responses. Psychologically they are prone to attachment. There strength is calm, contentment and stability.
  

Herbal therapy is key to the success of Ayurveda healing. Much of its vast herbal legacy has been scientifically validated. The drugs reserpine for hypertension, digitalis for heart stimulation, and aloe vera stem from Ayurveda. Research continues on herbals for tumor reduction, and on Boswellia compounds for arthritis.

The aim is always for body balance. Herbal formulas are prescribed to balance body types, rather than just making use of the properties of the herb. Ayurveda believes that people are prone to diseases corresponding in nature to their predominate element. For example: air-types may suffer from nervousness, pain or bone diseases; fire-types may suffer from fever, infection, and blood disorders; water-types may develop congestive disorders with an excess of water mucus.

Some well-known Ayurvedic herbals you can find in health food stores and online:

• a laxative formula consisting of the fruit of three tropical trees is one of the best aids for restoring the tone of the colon. It is less likely than other herbal laxatives to cause dependency.
  

• "Indian ginseng," is used to reduce anxiety, give strength. Although energizing, ashwagandha also helps promote sleep, calming nerves.
  

• an herbal jelly based on the Amla fruit, the highest natural source of vitamin C, strengthens the blood and counters debility. It is recommended for all types as a general tonic.
  

• an herb with much of the broncho-dilating and thermogenic effects as ephedra, but without the strong heart palpitation effects some people feel with ephedra.
  

Diet is thought to be the primary means of transforming body balance. Ayurveda recommends a highly nutritive, vegetarian diet, including whole grains, beans, cooked vegetables, nuts, and dairy products, with combinations of spices like Indian curries. It does not recommend raw food diets except for short periods of body cleansing. Iced foods and drinks should be avoided. Foods are classified by their effects on the doshas, and diets are tailored to the patient's body type and personal imbalances.

• Vata, air types, need heavier, richer foods with sweet, sour and salty tastes, with nuts, dairy products, grains like wheat and oats, and spices for good digestion.
• Pitta, fire-types need cooling foods with sweet, bitter and astringent tastes, including some raw food, and limiting the amount of salt, spices and sour foods.
• Kapha, water-types do best on a light diet with pungent, bitter and astringent tastes, using lots of spices, and many vegetables, but avoiding sugar, dairy, nuts and oily foods.