Arguably the oldest medical system in the world, Ayurveda focuses on the integration, harmonization and balance of all aspects of the body, mind and spirit. Originating in India between 4000 B.C. and 1500 B.C., Ayurveda remains one of India’s primary health care systems. Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur, meaning life, and veda, meaning science or knowledge, and is therefore, known as the “science of life”.
We owe the widely embraced practices of yoga and mindful meditation to Ayurvedic medicine.
Ayurvedic medicine emphasizes the unique physical and emotional makeup of each individual, their primary life force, and the balance between these elements. Hence, treatments are individualized, and are designed not only to restore balance and harmony within the mind, body and spirit, but also to align the individual with the infinite organizing power of nature.
There are treatments offered by the 15,000 medicinal plants known to Ayurveda. Moreover, because Ayurveda is a holistic lifestyle system, individuals also benefit from healthy lifestyle changes.
For example, there is an abundance of research demonstrating the positive effects of daily exercise. Yoga in particular has been shown to increase cognitive function, academic performance, self-regulation, mindfulness, self-esteem, physical conditioning, and balance, while reducing pain, disability, depression, anxiety, and stress. There is also a substantial amount of research demonstrating the positive effects of mindfulness meditation, such as improved sleep quality and duration, chronic pain, cognitive functioning, and emotional regulation, as well as reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. While more research on Ayurvedic medicine is required, studies have found Ayurvedic treatments to be effective in treating:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Cognitive dysregulation
- Digestive disorders
- Pulmonary disorders
- Inflammatory disorders
- Hormonal disorder
- Autoimmune disorders
- Arthritis
- Chronic pain
- Allergies and Asthma
- Menopausal symptoms
- High blood pressure and cholesterol
- Diabetes
Below you will find some of our frequently asked questions about Ayurvedic Medicine. If your question is not answered, please feel free to contact us!
There are a number of licensed designations associated with registered Ayurvedic practitioners, such as the DNM® (specialty Ayurveda), Registered Naturotherapy Practitioner® (specialty Ayurveda), Registered Lifestyle Management Practitioner® (specialty Ayurveda), and Registered Nutritional Medicine Practitioner® (specialty Ayurveda).
Ayurvedic medicine and practices, such as yoga, meditation and massage, are generally considered safe. However, some products may contain herbs, minerals, or metals that can be harmful, interact with conventional medicines, or cause adverse side effects. To avoid these complications, consult a health professional prior to using ayurvedic medicines.
Studies have examined Ayurvedic medicine, including herbal products, for specific conditions. However, there aren’t enough well-controlled clinical trials and systematic research reviews—the gold standard for Western medical research—to prove that the approaches are beneficial.
Arguably the oldest medical system in the world, Ayurveda focuses on the integration, harmonization and balance of all aspects of the body, mind and spirit. Originating in India between 4000 B.C. and 1500 B.C., Ayurveda remains one of India’s primary health care systems. Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur, meaning life, and veda, meaning science or knowledge, and is therefore, known as the “science of life”.
We owe the widely embraced practices of yoga and mindful meditation to Ayurvedic medicine.
The basic principles and theories of modern Ayurvedic medicine come from three ancient books written in Sanskrit known as the Brhattrayi, or the Great Trilogy — Caraka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Astanga Hridaya.
They teach universal interconnectedness incorporating body, mind and spirit: Ayurvedic philosophy states that the mind and body are interconnected, interactive and inseparable, and therefore, every event that occurs in the mind creates a corresponding manifestation in the body.
A key principle of Ayurveda is that the undernourishment and/or overindulgence in any of these areas create imbalance, leading to disorder and disease. Likewise, Ayurveda holds that the mind has the power to heal and transform the body, and to promote health, happiness, vitality, wellbeing and longevity by expanding one’s awareness and creating balance within the mind, body, and spirit.
The principle of balance applies to sleep, as well as to diet (which according to Ayurvedic teachings should include the six Ayurvedic tastes of sweet, salty, sour, pungent, bitter, and astringent in each meal), each of which are considered to be basic pillars of life. Additionally, exercise (such as yoga) and meditation are maintained as daily practices. Ayurveda incorporates these customs, as well as the use of herbs, spices, minerals, aromatherapy and massage to eliminate the cause of disease, restore balance, and prevent the reoccurrence of imbalance.
Another key concept of Ayurveda is prakriti. Literally translated as “essential nature”, it refers to one’s individual constitution, and is determined by a unique combination of three doshas, or energies – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Doshas govern the flow of intelligence through the mind-body connection, affecting physiology, health, and wellbeing. Hence, an imbalance in the doshas is believed to cause disorder and disease, whereas balance promotes connection with one’s inner wisdom, leading to optimal human potential.
Additionally, according to Ayurvedic teachings, there are five mahabhutas, or master elements, that make up the universe, give it structure, and create the animate, as well as inanimate material world – these elements are space, air, fire, water, and earth.
“Space” suggests infinite possibilities, and “air” is associated with movement and change. “Fire” is the heat energy, and considered to be a transformational force, whereas “water” is associated with cohesion, attraction and protection. Finally, “earth” is associated with solid, grounding and stable forces.
Two mahabhutas are associated with, and govern, each dosha. Space and air govern Vata dosha, believed to be the most powerful of the three doshas, and said to control basic body functions. Fire and water govern Pitta dosha, which is associated with digestion, metabolism and some hormones, and water and earth govern Kapha dosha, which is believed to control muscle growth, body strength and stability, weight, and the immune system.
Ayurvedic medicine emphasizes the unique physical and emotional makeup of each individual, their primary life force, and the balance between these elements. Hence, treatments are individualized, and are designed not only to restore balance and harmony within the mind, body and spirit, but also to align the individual with the infinite organizing power of nature.
There are treatments offered by the 15,000 medicinal plants known to Ayurveda. Moreover, because Ayurveda is a holistic lifestyle system, individuals also benefit from healthy lifestyle changes.
