Alternative Health Articles
 

Ayurvedic Medicine
By Bart Rutherford

Ayurvedic medicine is an Indian medical tradition that has
evolved over thousands of years. At the center of the
tradition are two extensive medical compendiums written in
Sanskrit, which cover topics as far-reaching as toxicology,
surgery, diagnosis and lifestyle. The Ayurvedic tradition
has absorbed the philosophies of Hinduism and Buddhism, and
views the human body as a microcosm affected by five
primordial elements - ether, air, fire, water and earth.
Each of the elements combines to form one of three humors
(doshas); wind (vata), fire (pitta) and water (kapha). Vata
is described as the air necessary to mobilize the nervous
system, where as pitta uses the bile duct to direct
digestion and metabolism in the venous system. Finally,
kapha is the water that relates to mucous and lubrication,
and which is the carrier of nutrients into the arterial
system.

The balance between individual doshas is thought to
determine an individual's constitution and therefore, their
likelihood of suffering from disease. Constitution is also
affected by the strength of "digestive fire" and bowel
function. In Ayurvedic medicine, the body is made up of
seven tissues and their waste products, with a network of
channels circulating fluids and essences around the body.
Health and mental qualities are also determined by the three
universal and interdependent constituents; purity, activity
and solidity. The Ayurvedic tradition believes that disease
occurs when lifestyle, mental factors or external factors
cause an imbalance in one or more of these components.

Ayurvedic practitioners take a thorough, eight step process
to determine the state of balance of the three doshas.
Diagnosis involves examination of the tongue, pulse, voice,
skin, vision, urine, stools and general physical appearance.
Similar to Western medicine, the pulse is taken on the
radial artery. Signs of imbalance are combined with
information about the patient's age, constitution and body
type. It is common for astrological charts to be consulted
to determine the role of karma or spirits in the illness.

Treatments in Ayurvedic medicine aim to restore balance
between the three doshas. Herbal medicine, massage, dietary
and lifestyle advice as well as yoga comprise treatment
regime. The medicinal properties of herbs have been
documented throughout the history of Ayurvedic medicine and
these are often combined with minerals, metals and other
ingredients to create therapeutic mixtures. Ayurvedic
medicine also offers five "panchakarma" purification
techniques that assist in cleansing and detoxification. A
course of panchakarma treatment typically includes a dietary
prescription, massage and herbal remedies, as well as
purgatives, sweat baths or nasal cleansing.

The Ayurvedic tradition has a heavy emphasis on massage,
especially for the treatment of age-related disorders. Pain
relief, improved circulation, flexibility and improved
athletic performance are all benefits of the Ayurvedic
massage technique. The rationale for success of the therapy
is the loosening of deep-seated toxins in the joints and
tissues.

In India, Ayurvedic medicine is taught as a component of
traditional medical degrees. In Western society however,
Ayurvedic medicine practice is heavily regulated and is
limited to herbal, massage and dietary treatments. The
treatment philosophy is holistic and thorough and for many
people, is a valuable alternative to Western medicine.

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