This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 208.145.205.253 (talk) at 00:10, 19 July 2003. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 00:10, 19 July 2003 by 208.145.205.253 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Ayurveda (Sanskrit: ayu—life; veda—knowledge of) or ayurvedic medicine is a more than 6,000 year old system of alternative medicine based on a holistic constitutional patient model that employs mainly diet and lifestyle changes and nontoxic herbs as remedies.
It is important to note that Ayurveda and Maharishi Vedic Medicine (MVM) are similar in many ways. The modes of treatment are identical and in fact, MVM is based upon Ayurveda. See the Vedic Medicine page for more details.
Ayurveda became increasingly symptom based, treating the symptoms of a disease rather than the root cause. However, it is important to note that Ayurveda was originally a consciousness based system of health care.
The 3 main doshas (organizing qualities of intelligence) are Vata (resembles the classical elements ether and air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (water and earth).
Ayurvedic treatments are primarily dietary and herbal. Patients are classified by body types, or prakriti, which are determined by proportions of the three doshas. Illness and disease are considered to be a matter of imbalance in the doshas. Treatment is aimed at restoring harmony or balance to the mind-body system. Vata, composed of air and space, governs all movement in the mind and body and must be kept in good balance. Too much vata leads to "worries, insomnia, cramps and constipation.... Vata controls blood flow, elimination of wastes, breathing and the movement of thoughts across the mind." Vata also controls the other two principles, Pitta and Kapha. Pitta is said to be composed of fire and water; it governs "all heat, metabolism and transformation in the mind and body. It controls how we digest food, how we metabolize our sensory perceptions, and how we discriminate between right and wrong." Pitta must be kept in balance, too. "Too much can lead to anger, criticism, ulcers, rashes and thinning hair." Kapha consists of earth and water. "Kapha cements the elements in the body, providing the material for physical structure. This dosha maintains body resistance....Kapha lubricates the joints; provides moisture to the skin; helps to heal wounds; fills the spaces in the body; gives biological strength, vigor and stability; supports memory retention; gives energy to the heart and lungs and maintains immunity...Kapha is responsible for emotions of attachment, greed and long-standing envy; it is also expressed in tendencies toward calmness, forgiveness and love." Too much Kapha leads to lethargy and weight gain, as well as congestion and allergies.
On the basis of the above metaphysical physiology, Ayurveda recommends such things as: to pacify Kapha eat spicy foods and avoid sweet foods. Avoid tomatoes and nuts. If you've got too much Pitta then try this: eat sweet foods and avoid the spicy. Eat nuts. To reduce Vata: eat sweet, sour and salty foods; avoid spicy foods. Nuts are good and so are dairy products.