What is Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine originated more than 5000 years ago in India. Its a branch of Atharva Veda and is believed to be authentic and written by sages over a period of time. Its a complete system which mentions about various aspects of human being from life to death and things which are beneficial to human being are explained beautifully in this Vedic system. It aims in healing body, mind, and emotion by using a holistic approach.

Goals of Ayurveda

Ayurveda broadly has two goals unlike other systems of medicines:

Goal of this system is to prevent illness, heal the sick and preserve life. This can be summed up as follows:

Swasthasya swasthya rakshanam – Maintaining health of healthy individual by following various ancient principles like Panchkarma, Marma etc.
Aturasya vikar prashamanam – Treating the diseased person by using various fundamentals tools of Ayurveda.

Goals of Human Life

According to Vedic philosophy human life has four main goals. For an individual to realize their Supreme Self, they need to identify the reasons and objectives for which they came into existence on this earth and ultimately fulfil those purposes…

Dharma: Righteousness, Ones Duty.
Artha: Wealth.
Kama: Desire.
Moksha: Liberation.

The four goals are indeed the qualities and objectives of the Supreme Self and God. And since an individual is a reflection and manifestation of God, it is the rightful pursuit of a person to fulfil these four Goals.

Concept of Panchmahabhoot
(Five basic elements)

Ayurveda believes that everything in this universe is made up of five basic elements in different proportions, they are:

Akash (Ether), Vayu (Air), Agni (Fire), Prithvi (Earth) and Jal (Water).

Characteristics of these elements are:

Space (Ether) – Present in hollow cavities within body and empty areas of cosmos and transmits sound.
Air – Light, Dry, Subtle, Mobile, Transparent, Rough are the properties of Air. It is responsible for movement, dryness in the body.
Fire – It is hot, sharp, intense and light. It emits light and heat.
Earth – It is solid, dense, stable, and heavy and hard. It constitutes the solid structures in the universe and our body.
Water – It is moist, sticky, cool, soft and oily.

Concept of Tridoshas - The Concept of Bio-Energies

The Tridosha (three bio-energies) found in our body are Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Vata:
Vata pertains to air and ether elements. This energy is generally seen as the force, which directs nerve impulses, circulation, respiration, and elimination in our body.

Pitta:
Pitta pertains to fire and water elements. This dosha governs metabolism, e.g. the transformation of foods into nutrients. Pitta is also responsible for metabolism in the organ and tissue systems.

Kapha:
Kapha pertains to water and earth element. Kapha is responsible for growth and protection. The mucosal lining of the stomach, and the cerebral-spinal fluid that protects the brain and spinal column are examples of kapha.

Concept of Prakriti

Ayurveda defines every individual as a different entity and attribute certain characteristic features which are predominantly seen in him as per his constitution. Prakruti of an individual is decided at the time of conception itself and remains intact throughout the life although you can see slight variations due to influence of several factors like time, food, seasons etc. Prakruti of an individual is based upon the three Doshas of the Body via are Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

Some characteristic features of different prakrutis are:

Vata Prakriti

Thin body frame.
Skin is dry, rough, dark complexion and cracked.
Hairs are dry and splitting.
Quick performance of activities.
Variable and/or poor appetite.
Physical working capacity less, resistance to disease usually poor.
Prefers warm or hot food and climate.
Scanty perspiration, variable thirst.
Tendency for constipation.
Light sleep with many dreams.
Prone to anxiety, worry and depression, unpredictable nature.

Pitta Prakriti

Medium body frame.
Skin is delicate, reddish complexion, warm to touch.
Good/excessive appetite.
Feels warm/hot sensation.
Prefers cold food and climate, intolerance to hot food and climate.
Tendency for loose motion.
Excessive thirst and perspiration.
Bright eyes, reddish sclera, yellow iris, sharp penetrating vision.
Hair soft, premature greying, baldness.
Intelligent, sharp memory, hot tempered, brave, jealous, aggressive, commanding nature.

Kapha Prakriti

Large and broad body frame.
Skin is thick, soft, smooth, firm, glossy, fair complexion.
Good stamina but slow in physical activities.
Deep and pleasant voice.
Moderate appetite.
Moderate perspiration, low thirst.
Deep and sound sleep.
Large eyes, calm, stable with whitish sclera.
Hair thick, oily, wavy dark coloured.
Calm, cool, joyful, polite and good nature.

Concept of Dhatus in Ayurveda

Ayurveda explains that Dhatus are the structures which supports and helps in proper functioning of the body. They are produced after one after the other during the process of digestion of food in chronological order. They are seven in number.

The Ayurvedic definition of health is that state in which the structure and function of a particular individual is operating optimally and the individual is in a state of physical, mental, and spiritual well being.

A person is said to be healthy if...

All three doshas are in equilibrium with regards to the prakrIti.
All seven dhatus (bodily tissues) are in the proper state of strength and integrity.
The (Agni) digestive fires is balanced resulting in proper appetite, digestion and assimilation of food.

The Malas (waste materials) are being produced and eliminated in a proper manner.
The Indriyas (sense organs) are functioning normally and the mind is undisturbed.
The individual is experiencing happiness and contentment.