6Ayurveda

Introduction

Ayurveda, practiced in India for the past 5,000 years, is a comprehensive system of holistic medicine that focuses on body, mind, and spirit. With prefix ayur standing for life and root veda standing for science, the term is literally translated as the “Science of Life.” It encompasses more than just a medical system, but also a rich philosophy and way of living that emphasizes harmony with nature and with oneself. Ayurveda’s personalized approach to symptom management and treatment is unique in that it focuses on prakruti, your unique individual constitution.

Doshas

Prakruti is the specific combination of the three doshas vata, pitta, and kapha at the moment of conception. Each dosha is formed from the merging of two elements: vata (space + air), pitta (fire + water), kapha (earth + water); thus each dosha is an expression of nature and the elements. Prakruti is the blueprint of the doshas and how they express themselves in your physiology and personality. All three doshas are present in varying degrees in everyone, but one or two usually predominate. Knowing your constitution is essential for all Ayurvedic treatment.

A vata person is characterized as unpredictable, enthusiastic, impulsive, and imaginative. Physically, vatas are slender, have prominent features, and cool, dry skin. In contrast, the pitta type of personality is intelligent, passionate, articulate, goal-oriented, with a medium build. A kapha individual is characterized by a heavyset body type and is loving, compassionate, affectionate, and forgiving in nature.

Take the dosha test to determine your Ayurvedic constitution

Imbalance

Doshas become aggravated from poor diet and lifestyle, excessive emotions, exercise (including too much, too little, or the wrong kind), and external influences of the seasons, weather, or trauma. Vikruti, is the present altered state of the dosha that results in various physical and mental imbalances. The purpose of all Ayurvedic treatment is to mitigate doshic disturbance so they do not develop into disease conditions and harmonize them to prevent imbalances from occurring in the first place.

Imbalance of vata can result in hyperactivity, restlessness, anxiety, insecurity, fear, doubt, nervousness, insomnia, or dizziness. Physical manifestations are constipation, bloating, abdominal distension, gases, dehydration and emaciation, to name a few. When pitta is disturbed, it manifests as anger, rage, irritability, frustration, impatience, jealousy, violence, and being critical or judgmental. Physically, excess pitta can manifest as diarrhea, nausea, acid reflux, skin disturbances such as hives, rash, urticaria, excess perspiration, bleeding tendencies, inflammation, infection, and increased body heat. Disturbed kapha dosha is revealed through attachment, greed, depression and trouble letting go. It results physically in cold, congestion, weight gain, heaviness, shortness of breath, water retention, edema, and formation of tumors, fibroids and lumps.

Treatment

Ayurveda’s forte is preventative- managing symptoms before they become exacerbated into complicated illnesses and addressing chronic conditions by tailoring to each individual’s prakruti (doshic constitution) and vikruti (present imbalance). A comprehensive personalized approach balances the doshas through a variety of methods: dietary remedies, lifestyle changes, appropriate exercise routines, yoga and meditation, detoxification techniques, and herbal therapy.

Herbs: Ayurveda has a rich pharmacopia of botanical medicines that work in harmony with the body’s innate intelligence. The therapeutic effectiveness of herbal formulas can specifically address an individual’s prakruti, vikruti, and symptoms. They are natural substances that can be taken long-term without side-effects and in conjunction with western medications.

Panchakarma: Toxins that accumulate from poor diet, hectic lifestyles, physical overwork, stress and emotions, and various symptoms are believed to be the root of disease. Their early detection and elimination can prevent disease from occurring. Ayurveda utilizes an intelligent system of detoxification strategies known as panchakarma. It incorporates oil massages (abhyanga), sweat baths (swedana), nasal medications (nasya), oil applied to forehead (shirodhara), purgative therapies (virechana), medicated enemas (basti), and herbal tonics. Panchakarma allows the body to rejuvenate and be rooted in health.

Marma Therapy: The Ayurvedic energy points on the body are known as marma (singular) or marmani (plural). Acupressure of these points utilizing various essential oils for their aromatic benefits is generally incorporated in panchakarma during oil massages but can also be done independently. Stimulating marmani can address specific symptoms and imbalances, pacify all three doshas, and restore the body to greater levels of harmony.