Ayurvedic medicine is over 5000 years old. This makes it the oldest practised health system in the world. The translation of Ayurveda from Sanskrit means roughly “science of life”. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO): “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” , and that is exactly how Ayurveda views health and wellness.
Ayurvedic medicine’s holistic approach is the reason why it has received the trust of people for generations. People from developed countries, in particular, are increasingly recognising that this traditional Indian medical system not only cures illnesses but can prevent them too. Ayurvedic therapies revitalise the body and soul, they enhance well-being and restore strength that is lost due to people’s lifestyles.
Interesting Facts About Ayurveda
Ayurveda focuses on more than just healing, in fact, it ensures that you live a healthy lifestyle. This system is a far more superior form of medicine that provides treatments for a number of ailments that is usually not found in other forms of medicine. Before getting an Ayurvedic treatment, here are some interesting facts that you need to know about this ancient art of medicine and healing.
Ayurveda not only uses medicinal herbs but also involves the use of butter, honey, rock salts, milk and ghee as its components in its healing process.
This form of medicine has many specialities such as Shalya-chikitsa (Surgery), Kaayachikitsa (Internal Medicine), Bhutavidya (Psychiatry), Shalakya (Disease located above the shoulder), Kaumarabhrutyam (Paediatrics), Rasayanam (Rejuvenation) and Agadatantram (Toxicology).
The effects of Ayurveda on the human body is extreme and can give you long term relief. This is because this practice believes that the body is made up of 5 elements such as water, air, water, earth and fire all of which plays an important role in the way your body functions.
Ayurveda cures the hidden cause of the illness rather than just fighting symptoms. This means that an Ayurvedic doctor will concentrate on the root of the problem more than paying attention to the symptoms.
Ayurveda Medical Benefits
Ayurveda is categorised into three different types of life forces (Doshas) namely Vata dosha, Pitta dosha, Kapha dosha. Every human has one of the above doshas in a predominant form. An Ayurvedic doctor will first identify which dosha you belong to and then decide upon the treatment you should go through. Here are some health benefits that this ancient healing science provides:
Reduces Risk of Diseases
Having a healthy diet, sunbathing, and having a breathing exercise will help you avoid the risk of developing any disease. Prevention is the first and most important step that is followed in Ayurveda. There are two goals in Ayurveda i.e. to look at the disease from where it arose and secondly finding a natural way of curing the disease. Ayurvedic treatment will reduce your risk of diseases because it concentrates on preventive measures rather than curing the disease. While modern medicine has X-rays to detect a disease in its later stage, Ayurvedic medicine detects a disease even before you could get it and provides preventive measures to curb it.
Detoxifies The Body Naturally
Ayurveda cleanses your mind, body and soul. ‘Panchakarma’ is used to get rid of toxins that interfere with the normal functioning of your body. Also, a full body massage rejuvenates your body and keeps you functioning normally. In order to get the right Ayurvedic treatment, you will have to consult an Ayurvedic doctor, and he/she will put you on a natural diet that is specific for the condition or illness you are dealing with.
Balances Hormones
Ayurveda helps balance hormones which results in improved bodily functions, regular menstrual cycle and pregnancy-related issues in women. Ayurvedic treatment for regulating menstrual cycle involves detoxification of your body, getting enough rest, regular exercising and Abhyanga (Starting the day with full body massage). In order to get a suitable medication for an irregular menstrual cycle, it is recommended that you consult an Ayurvedic doctor.
Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is usually caused due to poor diet and lack of sleep. Ayurveda consists of herbal treatments that are used for controlling excessive inflammation. Some of these herbs include turmeric, ashwagandha, boswellia and ginger that are combined with each other to reduce inflammation.
Healthy Skin
If you are looking for healthy and radiant skin, then here is how you can make use of Ayurveda and get it done naturally. All you need to do is to consume a lot of leafy greens such as lettuce, spinach and cucumber that is easy to digest and aids in glowing skin. Leafy greens have purifying properties that can make your skin look young and bright. It is also recommended that you consume a lot of nuts and seeds because they contain Omega-3 healthy fatty acids that can make your skin look vibrant and also reduces inflammation.
Benefits Overall Health
Ayurveda is an ancient medicine focused on the individual rather than the disease itself. In Ayurvedic treatments, all that matters is the root of the disease and using preventive measures to curb it from affecting your body. Moreover, it helps the body both internally and externally. The different medicinal herbs used in this ancient art are turmeric, cloves, cinnamon, cardamom, saffron and Tulsi (Holy Basil). These herbs have inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can prevent you from diseases or illnesses.
Natural Stress Buster
Yoga and Ayurveda are interlinked with each other in Vedic Knowledge. Thus, it is important to understand both roles of Ayurveda and Yoga together. Vedic knowledge was designed to show the inner workings of the universe in relation to our consciousness. There are many Ayurvedic methods to release stress namely:
Dinacharya: This refers to waking up early before the sun rises. This practice is said to give you peace of mind.
Meditation: This will help you stay relaxed and reduce stress hormones.
Aids in Weight Loss
Ayurveda helps you reduce weight without affecting your physical and emotional stability. An Ayurvedic doctor will prescribe a healthy diet plan that will aid in weight loss. The diet plan will benefit you in many ways such as:
Detoxify your body
Removal of excessive fat from tissues
Skin purification and toning
Removes body odour
Regulates blood circulation
Reduces cholesterol
Cures Insomnia
Drinking caffeine before bedtime, staring at your phone’s light or a spicy dinner can disrupt your sleep cycle and aggravate your nervous system. Ayurveda can help you have an undisturbed sleep. All you need to do is to simply rub some jasmine or coconut oil on your scalp and feet and then consume a warm glass of almond milk. This simple hack will cure you of insomnia.
Reduces Bloating
Bloating is usually the aftermath of eating too much and disturbances in bowel movements. It is usually caused due to excessive production of gas that can cause severe pain, feeling stuffed and discomfort. Ayurveda can manage bloating and aid in good digestion. Ayurvedic herbs, spices and roots such as cardamom, ginger and cumin can cure indigestion in the body. All you need to do is to simply chew cumin along with some ginger and this will aid in digestion.
Ayurveda is recognised by the UN as a traditional system of medicine. Moreover, the organisation adopted the definition of the term from some of its teachings. India has also signed an agreement with the WHO for promoting this traditional medicine. These traditional medicines include Ayurveda, Unani and Yoga.
Ayurveda existed way before western medicine was even thought about. Currently, modern medical practitioners are understanding the value of this ancient art of healing and trying to build the link between Ayurveda and modern science. With more research on Ayurveda, there will be new advancements in medicine that can benefit people in a much faster way.
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