What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is one of the oldest health sciences in the world and is closely linked with its sister science, Yoga. Both belong to the Vedic tradition and can be used in conjunction with each other. This system of medicine originated in India over 5000 years ago and has been spreading worldwide during recent decades. These healing methods predate Western medicine and represent a natural, contextual way of life. The primary focus is on prevention, based on individualised diet and lifestyle choices that address both the mind and body.¹ This is at the core of what Ayurveda means.
How Ayurveda works
A trained Ayurvedic counsellor will take time to understand the rogi’s personality and tendencies. This context is essential, as the mind and body have a direct influence on each other. Ayurveda works by identifying the cause of imbalance through the three functional energies: Vata (air), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (earth and water). These energies reveal both imbalances and natural tendencies. In this way, we gain insight into ourselves and can more easily create a balanced lifestyle.2
Balance is the central principle. Detecting imbalance before it develops into serious problems is why Ayurveda is important. During a consultation, guidance may include diet, exercise, Yoga, meditation, and the use of specific herbs and spices. What benefits one individual may not work for another, since each individual’s constitution has different tendencies. This is what holistic health practices truly mean in Ayurveda: preventative, contextual, and empowering. Ayurveda helps us understand ourselves better through natural healing methods and by recognising the properties of things and their opposites. For example, the pungent and dry qualities of black pepper can counteract a cold and slimy mucus, while cold and constricting foods could worsen such an imbalance.3
[1] Fondin, Michelle. „Ayurveda 101.“ Alternative medicine 16, no. 24 (2015): 48-51.
[2] Ibid, 48-51.
[3] Ibid, 48-51.
Related topics:
What are holistic health practices, What holistic health means, how Ayurveda works, what Ayurveda means, Why Ayurveda is important