This ancient, difficult-to-understand medicine is gaining in popularity.
Ayurveda is the world's oldest medical system, and is rooted in the ancient Hindu medical texts, called the Vedas, which date to 4,500 B.C. According to Vasant Lad, head of The Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico, "Ayurveda helps each person understand one's unique body, mind and the nature of [...] consciousness." This science, in fact, holds that this basic knowledge of body, mind and consciousness is the foundation of health and happiness.
Sounds like just what the doctor ordered, right? The science of Ayurveda, while complicated and difficult to translate into modern scientific terms, has great appeal to today's holistically-minded individuals. But understanding it, and using it, requires an approach that is quite different from a typical allopathic or even alternative medical program. For example, it include diagnostic techniques (e.g., determining health through looking at the pulse, nails and face); cleansing regimens (e.g., panchakarma); herbal and homeopathic remedies; customized diets; yoga; mudras, or hand gestures; and mantras, or chants.
The 5 elements
Ayurveda instructs that there are five elements that make up all things, including people--space (ether), air, fire, water and earth. These are the basis of all living systems, and are constantly in flux.
In addition to the five basic elements, Ayurveda identifies three main types of energy, or doshas, that are present in everybody and everything and are considered the active, or energized, forms of the five elements: vata, pitta and kapha. Vata is formed from air and ether, and is the energy of movement; pitta comes from fire and water, and is the energy of digestion and metabolism; and kapha derives from water and earth, and is the energy that forms the body's structure and holds our cells together.Each person has a unique combination of vata, pitta and kapha doshas. In some, one dosha rules; in others, two doshas rule; and in others, all three doshas are equally balanced. The body's constitution is called the prakruti, and is determined by our combination of the doshas. Our prakruti governs how we respond to events in life, emotionally and physically. Ayurvedic Medicine says that if we're aware of our basic constitution and tendencies, we can take action--altering our diet, behavior patterns and emotional responses--to achieve, and maintain "equilibrium with one's constitution, thereby living a balanced, happy and fulfilled life," says Vasant Lad in Essentials of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (1999).
The Tibetan connection
In the eighth century, soon after Tibet was unified as an independent nation, it began to assimilate influences from its close contact with India, Nepal and China. Buddhism, in particular, was to leave a lasting mark. In fact, the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, who lived during the fifth century B.C., is thought to have been a great healer. Tibetans introduced medical practice into the Buddhist monastery studies, resulting in Tibetan Medicine.
In 1985, a team of Russian and French scholars made an incredible discovery while working in a remote region of the former USSR. They uncovered a box lying on the altar of the cathedral of Ulan-Ude, capital of the Republic of Buryatia. In it was an extraordinary medical text, known as The Blue Beryl, a specially commissioned group of paintings that were done in the seventeenth century during the Tibetan Renaissance to illustrate a now-lost, ancient Tibetan medical text. In the 1920s, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama had the original set restored, and several copies made, one of which was brought over to Buryatia.
Called thangkas (pronounced THAN-kas) in Tibetan, these cloth scroll paintings represent the entire Tibetan medical system. Now world-famous examples of these paintings are "The Palace of the Healing Buddha" and "The Tree of Health and Disease."
Some theories suggest that Ayurvedic Medicine was a tradition that transmitted to Tibet about 1,300 to 2,000 years ago, and later transmitted to China, to become part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. According to researcher Vladimir Badmaev, M.D., Ph.D., who is said to come from a long line of now-exiled court physicians to the Tsars of Russia (to whom Tibetan medical formulas were entrusted):
"In Ayurveda, and closely related Tibetan Medicine, the interest in the well-being of an individual human always extends into the universal concept of balance in existence. A human is considered, in this tradition, a miniature of the Universe, as well as integral part of the overall Universe, which is governed by the same divine laws of nature. It is our individual responsibility to strive to abide by these laws."
In Tibetan Medicine, the five elements and three doshas of Ayurveda (see Vata, Pitta and Kapha sidebar) are, more or less, represented by three elements: chi, schara and badahan. A familiarity with these constitutional types is integral to success in using Ayurvedic health regimens and remedies.
Ayurvedic regimens
Although finding true physician-practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine is not always easy, it is becoming less difficult. When you first meet an Ayurvedic practitioner, your doshic condition (tri-dosha) is identified, along with any imbalances. You'll also be asked detailed questions about your personal and family history, lifestyle, eating and digestion habits and about interpersonal relationships. Your pulse will be read at three points on both wrists (to correspond with the three doshas). You may be asked to produce an early-morning urine sample. Dietary modifications will be suggested; in fact, you may be asked to eat at certain times of the day, depending on your doshic type and the season of the year.
As part of the shaman regimen, you'll be given a unique set of herbs or minerals. If you're strong enough, you may undergo a cleansing and detoxification program, called shodan, which includes: enemas, laxatives, saunas, massage with oils, foot massage and washing out the nasal passages--also collectively known as panchakarma. If you require an energizing regimen, you will undergo rasayana, which may include: yoga, herbal remedies, chanting, meditation (satvajaya) and sunbathing.
Ayurvedic remedies
Made up of herbs, minerals and vegetables, each Ayurvedic "prescription" varies according to external environment, season, doshic type and doshic imbalance. Ayurvedic healing recipes (remedies) are available in a variety of forms at health-food stores. When practitioners compound formulas, they sometimes use what is called a "carrier," such as water, honey or ghee (clarified butter).
If you wish to try Ayurvedic medicine, you will be confronted with the question: Combination or single-herb Ayurvedic remedies? In point of fact, all traditional Ayurvedic remedies come from culinary and culinary-medicinal use and, as such, were always part of balanced formulas, or recipes. This is also true of Tibetan and Traditional Chinese Medicines. On the other hand, all traditional herbal remedies had a basis in larger traditions of ritual and food use, and millions of people achieve success with single herbs, as well. What you try depends on whether you are interested in leaning toward a more traditional way of incorporating Ayurveda into your life. If you want a targeted single herb for a specific need, you can go that direction, too.
Below are 13 important Ayurvedic herbs, and herbal groups, which can be taken singly, or as part of combination formulas:
* Ashwagandha. Research: cancer-fighting; anti-edema and anti-inflammation; anti-ulcer.
* Boswellia serrata. Research: arthritis symptoms; inflammatory intestinal conditions; cholesterol-lowering; liver-protecting.
* Cayenne (external cream). Research: post-herpetic neuralgia; diabetic neuropathy; osteoarthritis (hands); post-mastectomy pain syndrome; cluster headaches.
* Commiphora mukul (guggula). Research: anti-"bad" (LDL) cholesterol and anti-triglycerides; anti-atherosclerosis; pro-fat-burning.
* Green tea (camellia sinensis). Research: antioxidants in green tea protect cells and DNA; protects against digestive/urinary and breast cancers.
* Gymnema sylvestre. Research: improved insulin sensitivity and glucose utilization in diabetics.
* Phyllanthus amarus. Research: liver-support; may help with hepatitis B carrier status.
* Picrorrhiza kurroa. Research: liver-protection; helps with asthma (along with Tylophora indica) and allergies
* Tinospora cordifolia. Research: obstructive jaundice and liver-protection.
* Trikatu (Piper nigrum [black pepper], Piper longum [long pepper] and ginger). Research: stimulates digestion and relieves indigestion; flatulence; ulcers; heartburn; increases digestibility and absorption of nutrients.
* Triphala (Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica and Emblica officinalis). Research: protects the body against free-radical stress and damage, including infection or toxins; purifies the colon; ulcers; chronic constipation; upper-respiratory function.
* Turmeric (curcumin). Research: anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects; anti-atherosclerosis; post-surgery recovery.
The "Science of Life"
According to Indian legend, Punarvasu Atreya, who was a vedic wise man and author of the fifth book of Rig Veda, was the first human being [to whom] the gods taught the art of medicine. Legend further tells us that Atreya went to visit Indra, the king of the gods (devtas), and said this to him: "Oh, monarch of the gods, not only do you reign over the heavenly spheres but over all three planetary systems, because that is the way the Creator wants it. The world of human being is befallen with illnesses, and they suffer terribly. Show me your compassion and teach me the science of life." In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means "science of life," and it truly provides us a comprehensive holistic medical system that can tackle illness and improve health.
The 5 Elements
1. Ether Medium through which sound is transmitted, and is related to the ear (speech and hearing).
2. Air Created from ether. Related to the sense of touch (hand) and skin.
3. Fire Came out of the friction of ether. Fire manifests as light, heat and color, and is related to vision.
4. Water Through the transforming heat of fire, specific elements, dissolved to form water, and solidified to form earth. Related to our blood, called the "Water of Life."
5. Earth Refers to the sense of smell, the nose and digestive system.
Vata, Pitta & Kapha
Every person has an individual combination of doshas or prakruti determined by the doshas of his or her parents at the time of conception. Ayurvedic physicians believe that balancing the doshas is critical to good health. Each dosha is said to have a "seat" organ in the body that is thought able to absorb and eliminate small excesses of dosha imbalance.
Vata types are either short or tall & slight-builts, creative, with impulsive nervous movements and tend to waste energy.
* Dominant element: air, then ether
* Organ seat: colon
* Shared quality with kapha: coldness
* Tastes that increase (stimulate) vata: pungent, bitter, astringent.
* Tastes that calm vata: sweet, sour, salty;
* Vata seasons: autumn and early winter
* Foods that calm excess vata: carrots; moist, warming foods (e.g., casseroles); cooked root vegetables
Pitta types are evenly proportioned & of average height. Confident & ambitious, they can also be aggressively competitive.
* Dominant element: fire, then water
* Organ seats: stomach & small intestine
* Shared quality with vata: lightness
* Tastes that increase pitta: sour, salty, pungent; pitta types should limit red meat
* Tastes that calm excess pitta: sweet, astringent, bitter
* Pitta season: summer
* Foods that calm excess pitta: mushrooms; cooling foods, especially salads; fish, chicken and tofu
Kapha types are solidly built physically strong & slow-moving. Stable & patient, they're inclined to be possessive.
* Dominant element: water, then earth
* Organ seat of kapha: stomach and lungs
* Shared quality with pitta: oiliness
* Tastes that increase kapha: sweet, sour and salty; kapha types should limit dairy products
* Tastes that calm excess kapha: pungent, bitter, astringent
* Kapha season: middle of winter
* Foods that calm excess kapha: apples; pears; hot & spicy foods; leafy vegetables, beans & lentils
