Ayurveda originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and
lays claim to be the oldest documented system of medicine.
This holistic system of medicine has several aspects, which distinguish
it from other systems of medicine.
Ayurveda
lays emphasis on establishing and maintaining balance of the 'life
energies' within an individual, rather than focusing on individual
symptoms. Each individual is unique and each person requires
a different regimen of treatment, which is unique to that person.
This system of medicine lays stress on harmonising the individual
and nature, because it believes that all life flows from one absolute
source - the Paramatman (Almighty). If Ayurveda
is to be explained in simple words, it is the Veda of life.
A part of the Atharvaveda, Ayurveda is a Nupa Veda or a sub classification
of the main Veda. The earliest known text dates back to the
6th century BC.
Unique facets of Ayurveda
Ayurveda looks at people as individuals, not as a generic
group.
Ayurveda treats the person - the whole body not merely
the illness or the symptoms.
Everything in Ayurveda is natural so that the human
body can accept, therefore no side effects from the
therapies.
Therapies are inexpensive and effective.
There are two or three basic concepts in Ayurveda - Tridosha
and Pancha Bhowthika. Tridosha, says that there
are three universal energies Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
The belief is that all life is the combination of these three energies
- the tridosha - Air (Vayu or Vata), Fire (Pitta) and Water (Kapha).
Any disease is the result of imbalance of these elements.
Pancha
Bhowthika says that there are five basic elements - Fire, Water,
Air, Space and Earth. A person's constitution is determined
by one of the doshas, which is dominant in that person. Each
element relates to certain body types, foods and health concerns.
Each person who has a dominant dosha exhibits certain signs particular
to that dosha. The three prakritis or constitutions are Vata
prakriti (Air and Space), Pitta prakriti (Fire and Earth) and Kapha
prakriti (Water and Earth). The person who has a Vata prakriti
has coarse hair, is very active, fast learner, has dry skin, grasps
things quickly but forgets them immediately. A person with
Pitta prakriti has small eyes, good skin, can sustain hunger pangs,
very volatile and has a yellow tinge to his or her complexion.
Qualities unique to a person with Kapha prakriti are luminous skin,
thick hair and a calm disposition.
Ayurveda is holistic. It advocates a healthy lifestyle.
So go ahead. Live healthy, live ayurveda.
Authors : Captain N S Ramachandran, Meena Ramachandran
and Sujatha Ramachandran of Prakriti Ayurvedic Natural Rejuvenation
Centre.
Photographs: V Ganesan
12:18:06 AM 
Ayurveda
lays emphasis on establishing and maintaining balance of the 'life
energies' within an individual, rather than focusing on individual
symptoms. Each individual is unique and each person requires
a different regimen of treatment, which is unique to that person.
This system of medicine lays stress on harmonising the individual
and nature, because it believes that all life flows from one absolute
source - the Paramatman (Almighty). If Ayurveda
is to be explained in simple words, it is the Veda of life.
A part of the Atharvaveda, Ayurveda is a Nupa Veda or a sub classification
of the main Veda. The earliest known text dates back to the
6th century BC. 
Pancha
Bhowthika says that there are five basic elements - Fire, Water,
Air, Space and Earth. A person's constitution is determined
by one of the doshas, which is dominant in that person. Each
element relates to certain body types, foods and health concerns.
Each person who has a dominant dosha exhibits certain signs particular
to that dosha. The three prakritis or constitutions are Vata
prakriti (Air and Space), Pitta prakriti (Fire and Earth) and Kapha
prakriti (Water and Earth). The person who has a Vata prakriti
has coarse hair, is very active, fast learner, has dry skin, grasps
things quickly but forgets them immediately. A person with
Pitta prakriti has small eyes, good skin, can sustain hunger pangs,
very volatile and has a yellow tinge to his or her complexion.
Qualities unique to a person with Kapha prakriti are luminous skin,
thick hair and a calm disposition. 
