Ayurveda – a deep ancient wisdom of bringing our mind, body, and soul into harmony was born in India around 5000 years ago. It is one of the oldest forms of medical science. This ancient science focuses on longevity, life, and overall well-being. Ayurveda has a simple holistic approach to a healthier and longer life like our ancestors lived. Ayurveda is based on three key concepts – Nidana (diagnostic measure), Kaya Chikitsa (body treatment), and Ahar (food which acts as medicines).
According to Ayurveda, qualities called Doshas form crucial characteristics of the Prakurti (specific constitution). These Doshas are called Pitta, Vata, and Kapha. Each dosha has five specific elements.
Elements of our body
Space – associates with the expansiveness
Air – associates with mobility, gaseousness, and lack of form
Fire – associates with heat, fire, and transformation
Water – associated with instability and liquidity
Earth – associates with stability and solidity
Doshas
Pitta
Pitta word originated from the Sanskrit word Pinj which means to shine. The dosha is formed of the fire element and associated with heat. Pitta dominant persons are of average stature with a muscular build and they are very action oriented.
Vata
Vata word originated from the Sanskrit word Vayuu which means ‘that which moves’. This dosha is composed of air elements. It is sometimes considered as the most influential dosha as it is the moving force behind Kapha and Pitta. It promotes a healthy balance between emotions and thoughts and fuel activity, creativity, and clear comprehension.
Kapha
Kapha is derived from the Sanskrit word Shilish which means to hold things tighter. From its main seat in the stomach, this dosha is related to lubrication, mucous, and carrying nutrients into the arterial system. Kapha also governs immunity. It also offers endurance and physical and psychological strength and stability. It promotes positive emotions like empathy, love, compassion, forgiveness, loyalty, and patience.
Treatments
Ayurveda has remedies to cure the bad effects of these doshas including massages with therapeutic essential oils and kneading tapping and squeezing for more traditional massage strokes. Ayurveda treatments are designed to detoxify and cleanse our body, boost the immune system, and improve overall well-being. You may also go for ayurvedic beauty courses in India to enhance your inner glow with natural remedies and ayurvedic courses in Kerala for unwinding the deep secrets of this ancient science at the birthplace of Ayurveda – Kerala.
You may try the following treatments here:
• Ayurvedic Shirodhara – a treatment using oil poured on the forehead
• Udwarthanam – slimming treatment involves deep massage with herbal powder
• Panchkarma treatment in India – a five-step complete mind and body rejuvenating treatment which comprises of herbal oil massages, cleansing enemas, steam baths, healing Khichdi diet, and purifying practices.
• Vishesh – a deep muscular massage through herbal oils
• Abhyanga – individually prepared herbal oil massage
Food
Diet plays a crucial role in our mental and physical health. According to Ayurveda, many problems can be prevented by using the right diet. You can include the following changes for a healthy lifestyle:
• Include 50/100 gram fiber per day in your diet
• Include seasonal fruits vegetables and green leafy vegetables in your diet
• Avoid reheated and refrigerated food
• Avoid drinking too much or too little water
• Reduce sugar and salt intake
• Increase intake of buttermilk, milk, coconut water, lassi, etc
• Avoid intake of aerated drinks, fast food, etc
Herbs
Ashwagandha – It is a shrub originally grown in India. It helps in increasing vitality, balance hormones, increase energy, and helps in balancing stress hormone and adrenal fatigue.
Brahmi – Brahmi is the ultimate brain tonic that helps in maintaining a balance between the left brain and the right brain. It also helps open up the small endocrine gland and pineal gland which is associated with intuition.
Manjistha – Manjistha helps in purifying the blood and generate cooling effects that work on plasma and blood dhatus. This is great medicine for pitta unbalance.
Amalaki – Amla balances all our doshas, boosts immunity, nourishes our physiology, and promotes longevity.
Arjuna – Arjuna the bark of the arjuna tree is highly helpful in improving cardiovascular health.
