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Ayurveda
means the Science of life.
Around 1500 B.C. Ayurveda's
fundamental and applied
principles got organised
and enunciated. Aatharvaveda
( one of the four most
ancient books of Indian
knowledge, wisdom and
culture ) contains 114
hymns or formulations
for the treatment of diseases.
Ayurveda or the Indian
Science of life originated
and developed from these
hymns. In this sense Ayurveda
is considered to have
divine origin representing
one of the oldest organised
system of medicine for
positive health and cure
of human |
sickness. Ayurveda deals
elaborately with measures
of healthful living during
the entire span of life
and its various phases.
Besides dealing with principles
for maintenance of health,
it has also developed
a wide range of therapeutic
measures to combat illness.
These principles of positive
health and therapeutic
measures related to physical,
mental, social and spiritual
welfare of human beings.
Thus Ayurveda became one
of the oldest systems
of medicine dealing with
both the preventive and
curative aspects of life
in a most comprehensive
way. |
BASIC CONCEPTS
Life in Ayurveda is conceived as the union of body, senses, mind and soul. The living man is a conglomeration of three humours (Vata,
Pitta &Kapha), sevenbasic tissues (Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Meda, Asthi, Majja & Shukra) and the waste products of the
body such as faeces, urine and sweat. Thus the total body matrix comprises of the humours, the tissues and the waste products
of the body. The growth and decay of this body matrix and its constituents revolve around food, which gets processed into humours,
tissues and wastes. Ingestion, digestion, absorption, assimilation and metabolism of food have an interplay in health and disease which are significantly
affected by psychological mechanisms as well as by bio- fire (Agni).
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PANCHAMAHABHUTAS
According to
Ayurveda all objects in
the universe including
human body are composed
of five basic elements
(Panchamahabhutas) namely,
earth, water, fire, air
and vacuum (ether). There
is a balanced condensation
of these elements in different
proportions to suit the
needs and requirements of different structures
and functions of the body
matrix and its parts.
The growth and development
of the body matrix depends
on its nutrition, i.e.
on food. The food, in
turn, is composed of the
above five elements, which
replenish or nourish the
like elements of the body
after the action of bio-fire
(Agni).
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THRIDOSHAS
The theory of 'Panchbhootha'-
five elements- described
above explains only the
materialistic manifestations
but not the functional
aspects of life. In order
to explain the functional
aspects of life, the theory
of "Thridosha"
, three functional principles
or bio-energies which
maintains the system is
adopted.
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HEALTH & SICKNESS
Health or sickness depends
on the presence or absence
of a balanced state of
the total body matrix
including the balance
between its different
constituents. Both the
intrinsic and extrinsic
factors can cause disturbance
in the natural equilibrium
giving rise to disease.
This loss of equilibrium
can happen by dietary
indiscrimination, undesirable
habits and non-observance
of rules of healthy living
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TREATMENTS
The most important treatment
is the Panchakarma treatments
, they are five basic
cleaning therapies intented
to make body more pure
and then followed by rejuvenating
treatments. Panchakarma
(five actions) is a cleansing
and rejuvenating program
for the body, mind and
consciousness. It is known
for its beneficial effects
on overall health, wellness
and self-healing. You
can benefit in the following
ways:
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Eliminate
toxins and toxic
conditions from
your body and mind
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Restore your constitutional
balance improving
health and wellness
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Strengthen your
immune system and
become more resistant
to illness |
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Reverse the negative
effects of stress
on your body and
mind |
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Slow the aging
process |
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Enhance your self-reliance,
strength, energy,
vitality and mental
clarity |
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Bring about deep
relaxation and a
sense of well-being
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Reduce dependence
on drugs and medicine
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Implement positive
lifestyle changes
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| PANCHAKARMAS |
| 1 |
Basti
(Enema) |
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| A.
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Anuvasana
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Oil enema
is used in pure
vata disorders
and when a person
is having excess
hunger or dryness
related to vata
imbalances.
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| B. |
Niruha-Asthapana
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Decoction
enema is used,
for evacuation
of vata, nervous
diseases, gastro-intestinal
vata conditions,
rheumatoid arthritis,
certain types
of fever, urinary
disorders, appetite,
pain, hyperacidity
and heart diseases.
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| 2 |
Vamanam
(Intended Vomitting) |
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Medicines are given
internally for vomiting
to clean the stomach.
This procedure is
administered in Kapha
disorders, asthma,
psoriasis |
| 3 |
Virechana
(Intended purgation) |
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Medicines are given
internally for purgation
to clean the intestine.
This procedure is
administered in skin
disorders, arthritis
and digestive disorders
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| 4 |
Raktha moksha
(Blood letting) |
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In this treatment
impure blood is taken
out of the body from
certain points by
using leeches. It
is very good treatment
for certain types
of skin disorders |
| 5 |
Nasyam (nasal
infusion) |
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Medicated oil, herbal
extracts, (Anu thailam,
Cephagraine nasal
drops) would be instilled
into the nostrils
after Oleation and
fomentation of face,
throat and thoracic
part.
Indication: Sinusitis,
Headaches, Facial
paralysis.
The
prowess of preventive
and curative aspects
of diseases is put
into practice at
Lakesong Ayurkshethra
'the temple of life'.
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