Ayurveda is a 5000 year old science of health care and herbal treatment. The ward ‘Ayurveda’ is composed of two terms, ‘Ayush’ meaning of life and ‘ Veda’ meaning knowledge or science. Thus, etymologically, Ayurveda means the science of life or biology. Medicine apart, various other aspects of life also come within the purview of Ayurveda. In its broader perspective it deals with the health and treatment of diseases of animals and even plants without side effects.
Ayurveda provides rational means for the treatment of many internal diseases which are considered to be obstinate and incurable in other systems of medicine. Simultaneously it lays a great deal of emphasis upon the maintenance of positive health of an individual. It thus aims at both the prevention and cure of diseases. Ayurveda also studies basic human nature and natural urges like hunger, thirst, sleep, sex etc., and provides measures for a disciplined, disease – free life.
It was in late 19th century and the early 20th century that people started thinking afresh about the development of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is now backed by modern scientific research and technologies and provides its gentle healing touch to millions around the world.
WHY DO I NEED AYURVEDA
As a human being advances in age, grows above 30 years, or by the time he is 40, the individual unexpectedly suffers from minor or major disease, this is because during all the years since the birth of the individual, gradually unwanted toxins or unwanted metabolic substances have accumulated in the human body which is against nature. These unwanted toxins or the metabolic substances have been accumulated for the reasons being, of the pollution that we breathe, the chemicals that we eat (all the vegetables are now a days grown by spraying chemicals), lack of movement of the body etc.
This unwanted material inside the body weakens the resistance of the body, by damaging the purifying organs of the body thus creating a disequilibrium in the body. Therefore there arises a need to remove these unwanted material out of the human beings body, to maintain an equilibrium with the nature. Ayurveda teaches us the appropriate life style to keep away from this toxins by creating an equilibrimium in the body.
Panchakarma is one of the ayurvedic treatment which throws out all the unwanted material out of the human body through all the openings a human body has. The Panchakarma procedure varies from one individual to the other and is personalized for each individual. The patient is first diagnosed and a Team of Doctors select a specific procedure for that individual, which continues for 21 days.
During this treatment the individual has to observe a strict diet and even for some days will be kept on a light diet.
The Changing concept of Medicine
One of the most dramatic events that has occurred in this century in the medical world is its emergence as a science. The various discoveries in biochemistry, genetics, pharmacodynamics, imaging science and anesthesiology, to mention only some of the disciplines, coupled with the use of statistics, electronics and molecular biology had revolutionized the very outlook of this ancient and hoary branch of learning. There was an era in the dim, distant past when the art of medicine was a way of life and when medicine had its origins in mysticism and astrology, and when medicine, literature and poetry were irretrievably intermingled. Dhanvanthari, the symbolic fountainhead of ancient Hindu medicine was a God, whereas Hippocrates was a divine philosopher and others apostles of saintly wisdom.
The modern physician starts looking at the patient from a narrow angle as a machine composed of many systems and hopes that it can be repaired by correcting the local and manifest faults, he causes a big slide in the value systems of medicine and irretrievable damage is done. It is well to remember that there is never an illness which affects only one portion of the body or one system and that disease affects the whole person including his psyche. Health is not only absence of disease, but according to WHO a state of positive enjoyment and happiness. Thus it is easy to find that we can prosper only if we imbibe the concept of holistic medicine
If we examine the history of medicine, we will find that medicine developed through folk-healing techniques and the folk healers were always the first to realize that man is s composite whole, and that as important or even more important than the other systems, was the psyche of the individual. His self-esteem, his physical and mental environment, his beliefs and faith of all had tremendous potential to cause and cure illness.
Herbs have been used by man since the beginning of human culture as a source of medicine. Herbal drugs refer to the plant derived materials or preparations with therapeutic or other human health benefits, which contain either raw or processed ingredients from one or more plants.
Before l8th century the whole humanity was depending on herbal drugs for meeting health care needs. Introduction of abstract medicine in the form of basic chemicals and pharmaceuticals during the l8th and l9th century has demonstrated methods for bringing quick relief from sufferings and this won instant admiration and popularity. This system known as ‘Allopathic’ made rapid advances during the l9th and 20th century, as a result of the spectacular advances made in biological, chemical and pharmaceutical sciences.
Now the pendulum is swinging back and the herbal drugs are finding increasing demand worldwide. During the boast decade there has been an ever increasing demand for herbal drugs and herbal cosmetics especially from the developed countries.
This revival of interest in herbal drugs and other natural products is mainly due to the increased awareness and mounting scientific evidence of harmful side effects of most of the modern chemical drugs, antibiotics, cortisones etc. According to a survey conducted by WHO, the use of medicinal plant remedies are on the increase even in the developed countries especially among the younger people. In the industrialized countries, the consumers are seeking safe alternative to modern medicine. The promotive and preventive medicines widely prevalent in oriental medicine especially the Indian ( Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Amchi ) and the Chinese systems of medicine are finding increasing popularity and acceptance the world over.