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AYURVEDA: principle and benefits
Origin of Ayurveda
Ayurveda, also known as Ayurvedic medicine, is believed to be the oldest holistic medicine in the world. It views the human being as a whole entity, taking into consideration both the body and the mind. Created by the sages of classical India, the Rishis, this Ayurvedic tradition dates back more than 5,000 years.
The word Ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit words "ayur" (life) and "veda" (science or knowledge), which translate to "knowledge of life" or "knowledge of longevity."
The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes Ayurveda as a complete system of traditional medicine. According to the WHO, therapies within traditional medicine encompass drug, non-drug, manual, and spiritual therapies.
Principles of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a traditional Indian medicine that focuses on maintaining a permanent balance for optimum health and developing our abilities for self-healing in harmony with our environment.
This holistic approach is still widely used in India and Sri Lanka and draws on concepts that differ greatly from Western medicine. Ayurveda believes that the individual is interconnected with their environment. Similar to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda takes into account the five "fundamental elements" - ether, air, fire, earth, and water.
Ayurvedic profiles or doshas
Most traditional medicines attribute a specific constitution to individuals that determines the strengths and weaknesses of their body.
The dosha, also known as a biological humor, is a temperament that is specific to us. Each of us can be classified into one of the three main Ayurvedic families: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
The idea is very simple: we have a particular combination of elements inside us that interact with each other to give us our shape, moods, strengths, weaknesses, and even our personality!
The three doshas are present in the human body, with varying intensity. By learning which dosha is dominant in our body, we can adapt our lifestyle to meet our real needs and maintain our well-being.
The Birth Constitution
Although the presence of different doshas can come and go, causing us to constantly fluctuate between states of balance and imbalance, we each have a fundamental combination of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha within us.
Even if our lifestyle changes, our basic constitution remains unchanged; this is our Prakriti, inherited from our parents in a unique blend. If our Prakriti is balanced, an unsuitable lifestyle can disrupt this delicate balance and pave the way for various dysfunctions.
The key to Ayurvedic medicine is achieving and maintaining essential balance. When we find this fundamental balance, the one we possessed before birth, we are in complete control of our vital force. Throughout our lives, the three doshas will govern our physiological processes and continuously take precedence over each other. Our objective is to work tirelessly to maintain a balance between the three doshas and strive to return to our balanced Prakriti constitution.
The Imbalance as the Root of our ailments
Balance cannot exist without imbalance. In Ayurvedic medicine, the preponderance of one dosha over the others is called Vikriti. This imbalance is intended to be temporary and circumstantial, especially if we wish to maintain radiant health! Knowing your dosha and regularly implementing Ayurvedic remedies helps maintain balance between the different elements that make up your being. As a holistic traditional medicine, Ayurveda considers all sources of imbalance, whether physical, mental or emotional.
Benefits of Ayurveda
Ayurveda allows for a reconnection with the body and recognition of its universal wisdom. It is a holistic approach to health that is applicable to all situations. Although Ayurvedic medicine is thousands of years old, it has not been fully recognized by Western medicine.
Ayurveda observes symptoms as indicators, identifies the source of ailments, and allows us to restore our well-being through tailored techniques that are natural and adapted to each individual's constitution. It is a traditional medicine that puts things in order and reveals our potential for complete health.
Ayurveda treats all ailments in depth and is for everyone, whether they feel good or unbalanced. Its benefits are both preventive and curative. In summary, Ayurveda:
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Calms the nervous system, body, and mind.
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Contributes to the expulsion of toxins from the body.
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Facilitates the natural regeneration and defense mechanisms of the body.
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Promotes the circulation of energy.
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Improves digestion.
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In short, Ayurveda can help improve your daily well-being!
How does the first Ayurvedic consultation take place?
The first consultation begins with an Ayurvedic assessment to determine your native constitution (the original combination of your doshas) and your state of imbalance.
Similar to allopathic medicine, the assessment is based on observation, touch, and questioning:
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Examination of pulse, tongue, eyes, skin, and nails;
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Information on your lifestyle habits, the state of your digestion and elimination (stool, urine, sweat), your diet, your sleep, and your mental and emotional functioning;
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Consideration of your medical history.
At the end of the assessment, the Ayurvedic practitioner determines a personalized program to rectify the imbalances during the next sessions. This program may include:
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Advice on lifestyle and nutrition
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Body treatments and massages
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The use of food supplements or spices
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Physical (postures) or mental (breathing, relaxation) exercises
The choice of method depends on the specific knowledge of the practitioner. The frequency of the sessions also depends on the practitioner according to the initial assessment carried out.
The goal is to gradually integrate the advice of the Ayurvedic doctor to make gentle changes to your lifestyle.