Ayurveda,
the treatment method that originated in India about 5000 years is now regaining its past glory through global acclamation.
The word Ayurveda is a combination of two Sanskrit words–
ayur (life) + veda (science)
-and the word roughly translates into the science of life.
Ayurveda principles are based on living in strict harmony with nature. According to Ayurvedic principles, diseases are caused when someone loses the balance between nature, mind, body and soul.
Ayurveda is also known as Ashtanga Veda (science with eight branches) because Ayurveda is classified into eight different branches of treatment-
- Kaya Chikitsa (general medicine),
- Kaumara Bhritya (pediatrics),
- Graha Chikitsa (psychology),
- Shalakya Chikitsa (Treatment for diseases of eye, nose, throat, eye and head),
- Shalya Tantra (technique of Surgery),
- Agada Tantra (Toxicology),
- Rasayana Chikitsa (Rejuvenation treatment)
- Vajeekarana Chikitsa (Aphrodisiac Treatment).
The main concept of Ayurveda is that everything is composed of Panchabhootas (Akash, Bhoomi, Jal, vayu, and agni). These five bhootas combine to form three doshas or tridoshas {Vata (akash and vayu), Pitta(agni and jal) and kapha(jal and bhoomi)}.
Ayurvedic treatment consists of four basic forms medication, panchakarma, dietary regulation and lifestyle regulation.
Medication is the application of medicines, dietary regime includes the control of food habits for proper health, panchakarma is five different karmas or systems of Ayurvedic therapy and lifestyle control. They all work as both cure and prevention methods.
Panchakarma is the most important of all treatment methods. It is a process of careful expelling of toxins or excess doshas from the body system. Panchakarma mainly focuses to regain the natural healing power of body.
