Ayurveda

Ayurveda is not just a system of treating illness; it is a science of life. The term ‘Ayurveda’ combines the Sanskrit words Ayur (life) and Veda (science or knowledge). Thus, Ayurveda means ‘the science of life’.

It offers a body of wisdom designed to help people stay vital while realizing their full human potential. Providing procedure on daily and seasonal routines, diet, behavior and use of senses, Ayurveda emphasizes the health is the balanced and dynamic amalgamation between our environment, body, mind, and spirit.

All about Ayurveda

Ayurveda stands for ‘Science of Life’, the most ancient structure of human life. It is the oldest medical system in the world and considered to be the old science of health that enhances and emphasizes the longevity of life. The Ayurveda teaches us in a theoretical system illustrated by balance and disorder, health and disease. Here, an individual’s mind or emotional being is hooked and any kind of imbalance between them results in health disorders, diseases and stress. Therefore, to be healthy in our day-to-day, this synchronization must exist for healing, thoughts, feelings and physical action.

Health and disease are defined very well in Ayurveda that life is a manifestation of mind, body and spirit. Body and mind are prone to suffering, thus to remain healthy, efforts required to be taken for maintaining synchronization among all the elements and then only one can get longevity and disease-free life.

Science of Ayurveda

Ayurvedic science is not only traditional Indian medicine form but also a long-lasting naturopathic healthcare system that has continued to be effective over and above modern science and treatments methods.

In Ayurveda, there is a complete synchronization of the human body with the five elements of nature and the environment to live a relaxed and healthy life. The Ayurveda not only cope with the medical science but also it goes beyond the traditional science scope including factors like herbal medicine, human body works, surgical treatments and intellectual life of humans.

Concepts of Ayurveda

Ayurvedic medicine has several key foundations that pertain to health and disease. These concepts have to do with universal interconnectedness, the body’s constitution (prakriti), and life forces (doshas) interconnectedness. Ideas about the relationships among people, their health, and the universe form the basis for how Ayurvedic practitioners think about problems that affect health. Ayurvedic medicine holds that:

All things in the universe (both living and nonliving) are joined together.
Every human being contains elements that can be found in the universe.
Health will be good if one’s mind and body are in harmony, and one’s interaction with the universe is natural and wholesome.
Disease arises when a person is out of harmony with the universe. Disruptions can be physical, emotional, spiritual, or a combination of these.

Ayurvedic Body Types

According to Ayurveda, everyone has an exclusive mix of three Doshas composing psychological, physical and spiritual well-being. These Doshas are categorized as Vata (air-ether), Kapha (water-earth) and Pitta (water). Every individual has its own Ayurvedic constitution or mixed constitution of Doshas and is usually govern by one or two of the Doshas predominantly like as – Vata & Kapha, Kapha & Pitta or Vata & Pitta.

Kapha Dosha:

Kapha dosha manages all structure and lubrication of individual’s mind and body.

Holds the cells together and form the muscle, fat, bone, and sinew and controls weight, growth, lubrication for the joints and lungs, and formation of all the seven tissues — fats, blood, nutritive fluids, muscles, bones, marrow and reproductive tissues

Helps build excellent stamina but when it goes out of balance it can also cause a person to become overweight, sleep excessively, and suffer from the problem of diabetes, asthma and depression.

Pitta Dosha:

Pitta dosha manages digestion, metabolism, and energy production

Pitta has the transformation as primary function

Pittas have a lustrous complexion, perfect digestion, abundant energy, and a strong appetite

When Pitta dosha is imbalanced, the person may suffer from skin rashes, burning sensations, peptic ulcers, excessive body heat, heartburn, and indigestion.

Vata Dosha:

Vata dosha is known to manage all the mind and body movements like controlling the blood flow to eliminate the waste and harmful toxins,

This dosha is a dominant force that minimizes stress and feeds the creativity within the body.

If the Vata dosha is balanced, the person will feel energetic, enthusiastic and lively, but if imbalanced, the problems like constipation, hypertension, fatigue, digestive challenges and restlessness among others are caused.

How Ayurveda Works?

To start with, we need to have a basic understanding of Ayurveda. There are few foundational tools to understand the laws of nature in Ayurveda and identify various states of balance and imbalances of health and provide the treatment accordingly.

The Twenty Qualities

Ayurveda identifies twenty qualities known as the Gunas used to describe every substance. These qualities are organized into the opposite ten pairs such as:

Heavy Light

Slow (Dull) Sharp (Penetrating)

Cold Hot

Oily Dry

Smooth Rough

Dense Liquid

Soft Hard

Stable Mobile

Gross Subtle

Cloudy (Sticky) Clear

The Gunas are an essential principle to understand in Ayurveda. The gunas are basically to balance the body with opposite conditions that are in our surroundings.

The three Doshas in Ayurveda– Vata, Pitta and Kapha – embody a particular element’s combinations and qualities and create a functional entity or force. The Doshas and Gunas are essential part of Ayurveda, as they are necessary to facilitate important body and physiological functions.

Panchamahabhutas – Five Great Elements

In Ayurveda, five elements- Earth, Water, Fire, Air & Ether (Space) are recognized as the fundamental building blocks of nature. Collectively these elements are called as Panchmahabhutas. It is believed in Ayurveda that every cell, every substance and that the universe is made up of these elements. Panchmahabhutas are considered to be the foundation of Ayurveda and plays a vital role in understanding the function and movement of the human body.

Ayurveda for Everyday Life

At Nirvana Health Clinic, we believe in Ayurveda three main applications – Healing, Prevention and Healthcare. We promote living a balanced life by bringing healthy and natural lifestyle changes.

Ayurveda is best described as the art of living in harmony with the laws of nature. An ancient Indian system of natural and holistic medicine, it promotes living a balanced life by bringing about healthy and natural lifestyle changes. The age-old wisdom contained in Ayurveda is as relevant today as it was back in the time. Ayurveda and its principles can easily be adapted to today’s fast-paced life to maintain and lead a healthy, stress-free and balanced life. At Nirvana Health Clinic, we focus on prevention that helps to maintain healthy living rather than restoring.

Ayurveda gives more importance to one’s ‘Prakriti’ – the lifestyle, eating habits and day-to-day routine. With the small and minor changes in our everyday life helps us to stay healthy. In Ayurveda, it is recommended to drink a lot of water throughout the day as it helps to flush out harmful toxins from our body.

Benefits of Ayurveda Based Lifestyle

Increases immunity
All natural
No side-effects
Recommends eating foods that are easily available, non-toxic & aids in healing
Removes diseases from the root
Improves bodily functions
Helps maintain a healthy weight
Increases one’s lifespan
Relaxes rejuvenates & revitalizes

Nirvana Health Clinic practitioner will have a look at your ‘Prakriti’ or nature and check for the part that is creating an imbalance in life, eating habits, and work-life and routine schedule. Based on this analysis, our Practitioner will provide you with basic therapeutic treatment. We help you to rebalance and rejuvenate your life in nature.

Ayurvedic Medicine in India

Ayurvedic medicine, as practiced in India, is one of the oldest systems of medicine in the world. Many Ayurvedic practices predate written records and were handed down by word of mouth. Two ancient books, written in Sanskrit more than 2,000 years ago, are considered the main texts on Ayurvedic medicine—Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. The texts describe eight branches of Ayurvedic medicine.

Kaya Chikitsa (Medicine)
Shalya Tantra (Surgery)
Shalakya Tantra (Ophthalmology& ENT)
Prasooti Tantra & Stri rog (Gynaecology & Obstetric)
Bal Roga(Paediatrics)
Agad Tantra & Vyavahar Ayurved (Jurisprudence & Toxicology)
Bhoot Vidya Or Grah (Science of Demonic Seizures Psychology)
Rasyana & Vajikaran Tantra (science of Rejuvenation & Aphrodisiacs)

Ayurvedic medicine continues to be practiced in India, where nearly 80 percent of the population uses it exclusively or combined with conventional (Western) medicine. It is also practiced in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan.

Ayurvedic Treatment

Ayurvedic treatment is tailored to each person’s Constitution (prakriti). Ayurvedic medicine also has specific beliefs about the body’s constitution. Constitution refers to a person’s general health, the likelihood of becoming out of balance, and the ability to resist and recover from disease or other health problems. The constitution is called the prakriti. The prakriti is a person’s unique combination of physical and psychological characteristics and the way the body functions to maintain health. It is influenced by such factors as digestion and how the body deals with waste products. The prakriti is believed to be unchanged over a person’s lifetime.

Practitioners expect patients to be active participants because many Ayurvedic treatments require changes in diet, lifestyle, and habits.

The patient’s dosha balance: Ayurvedic practitioners first determine the patient’s primary dosha and the balance among the three doshas by:

Asking about diet, behavior, lifestyle practices, recent illnesses (including reasons and symptoms), and resilience (ability to recover quickly from illness or setbacks)
Observing such physical characteristics as teeth and tongue, skin, eyes, weight, and overall appearance

Treatment practices

Ayurvedic treatment goals include eliminating impurities, reducing symptoms, increasing resistance to disease, and reducing worry and increasing harmony in the patient’s life. The practitioner uses a variety of methods to achieve these goals:

Eliminating impurities: A process called panchakarma is intended to cleanse the body by eliminating ama. Ama is described as an undigested food that sticks to tissues, interferes with normal functioning of the body, and leads to disease. Panchakarma focuses on eliminating ama through the digestive tract and the respiratory system. Enemas, massage, medical oils administered in a nasal spray, and other methods may be used.
Reducing symptoms: The practitioner may suggest various options, including physical exercises, stretching, breathing exercises, meditation, massage, lying in the sun, and changing the diet. The patient may take certain herbs—often with honey, to make them easier to digest. Sometimes diets are restricted to certain foods. Very small amounts of metal and mineral preparations, such as gold or iron, also may be given.
Increasing resistance to disease: The practitioner may combine several herbs, proteins, minerals, and vitamins in tonics to improve digestion and increase appetite and immunity. These tonics are based on formulas from ancient texts.
Reducing worry and increasing harmony: Ayurvedic medicine emphasizes mental nurturing and spiritual healing. Practitioners may recommend avoiding situations that cause worry and using techniques that promote release of negative emotions.
Use of plants: Ayurvedic treatments rely heavily on herbs and other plants—including oils and common spices. Currently, more than 600 herbal formulas and 250 single plant drugs are included in the “pharmacy” of Ayurvedic treatments. Historically, Ayurvedic medicine has grouped plant compounds into categories according to their effects (for example, healing, promoting vitality, or relieving pain). The compounds are described in texts issued by national medical agencies in India. Sometimes, botanicals are mixed with metals or other naturally occurring substances to make formulas prepared according to specific Ayurvedic text procedures; such preparations involve several herbs and herbal extracts and precise heat treatment.