Ayurveda is an alternative healing system with its roots in India. Ayurveda and history have been intertwined together for many years. In the history of the Ayurvedic system, it is documented that this traditional system is well organized and effective in healing various health problems. It works on both preventive and curative methods of treatment.
According to modern Ayurvedic health sources, it is learned that Ayurveda originated in the Indus Valley Civilization around 6000 years ago. Today Ayurveda is used as a favored healing system, especially in India, where today a large percentage of the population uses allopathy medicines to treat their health problems.
Because of the preventive and curative healing properties of Ayurveda, the preventive aspect emphasizes personal hygiene, social hygiene, body detoxification, and rehearsing yoga. And the therapeutic or curative method of Ayurvedic treatment involves a healthy diet, a healthy lifestyle, the use of herbal remedies, and engaging in exercise.
Ayurveda and History of Ayurvedic Health System
In Ayurveda and in the history of the Ayurvedic health care system, Dhanvantari is attributed to Ayurveda. In Hindu mythology, Dhanvantari is a physician to God, and he received this gift from Lord Brahma. The concept of Ayurveda is stated in the Atharvaveda. The Vedas are a way of life, telling us how to cure various health problems and to eradicate evil or demons traditionally. Some of the main health problems explained in the Vedas are cough, constipation, fever, diarrhea, edema, dermatitis, tumors, seizures, etc. Ayurveda has many natural herbs and a history of Ayurvedic health care systems to cure all these health conditions.
Principles and Terminology of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is known as “the study of information about existence and life”. In Ayurveda, suppressing natural urges is unhealthy, and this habit of suppression leads to various health issues.
According to Ayurveda, the body of a human being is made of seven Dhatus (tissues), males (waste), and three Dosha (biomaterials). The seven Dhatus responsible for making a human body are Rasa (plasma), Rakta (blood), Mamsa (muscles), Meda (fat), Asthi (bones), Majja (bone marrow), and Shukra (semen).
Historically in Ayurveda and history, the human body has been divided into five elements – earth, water, space, fire, and air.
- The three doshas of a human body are:
- Vata dosha: It is a combination of air and space, and it controls the functions of the nervous system.
- Bile Dosha: It is a fiery energy and controls the activity of enzymes.
- Kapha Dosha: It is a combination of Earth and water and provides lubrication to body parts or tissues.
Branches Of Ayurveda
Ayurveda has eight branches and a history of the Ayurvedic health care system. These are:
Kayachikitasa (Internal Medicines), Kumara Bhrtya (Pediatrics), Salyatantra (Removing Foreign Bodies through Minor Surgery), Shalakyatantra (ENT), Bhutavidya (Psychiatry), Agadatantra (Toxicology), Rasayantantra (Rejuvenation), Vajikaranatantra (Treatment of the Reproductive System).
Treatment and Prevention of Diseases in Ayurveda
Two branches of Ayurveda’s eight branches work on minor surgical procedures to prevent or cure the diseases. So the other six work on improving your metabolism, digestive process, and excretion process. Ayurveda and history have seen that its main focus is on yoga, meditation and exercise, with a Satvik diet (vegetarian food only).
Ayurveda follows Dinacharya to improve the lifestyle of man. Dinacharya is a natural cycle (walking, running, working, sleeping, doing yoga and meditation), and is necessary to stay healthy. Hygiene (bathing, teeth cleaning, nail-biting, skincare, eyelash, and oil pulling) also plays an important role in keeping you healthy and free from diseases. These practices, along with natural herbs cure health problems like turmeric, myrrh, ashwagandha, shankhpushpi, triphala, saffron, asparagus, Brahmi, purnava, cardamom, long pepper, ginger, black pepper, and manjistha.
According to Ayurveda, Panchkarma therapy is useful in the prevention and curing of various health problems. This method relies on many techniques to remove toxins from the body and diseases caused by harmful bacteria and viruses. Here are some of the steps of Panchakarma therapy:
- Snehana
- Swedana
- Vamana
- Virechana
- Shodhana
- Basti
- Nasya
- Ratamokshana
You can find more information about Ayurveda and its history along with how Ayurveda works on the injured cell to eradicate diseases from the body.
