Ayurvedic Treatments and Remedies

Ayurveda is known as a holistic healing science which comprises of two words, Ayu and Veda. Ayu means life and Veda means knowledge or science. So literally Ayurveda mean science of life. Ayurveda is a science which not only deals with the treatment of some diseases but it is a complete way of life. Ayurvedic treatments have been in practice from ages but it has been increasingly accepted in many parts of India as well as internationally.

Principles of Ayurveda

In Ayurveda India (India is the country where Ayurveda started) Ayurveda is bestowed upon us by our ancestors. Ayurveda is health preventive, curative as well as nutritive. The two principle objectives of Ayurveda are:

• Swasthyas swasthya rakshanam: It means to prolong life and promote perfect health.

• Aturasya vikar prashamanamcha: it means to completely eradicate the disease and dysfunction of the body.

In order to understand ayurvedic treatment, it is necessary to have an idea on how the ayurvedic system views the body. Parana is the basic life force in the body, also found in the elements.

Ayurveda comprises of five basic elements that contain prana: earth, water, fire, air and ether. These elements interact with each other and are further organized in the human body as the three main categories that govern all the bodily functions known as doshas. The three dos-has are known as vata, pitta and kapha. In Ayurveda, usually a disease is viewed as a state of imbalance in one or more of a person’s doshas.

Ayurvedic treatments

All the ayurvedic treatments are carried on at the Arya Vaidya Chikitsalayam (ayurveda hospital) under the guidance of experienced physicians as well as trained therapists. Some of the treatments are listed below:

• Abhyangam: It is an application of oil on head and body followed by gentle massage of body by a trained therapist. In this treatment the patient is on the table and is made to take seven positions like sitting, lying on back and side etc. It is performed as a single treatment and as a preparation for or along with major treatments.

• Pichu: Pichu is an external oil application which is superior to abhyanga It is done only to the affected parts, like head, and low back. A dry cotton cloth of the size of the palm is taken and a hole is made in the center of the folded cloth to pour oil periodically. The duration of the treatment differs according to the condition and the treatment along which it is done.

There are numerous benefits of Ayurveda for a person. It is a good alternative for those who are bored with the same medicines and want to try out a new and efficient treatment.