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The
aims of AYURVEDA are:
:: To prevent
diseases
:: To treat
and cure diseases
Both
of which are aimed towards the promotion of health on three
levels:
:: Mentally
:: Physically
:: Spiritually |
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EIGHT
BRANCHES OF AYURVEDA
Ayurveda looks at diseases as a state of disharmony in the body
as a whole, and is divided into eight branches, which are:
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::
Kaya Chikitsa
:: Bala Chikitsa
:: Graha Chikitsa
:: Shalakya Tantra
:: Shalya Tantra
:: Agada
Tantra
:: Vajikarana
:: Rasayana |
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- Internal Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Psychological Medicine
- Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Ophthalmology
- Surgery
- Toxicology
- Sexology
- Rejuvenation |
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PANCHAMAHABHUTA
According to ancient vedic scientific thinking, all matter
in the universe is made up from no matter to matter, which
is constantly changing from one form to another. They
are known as ‘PANCHAMAHABHUTA’. The five elements
are:
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::
APO
::
THEJO
:: VAYU
:: PRUTHUVI
:: AKASHA |
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–
–
–
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Meaning
liquid, creating the taste sensation (rasa), its
sensory organ being the tongue
Meaning heat, creating the visual impute of colour
(rupa), its sensory organ being the eyes
Meaning air, creating the physical sensation of
touch (sparsha), its sensory organ being skin
Meaning earth, creating the sensation of smell and
odour (gandha), its organ being the nose
Meaning space, creating the auditory sensation of
sound (sharsda), its origin being the ear
These are the basic foundations and principles upon
which Ayurveda lies. All five elements having a
key role in our lives, since our bodies are composed
of these MAHABHUTAS (the five elements) |
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THREE
DOSHAS
In addition, life is considered a union of body, mind and soul.
There are three body types according to individual dominance,
known as the THREE DOSHAS. |
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::
VATA
:: PITTA
:: KAPHA |
–
Air
– Bile
– Phlegm |
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Dhatus consists of seven different body tissue types. Malas
are the three types of body excretions. |
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VATA
This initiates and promotes biological activity responsible
for all internal and external movements of the body.
:: Prana (Head)
the main life force – breathing
:: Udana (Throat)
supporting glandular functions
:: Samana (Stomach
and Duodenum) supporting gastric functions
:: Vyana (Heart
and Blood vessels) supporting circulatory functions
:: Apana (Semen/Feces/Urine)
supporting elimination |
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PITTA
This is responsible for the generation of body heat and metabolism
and certain psychological attributes of the individual.
KAPHA
The main function of is to maintain healthy body tissues and
maintain the balance of fat, water and other fluids.
These
elements must exist in dynamic equilibrium to help maintain
body ‘PRAKRUTI’, meaning the original balance
of the individual’s dosha inheritance. Any disturbance
to any one of the doshas causes imbalance and malfunction,
resulting in the manifestation of disease. |
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Ayurvedic
understanding of the disease process
The doshas may change their proportional balance as a result
of a variety of factors, such as, inappropriate lifestyle,
diet, activities, trauma, mental and physical, which are mainly
brought about by the lack of understanding about our own bodies.
When there is a change-taking place within us, which is pre-clinical
in its developmental stage, it may take a very long period
of time for signs and symptoms to appear. Very often, when
there is a change-taking place, disease may take a path along
the inherited weak areas of the individual.
Sometimes, in some individuals, disease may set in the body
beyond their own control, they are known as ‘KARMIC
DISEASES’ due to the theory of cause and effect.
Ayurvedic
medications are mostly herbal preparations and some include
natural mineral preparations. All herbs or minerals possess
the following properties according to Ayurveda. |
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::
RASA
:: GUNA
:: VIRYA
:: VIPAKA
:: PRABHAVA
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–
Taste
– Quality
– Potency (Heating or cooling effects)
– Effect after digestion and metabolism
– Specific power of the substance |
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In
general, all herbs have the power to increase or decrease
the three doshas, Vata, Pitta or Kapha, to different extents
and in different combinations.
Classical Ayurveda applies theory into practice. Firstly,
by diagnosing an alteration of Dosha State, the physician
will then prescribe suitable herbs in single or combined form,
with the appropriate dosage to control ailments.
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PANCHAKARMA
This is a sub-section of Ayurveda, which entails five different
types of activities aimed towards detoxification, mainly for
the prevention and control of diseases. They are:
:: Virechana
– Purgation Therapy
:: Bastis (classified
as Niruna and Anuvasana)
:: Herbal and/or
oil decoction enemas
:: Vamana –
Emesis Therapy
:: Nasya –
Inhalation
:: Rakta Moksha
– Blood letting
(Although classically considered the fifth of the five actions,
it is sometimes omitted and the two forms of bastis are classified
separately to make up the number of actions to five)
Ayurveda
recommends detoxification programs once every season for normal
individuals as a way of preparing the body for the next season,
thus aiding the preventative aspect of this healing system. |
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