Ayurveda is the most ancient science of healing known to man. It's roots are in the hearts of the enlightened and with their clear inner vision they could perceive reality in it's purest form and thus was born this Veda (science) of Ayu (life). Ayurveda is a path to discover God, not just a medical system. Through health one can discover the deep bliss of being and it's eternity. Everything is a medicine in Ayurveda, nothing is spared from it's all encompasing vision. Balance is the key to good health, modern life is very much going against this very simple understanding that underlies all nature Herself. Through Ayurveda one can manage a disease before it ever becomes a symptom - one has knowledge to understand the physical world and it's qualities and effects. Milk is cool and white and hence will increase Kapha dosha (earth and water elements as they manifest in the body) but now if we boil it with a little saffron it's quality has changed and thus one is initiated into this alchemy we call Ayurveda. Ayurvedic medicine is based on this very philosophy of restoring balance, harmony, purity and ultimately joy. When the body is healthy (in balance and all systems functioning correctly), then joy is experienced, this is the very joy that is our nature. Imbalance and illhealth cloud this natural joy. So everyone everywhere can begin this amazing journey called Ayurveda, a journey to health and a journey within.
Ayurvedic medicine - (also called Ayurveda ) is one of the world's oldest medical systems. It originated in India and has evolved there over thousands of years. In the United States, Ayurveda is considered Complementary and Alternative Medicine (C.A.M. )-more specifically, a CAM whole medical system Many therapies used in Ayurveda are also used on their own as CAM--for example, herbs, massagePressing, rubbing, and moving muscles and other soft tissues of the body, primarily by using the hands and fingers. The aim is to increase the flow of blood and oxygen to the massaged area., and yoga. This Backgrounder will introduce you to Ayurveda's major ideas and practices and provide sources for more information on these and other CAM therapies.
CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine. Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine, and alternative medicine is practiced in place of conventional medicine. Conventional medicine is medicine as practiced by holders of M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degrees and by their allied health professionals, such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses. Some health care providers practice both CAM and conventional medicine.
1. What is Ayurvedic medicine?
Ayurvedic medicine is also called Ayurveda. It is a system of medicine that originated in India several thousand years ago. The term Ayurveda combines two Sanskrit words--ayur, which means life, and veda, which means science or knowledge. Ayurveda means "the science of life."
In the United States, Ayurveda is considered a type of CAM and a whole medical system. As with other such systems, it is based on theories of health and illness and on ways to prevent, manage, or treat health problems. Ayurveda aims to integrate and balance the body, mind, and spirit (thus, some view it as "holistic"). This balance is believed to lead to contentment and health, and to help prevent illness. However, Ayurveda also proposes treatments for specific health problems, whether they are physical or mental. A chief aim of Ayurvedic practices is to cleanse the body of substances that can cause disease, and this is believed to help reestablish harmony and balance.
2. What is the history of Ayurvedic medicine?
Ayurveda is based on ideas from Hinduism, one of the world's oldest and largest religions. Some Ayurvedic ideas also evolved from ancient Persian thoughts about health and healing.
Many Ayurvedic practices were handed down by word of mouth and were used before there were written records. Two ancient books, written in Sanskrit on palm leaves more than 2,000 years ago, are thought to be the first texts on Ayurveda--Caraka Samhita and Susruta Samhita. They cover many topics, including:
Ayurveda has long been the main system of health care in India, although conventional (Western) medicine is becoming more widespread there, especially in urban areas. About 70 percent of India's population lives in rural areas; about two-thirds of rural people still use Ayurveda and medicinal plants to meet their primary health care needs. In addition, most major cities have an Ayurvedic college and hospital. Ayurveda and variations of it have also been practiced for centuries in Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Tibet. The professional practice of Ayurveda in the United States began to grow and became more visible in the late 20th century.
3. How common is the use of Ayurveda in the United States?
The first national data to answer this question are from a survey released in May 2004 by the National Center for Health Statistics and the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). More than 31,000 adult Americans were surveyed about their use of CAM, including specific CAM therapies such as Ayurveda. Among the respondents, four-tenths of 1 percent had ever used Ayurveda, and one-tenth of 1 percent had used it in the past 12 months. When these percentages are adjusted to nationally representative numbers, about 751,000 people in the United States had ever used Ayurveda, and 154,000 people had used it within the past 12 months.
Practitioners of Ayurveda in the United States have various types of training. Some are trained in the Western medical tradition (such as medical or nursing school) and then study Ayurveda. Others may have training in naturopathic medicineA whole medical system that originated in Europe. Naturopathy aims to support the body's ability to heal itself through the use of dietary and lifestyle changes together with CAM therapies such as herbs, massage, and joint manipulation., a whole medical system, either before or after their Ayurvedic training. Many study in India, where there are more than 150 undergraduate and more than 30 postgraduate colleges for Ayurveda. This training can take up to 5 years.
Students who receive all of their Ayurvedic training in India can earn either a bachelor's or doctoral degree. After graduation, they may go to the United States or other countries to practice. Some practitioners are trained in a particular aspect of Ayurvedic practice--for example, massage or meditation--but not in others, such as preparing botanicalA plant or part of a plant used for its flavor, scent, or potential therapeutic properties. Includes flowers, leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, stems, and roots. treatments.
The United States has no national standard for certifying or training Ayurvedic practitioners, although a few states have approved Ayurvedic schools. Some Ayurvedic professional organizations are collaborating to develop licensing requirements.
Consumers interested in Ayurveda should be aware that not every practitioner offering services or treatments called "Ayurvedic" has been trained in an Ayurvedic medical school. Services offered at spas and salons, for example, often fall into this category. If you are seeking Ayurvedic medical treatment, it is important to ask about the practitioner's training and experience (see the NCCAM fact sheet "Selecting a CAM Practitioner").
5. How are plant products used in Ayurvedic treatment?
In Ayurveda, the distinction between food and medicine is not as clear as in Western medicineMedicine as practiced by holders of M.D. (medical doctor) or D.O. (doctor of osteopathy) degrees and by their allied health professionals such as physical therapists, psychologists, and registered nurses.. Food and diet are important components of Ayurvedic practice, and so there is a heavy reliance on treatments based on herbs and plants, oils (such as sesame oil), common spices (such as turmeric), and other naturally occurring substances.
Currently, some 5,000 products are included in the "pharmacy" of Ayurvedic treatments. In recent years, the Indian government has collected and published safety information on a small number of them. Historically, plant compounds have been grouped into categories according to their effects. For example, some compounds are thought to heal, promote vitality, or relieve pain. The compounds are described in many texts prepared through national medical agencies in India.
Below are a few examples of how some botanicals (plants and their products) have been or are currently used in treatment. In some cases, these may be mixed with metals.
Yes, NCCAM supports studies in this area. For example:
About Dietary Supplements
A dietary supplement must meet all of the following conditions:
Other important information about dietary supplements:
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