You might have heard of Ayurvedic medicine and wondered what the buzz is about. Can it really help improve your health and balance your nutrition? What is ayurvedic medicine and how did it get so popular?
Ayurveda is the oldest known system of medicine. It was developed over 5,000 years ago in India, where it continues to be practiced today. Ayurveda is based on the belief that everything in nature is interconnected, and that disease is caused by imbalances in our body’s natural state of harmony.
Ayurveda teaches us to look at the whole person rather than just their symptoms, and it aims to heal imbalances, cure diseases, and lead people to healthier lifestyles. Read on to find out how.
Where Did Ayurvedic Medicine Begin?
The earliest known text on ayurvedic medicine is from the Vedic Period.
Ayurvedic practices have their origin in ancient India, where they were used to promote wellbeing in both humans and animals. Practitioners are highly trained individuals who have undergone years of rigorous training to practice ayurveda.
The word ayurveda means “knowledge of life” and refers to the knowledge of how to live well. Ayurvedic medicine focuses on treating the root cause of illness rather than just symptoms.Ayurvedic medicines are derived from botanicals, minerals, animal products, and more. They have potent properties that promote overall wellness in an individual.
Where Is Ayurvedic Medicine Practiced Today?
The practitioners of ayurvedic medicine are called ‘ayurvedics.’ This was the name given to these practitioners by the Westerners when they first came to India and saw these Indian physicians working in perfect health and decided to learn and adopt these practices themselves.
Today, it is practiced all over the world. It is an inexpensive form of alternative medicine with potent properties that promotes wellness in both humans and animals. While ayurvedic medicines have their origin in ancient India, there are several ayruvdicians worldwide.
From India and the US to London and China. Practitioners can be found everywhere who use these natural methods to promote overall wellbeing in their patients.
What Is Ayurvedic Medicine Used For?
The first step in learning more about ayurveda is understanding what it is. Ayurveda is a different approach to healing than most may be used to, but it’s something people use without even realizing it; it looks at the body as a whole and not just its physical parts.
Ayurvedic medicine is holistic; it takes into account the:
- Mind
- Emotions
- Spirit
- Physical body
It teaches people to take care of themselves and to look after their bodies, minds, and souls.
It views the body as a reflection of the soul and considers the body’s imbalances to be a result of imbalance in the mind and/or spirit. Ayurveda offers several ways to heal the body, one way is through diet.
Ayurvedic practices emphasize nature, balance, and wellness in all aspects of life. Ayurvedic medicines are derived from botanicals, minerals, animal products, and more. They have potent properties that promote overall wellness in an individual.
Ayurveda believes, and studies have shown, that if we want to heal ourselves, the answers can be found in nature. A diet based on the needs of each individual will help balance the body, and that’s where ayurvedic medicine comes in.
3 Examples of Ayurvedic Medicine
Ayurvedic medicine says each individual has a unique combination of three humors.
They include:
- Vata, which deals with mental capacity, aims to reduce stress and issues like insomnia while promoting creativity and quick thinking. Those suffering from issues like anxiety would greatly benefit from these remedies.
- Pitta, the second principal aims to improve the functions of your gut and digestive process. If you’re struggling with stomach issues, pitta based medicines could help you out
- Kapha. Finally, this focus relies on bodily functions such as healthy nutrition and a balanced ayurvedic diet. You could find yourself losing weight and getting sick less often by following these medications.
When these three humors become imbalanced they cause disease. Ayurveda views the body as a microcosm of the universe. Everything in nature is interconnected, and everything affects everything else.
1. Vata: Pacifying Herbs
Vata is the first dosha (energy) in ayurveda.
Vata is responsible for movement, speech, and thought. Vata pacifying herbs help balance vata dosha and reduce excessive mental activity. These herbs are useful for people who have anxiety, insomnia, and hyperactivity.
Some examples are:
- Ginger
- Cardamom
- Fennel
- Chamomile
Now, let’s see what pitta is.
2. Pitta: Pacifying Foods
Pitta is the second dosha in ayurveda and is responsible for digestion, metabolism, and excretion.
Pitta pacifying herbs help balance pitta dosha and reduce excess metabolic processes. These herbs are useful to treat conditions like indigestion, diarrhea, and constipation.
You can find these in:
- Milk
- Coconut
- Almonds
- Dates
Keep reading to learn the meaning of Kapha.
3. Kapha: Pacifying Herbs
Kapha is the third dosha in ayurveda and is responsible for nutrition, reproduction, and immunity.
Kapha pacifying herbs help balance kapha dosha and increase appetite, fertility, and immune system. These herbs are useful in treating conditions like obesity, infertility, and diabetes.
These herbs can help you with this:
- Basil
- Cinnamon
- Warm spices
Now, how important is nutrition in this medicinal practice?
How Important Is Nutrition In Ayurvedic Medicine?
Ayurvedics believe that food is medicine. When we eat, we ingest certain elements of the earth that help us stay healthy. We can use these same elements to nourish our own bodies.
Nutrition is critically important to these concepts because everything we eat comes back to aid or hinder us later.
Too much or too little of anything can lead to imbalance, and ayurvedic medicine seeks to correct these imbalances and bring our bodies to a more perfect state, using what tools the world has already given us.
Concluding Thoughts
Ayurvedic practices emphasize nature, balance, and wellness in all aspects of life. It is a system of practical knowledge derived from ancient medical texts and applied by renowned practitioners to maintain health and well-being.
The more we learn about our bodies, the easier it is to see how imbalances can cause issues that lead to unhealthy lives. Ayurvedic medicine is a solution to these issues that can bring us closer to perfect harmony with our own bodies.