AYURVEDA / YOGA

There are two main objectives of Ayurveda : • (a.) 'Swasthasya swasthya rakshanam' – to maintain the health of healthy and • (b.) 'Aturasya vikar prashamanamcha' – to pacify the diseases of diseased.

•Ayurveda has eight main branches & many sub- branches, Main Branches • Kaya Chikitsa (Internal medicine) • Kaumar Bhritya (Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology) • Griha Chikitsa (Psychiatry) • Shalakya Tantra (Diseases of Eye, Ear, Nose, Throat) • Shalya Tantra (Surgery) • Agadatantra (Toxicology) • Rasayana (Rejuvanetion & Geriatric care) • Vajikarana (Andrology)

The Ayurvedic view of a healthy person is: • Samadosha, Samagnischa, Samadhatumalkriyah, Prasannatmendriyamanah, Swastha iti abhidhiyate. (Sushrut Samhita, Sutrasthan, Chapter 15, Shloka 10) 'He whose doshas (Bodily humours) are in balance, appetite is good, all tissues of the body and all natural urges are functioning properly, and whose body, mind, and spirit (self) are cheerful or full of bliss, is the state of health.'

The Universe, according to Ayurved is composed of five basic elements The ‘Panch Mahabhootas’ namely • Aakash (space), • Vayu (initiating force for all actions), • Agni (transforming energy), • Aapa (cohesion energy) and • Prithvi (base or ground force). The human body is similarly constituted, there is fundamental harmony between universe and man, a healthy balance between the microcosm and macrocosm. The sixth mandatory component of life is Atma (spirit) without which life doesn’t exist. • Ayurveda believes in the theory of tridosha (Bodily Humours) i.e. Vata, Pitta and kapha, • Theory of sapta dhatu i.e. Rasa (body fluids), Rakta (Blood cells), Mamsa (Muscular tissue), Meda (Fatty tissue), Asthi (Bone & Joints), Majja (Bone marrow) and Shukra (Semen) & Ojas (Vital essence) and • Theory of Trimalas i.e. Mutra (Urine), Purisha (Faeces) and Sveda (Sweat). • The balanced state of all these factors is called health and when this balance is disturbed it results in a disease.

According to Ayurveda health is the dynamic integration of environment, Body, mind and spirit. Ayurved lays great emphasis on preservation and promotion of health thereby preventing the diseases. Elaborated description is available on personal hygiene, which includes: • Dinacharya - daily regimen, • Aahar - Diet • Ritucharya Seasonal routine and • Achara Rasayana -Behavioral & ethical essential practices. • Observance of certain rules regarding suppressible and non-suppressible urges also paves way towards positive health.

• As per Ayurvedic principles the diagnosis is based on two fold manner: • Rogi Priksha (examination of the Patient) • Roga Pariksha (examination of the disease) • Rogi Priksha is essentially concerned with ascertaining the constitution of the individual and status of his health and vitality. This is achieved through ten fold methodology - Dashavidh Pariksha comprising of DASHVIDH PARIKSHA = TEN FOLD EXAMINATION • 1 Prakruti (Bio-constitution), • 2 Vikriti (Disease susceptibility), • 3 Sara (Quality of Tissues), • 4 Samhana (Compactness of the body), • 5 Pramana (Anthropometry) • 6 Satmya (Adaptability, • 7 Satva (mental stamina), • 8 Ahara Shakti (digestive power), • 9 Vyayama Shakti (Physical streangth), • 10 Vaya (Age and rate of ageing).The General examination is made through Ashtavidh Pariksha = eight-fold examination comprising examination of • 1 Nadi (Pulse), • 2 Mutra (Urine), • 3 Mala (excreta), • 4 Jivha (Tongue), • 5 Shabda (Voice / Speech), • 6 Sparsha (Touch), • 7 Drika (Eyes & Vision), • 8 Aakriti (Structure).

The main objective of the treatment in Ayurveda is to restore the balance of Dosha, Dhatu and Malas. The rational Ayurvedic treatment is carried out in two parts: • Samsamana (to pacify the disease) – it consist of two types of treatment i.e. Drugless therapy like chanting mantras, observing fast, meditation ,observing silence etc. and Drug therapy mostly plant based single or compound drugs. • Samshodhana (Body cleansing therapy) – removal of aggravated doshas from the body through external & internal measures through panchakarma procedures.

Panchakarma comprises of following five therapeutic measures which always preceeded with pre operative (Poorva karma) and succeeded (Pashchata karma) post- operative procedures, the five panchakarma procedures are as follows: • Vaman (Therapeutic emesis) • Virechan (Therapeutic Purgation) • Vasti (Medicinal enemata) • Nasya (Nasal medication ) • Raktamokshana (Blood letting) 1. Without instrument (Leech – Bio-apperatus) 2. With instrument

Ayurveda is survived through two sets of original authentic texts is consisting of Brihattrayii i.e. the three major classics- • Charak samhita (600BC), • Sushruta Samhita (500 BC), and • The samhitas of Vagbhatta (600 AD) Laghuttrayii i.e. the three minor classics namely: • Madhava Nidana (900 AD), • Sharangadhar Samhita (1300 AD) and • Bhava Prakash (1600 AD)

Allopathic medicine treats the disease symptos, rather than treating the patient. • Ayurveda treat the patient rather than disease. • Ayurveda makes its special contribution by addressing the uniqueness of each patient and by helping body to heal itself. • Ayurveda approach is comprehensive – system biology • Ayurvedic Medicine is having side-benefits rather than side effects • Multi route approach like Samshaman, Shodhan, Shalya karma

Yes, as the approach is holistic i.e. patient oriented and not disease oriented and thus restores the proper balance to keep it normal & healthy. Are all Ayurvedic products of natural origin? • Yes, about 85% are plant origin and remaining animal, marine & very few mineral / metal.

• Choorna (Fine powder) • Kashaya (Decoction) • Gutika (Pills) • Lehya (Paste) • Asavarishta (Fermented preparation) • Ghrita (Medicated Ghee) • Rasakriya (Ophthalmic preparation) • Bhasma (Incinerated metals and minerals) • Lepa (Poultice) • Many more……..

Being holistic with principles of individualized treatment, with availability of abundance of formulations for any particular disease, use of food items as medicine and lifestyle rules, Ayurveda enjoys a better place in respect of prevention and cure of the disease is concerned in comparison to western medical system.

Ayurvedic Medicines can generally be taken along with allopathic medicine as an adjuvant or supplement one in most of chronic and degenerative diseases but better to take under the supervision of Physician to avoid drug - drug interactions

Any qualified and registered Ayurvedic Physician ( who posses M.D. (AYURVEDA) can be contacted for Ayurvedic treatment.

Yes, Ayurveda is duly recognized by W.H.O. more over it is the policy to involve all traditional health care systems in catering the health care at grass root level. The Ayurveda being the mother of all traditional health care systems is having more potential

Yes, there are so many procedures described in Ayurvedic Classics. But two are significant like: • Ksharasutra- is a medicated alkaline thread impregnated with paste of Snuhi (Euphorbea nerifolia Linn.), Turmeric powder and alkaline substance of Apamarga (Achyranthus aspera) is well established procedure in management of anorecatal disorders like Piles, Fistula,etc. which is less cost effective without any side effect. • Leech Therapy (Bio-apparatus)- is for blood letting in the disorders caused by aggravated Rakta-Pitta Doshas.

Ayurveda describes each individual as a state of balance of the three doshas, which govern different aspects of the body. Vata dosha controls the principle of transportation, Pitta dosha controls internal processes such as digestion and metabolism, Kapha dosha encompasses our bodily protection, strength and growth. Because no two people have the same combination of these three doshas, everyone is a unique individual and individualized care and attention is needed for the treatment. When an imbalance occurs, proper diet and lifestyle changes can be implemented restore the balance. In such a case, one may be advised for specific dosha-reducing / aggravating foods, activities and medications or may even opt for Pancha Karma, an internal cleansing system of treatment mentioned in Ayurveda.

If 'Doshas' are dynamic energies, 'Vata Dosha' is the kinetic energy. Word 'Vata' means 'which moves'. Vata dosha is initiator of all forms of activity. It is important in the communication network of the body; from sense organ to brain and consciousness, from tissue to tissue and cell to cell.'Vata'is responsible for perception (that includes pain), assimilation and reaction. It brings a thought from memory to consciousness and transfers current experience into memories. It inspires speech and is the base of laughter and exaltation. At the level of physical body it is responsible for micro and macro movement. ‘Vata’ is more cerebral. Stress vitiates ‘vata’ which in turn alters ‘Pitta’ or ‘Kapha’ leading to wide variety of symptoms. Lack of sleep, excessive physical activity and long hours of fasting also vitiate ‘Vata’. There are five types of Vata Dosha.

'Pitta dosha' is responsible for all types of transformations in the body. Pitta controls digestion of food as well as conversion of light rays falling on the retina to electric impulses. In the brain there is a local ‘Pitta Dosha’, responsible for comprehension and analysis of data received. A person with pre determined ‘pitta dosha’ is highly intelligent, quick to process sensory inputs and able to reach decisions promptly. Pitta controls emotions like anger, fear and bravado. Pitta controls digestion of food, it is responsible for hunger, appetite and thirst. It gives shine to the skin. In contrast to Vata, Pitta is more physical. There are five types of 'Pitta Dosha'.

'Kapha Dosha', is also termed as phlegm. It is the cohesive energy in the body, it smoothes out problems, lubricates and provides support when needed. If ‘Vata’ is kinetic energy, ‘Kapha’ is potential energy. ‘Kapha’ is very close to tissues and like ‘Pitta’, it has greater physical form than ‘vata’. It shares many of the properties of the tissue it influences. It is anti thesis of ‘Pitta’ and is protective in nature. Its main property is stability. In contrast to ‘Pitta’, ‘Kapha’ denotes loyalty, compassion and love. A predominance of this ‘Dosha’ makes a person forgiving in nature free from envy and endowed with patience. It gives mental strength and resistance to diseases. It gives firmness to joints while keeping them lubricated. It also enhances sexual potency. There are five types of 'Kapha Dosha'.

Health is greatly influenced by Life-Style (Swastha- vritta). According to Ayurveda, Life-style (the rules and guidelines) is divided into three parts: -- Dincharya (Diet and regimen for the daytime) -- Ratricharya (Diet and regimen for the night) -- Ritucharya (Seasonal Diet and regimen) - Sandhikal (diet instructions for the joint period of two seasons) One more thing that is very helpful for the knowledge of proper life-style 'Samsarjan kram' means specific diet program after illness or after Panchkarma Treatments. For perfect health, long disease free body status, one must follow these instructions.