What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a form of traditional medicine that was first developed in India. The name, when translated from Sanskrit, means “science of life”. This practice is an important part of Hinduism, as one of their gods is dedicated to ayurvedic medicine – Dhanvantari. Although this practice originally formed in India, it is now being used by many around the world as a form of alternative healing and medicine.
The application of Ayurveda revolves around the five traditional elements – earth, water, fire, air, and ether, as well as the seven traditional elements of the human body: plasma, blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow, and reproductive tissue. If one can achieve balance in all of these elements then they have achieved a good level of well-being.
Treatments typically involve ritualistic hygiene, (which likely stems from the influence of Hinduism and Buddhism), oils, and traditional vegetable drugs. Patients are encouraged to bathe regularly (both regular baths as well as steam baths), and to keep areas such as the skin, eyes, and teeth cleansed regularly, while anointing of oil is sometimes also recommended. Oils such as sunflower oil and herbal drugs such as cinnamon are added to the patient’s diet, which help to get rid of contaminants within their immune and digestive systems.
Scientifically, there are some parts of Ayurveda that have yet to be rigorously tested – especially the elements that are mostly spiritual. However, studies have shown for many years that medical use of oils and herbal treatments are effective. Turmeric, curcumin, and sage have been tested extensively and are shown to be helpful for fighting disease, and are being used on new fronts such as Alzheimer’s treatment.
Even if one is not necessarily interested in the spiritual aspects of Ayurveda, the many health benefits make it a good alternative healing method for anyone – this perhaps explains why ayurvedic medicine is growing in popularity outside the boundaries of India, all across the globe.
