WHAT EXACTLY IS AYURVEDA?
The term ‘Ayurveda’ is made up of the two Sanskrit words ‘Ayush’ and
‘Veda’. Ayush connotes life while Veda means science or knowledge.
Therefore, ‘Ayurveda’ refers to the ‘Science of Life’.
TRACING AYURVEDA ROOTS
Its principles have been encapsulated and detailed in the ancient
Indian treatises. It has evolved down the ages and now evolved into a
scientific alternative medical science.
The ancient treatises of Ayurveda were composed by noted exponents of
the subject like Parashara, Shalihotra and Nakula.
AMERICAN USERS OF ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES
Researches estimate that 83 million USA residents spend more than $27
million a year using alternative medicine including Ayurveda.
Similarly, there is a large following of Ayurveda and other alternative
therapies among the Canadian English and Australian citizens.
THE THREE AYURVEDA EPOCHS
Broadly speaking, the annals of Ayurveda fall into three clear stages
down the ages. They are the golden ancient stage, the desecration
period and the post-independence rejuvenation age.
The ancient stage was the golden age of Ayurveda. This stage extended
over years encompassing the age of the independent kingdoms when
Ayurveda was the sole dependant means to effectively diagnose and treat
illnesses of plants and also animals. There were royal and public
patronages. Ayurveda flourished. Ayurveda treatises were composed.
Study of Ayurveda occupied a pride of place. Brilliant students pursued
Ayurveda with zeal and vigour.
The ancient stage was followed by the desecration period when the
Indian kingdoms (patronizing Ayurveda) was exposed to the onslaughts of
marauders from foreign countries. It was a time when most of the
invaders destroyed invaluable Indian treasures including Ayurveda
tomes. Sadly enough, many valuable Ayurveda treatises were entirely
obliterated through various ways. To make matters worse, quacks made
hay while the sun shone and introduced illicit variations in the
Ayurveda system. Ayurveda also fell into disuse.
The post-Independence age of India is the rejuvenation epoch of
Ayurveda. Particular reference must be made of the fag end of the 19th
Century and the 20th Century. The Swadeshi movement gave the ultimate
impetus to the all-round development of Ayurveda. Deliberate attempts
of the national governments bore fruits to diagnose the problems and
also implement the means to remove those hurdles. This is in spite of
the fact that zealous studies of Ayurveda practices proceeded
simultaneously along with those of the other modern and alternative
medical sciences. Mentionably, Ayurveda studies went along scientific
lines. As a consequence thereof, different parts of India witnessed the
establishment of Ayurveda institutions, colleges, dispensaries,
pharmacies, and even hospitals.
AYURVEDA MEDICINES
Since the ancient times, Ayurveda experts (composed of mendicants or
saints) specialized in varied aspects of life of all living beings.
Interestingly enough, the medicines prepared for the different types of
diseases affecting various plants and animals were brewed from locally
available natural substances. Notably, Ayurveda never uses artificial
elements or concoctions.
A SUPPORTIVE THERAPY
Ayurveda is considered useful in supporting many other kinds of
treatment programs. Ayurveda supporters believe it is a preventive as
well as a curative therapy. They opine that Ayurveda strengthens the
immune system against disease. So, they advise patients to change their
radical lifestyles. They also believe that changing lifestyle habits
can improve persistent problems such as back pain, arthritis, tension
headaches, high blood pressure, obesity, constipation, allergies and
colds, insomnia, anxiety, depression, and other stress disorders.
FOCUS OF AYURVEDIC THERAPIES
Ayurvedic therapies focus on lifestyle changes and herbal remedies,
concentrating on diet, exercise, yoga, meditation, massage, herbal
tonics, steam baths, enemas, and other alternative medical practices
such as aromatherapy. Special cleansing therapies such as bloodletting
and blood-thinning herbs are also used to rid the body of
disease-causing toxins.
ENJOY THE AYURVEDA ADVANTAGE
Needless to say, the Indian public has been flocking to Ayurveda
exponents owing to its effectiveness. Moreover, Ayurveda is cost
effective as well.
Ayurveda extends the rational ways to treat all diseases of the
internal organs.
Mentionably, these diseases are deemed by different modern medical
sciences as rather chronic and even incurable.
What’s more Ayurveda underlines the aspects determining the healthy
life of a person.
Naturally enough, Ayurveda extends the means to cure and even shield
the human body against the attack of all ailments.
Ayurveda also offers the steps to pursue a disease free and disciplined
life.
This Ayurveda does by studying the basic natures of human beings.
Above all, Ayurveda studies the human urges like sex, sleep, hunger and
thirst among others.
Ayurveda gives us the means to keep these urges under control.
THE SCOPE OF AYURVEDA IS QUITE VAST
The scope of Ayurveda is really vast. It includes not just the
medicines but all aspects concerning life. Hence, the purview of
Ayurveda encompasses biology and also medical sciences.
Ayurveda diagnoses and offers effective homemade treatment for ailments
affecting almost all animals and plants.
AYURVEDA SPECIALIZED COURSES
Hence, it is not surprising that the ancient Ayurveda exponents
specialized in the modern-day veterinary and medical sciences. In fact,
there were ‘Vriksha-Ayurveda’ (the natural science of diagnosing and
treatment of diseases affecting plants and trees); ‘Gaja-Ayurveda’ (the
natural science of diagnosing and treatment of diseases affecting
pachyderms or elephants); ‘Go-Ayurveda’ (the natural science of
diagnosing and treatment of diseases affecting cattle particularly
cows); and ‘Ashwa-Ayurveda’ (the natural science diagnosing and
treatment of diseases afflicting horses).
AYURVEDA DEGREES
In India, more than 100 colleges offer five-year courses on Ayurveda.
These institutions grant degrees in Ayurvedic medicine upon completion
of the program. In the United States of America, Ayurvedic
practitioners must be licensed in some other form of health care, such
as allopathy (Western medicine), or another system of alternative
medicine, such as naturopathy, homeopathy, chiropractic, or
acupuncture.
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Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/ayurveda-
the-indian-means-to-checkmate-all-common-ailments-109360.html About the Author
Nilutpal Gogoi is a freelance journalist and
writer. He has published more than 1500 articles on varied fares.
He is also a content builder for http://www.fastrankingsonline.com/
which has a detailed site on yoga as well as Ayurveda. |
