Ayurveda FAQ

Put simply, Ayurveda — a Sanskrit word meaning the science or wisdom of life — is an ancient philosophy based on a deep understanding of eternal truths about the human body, mind and spirit. Unlike orthodox medicine, it is not based on the frequently changing findings of specific research projects, but rather on permanent, wise, eternal principles of living.

The central principle of Ayurveda is that each human being is unique — having a distinct individual constitution, genetic inheritance and predisposition to certain diseases, and a distinct spiritual makeup.

Modern medicine tries to treat and remove the condition, rather than treating the patient suffering from it. This stems from a view that all people are more or less the same — the opposite of the Ayurvedic principle. Ayurveda makes its special contribution by addressing the uniqueness of each patient, and by helping the body to heal itself.

Ayurveda approaches the problem from several angles. Panchakarma — the five cleansing procedures — and Ayurvedic massage flush out toxins already in the body, down to the last cell; the body is tuned up by massage, oil bath and other procedures. Herbal supplements and health-care products build the immune system naturally, with specific preparations to strengthen each system of the body and slow the ageing process. And Ayurveda prevents toxins entering in the first place, by having people keep a watch on their food and habits.

1. Internal medicine — Kaya Chikitsa
2. Paediatrics & gynaecology — Balaroga Chikitsa
3. Surgery — Shalya Chikitsa
4. Ear, nose & throat — Shalakya Chikitsa
5. Toxicology — Agadatantra
6. Rejuvenation — Rasayana
7. Sexual function & reproduction — Vajikarana Chikitsa
8. Psychiatry — Manasroga Chikitsa

Ayurveda simplifies the organisation of the body into three basic components: Dosha (fault), Dhatu (tissue) and Mala (impurities).

The whole science rests on the theory of the five great elements (Pancha Mahabhuta): Earth (Prithvi), Water (Jal), Fire (Agni or Tej), Air (Vayu) and Ether or Space (Akash). All matter in the universe is made of these. Earth represents the solid state, water the liquid, air the gaseous, fire the transforming force, and ether is at once the source of all matter and the space in which it exists.

Vata (air), Pitta (bile) and Kapha (phlegm) are the names of the three doshas — three different forms of energy, each containing two of the five elements. In a healthy individual the doshas work as a team, and a perfect balance of the three is the basis of wellbeing. Their character is influenced by what is eaten, and also by temperature, season and mental state. In most people either one dosha, or a combination, is dominant — and this defines the constitution of the person.

If the doshas are dynamic energies, Vata is the kinetic energy — the word Vata means "that which moves". It is the initiator of all activity, and is important in the communication network of the body: from sense organ to brain, from tissue to tissue, cell to cell. Vata is responsible for perception (including pain), assimilation and reaction; it brings a thought from memory to consciousness, and inspires speech. Stress vitiates Vata, which in turn alters Pitta or Kapha, leading to a wide variety of symptoms. Lack of sleep, excessive physical activity and long fasting also vitiate it.

Pitta is responsible for all kinds of transformation in the body. It controls the digestion of food, as well as the conversion of light falling on the retina into impulses. A person of predetermined Pitta constitution is highly intelligent, quick to process sensory input and able to reach decisions promptly. Pitta governs hunger, appetite and thirst, gives shine to the skin, and controls emotions such as anger, fear and bravado. In contrast to Vata, Pitta is more physical.

Kapha, the third of the doshas, is also termed phlegm. It is the cohesive energy of the body: it smooths out problems, lubricates, and provides support when needed. If Vata is kinetic energy, Kapha is potential energy. Its main property is stability, and it is protective in nature — the antithesis of Pitta. Kapha denotes loyalty, compassion and love; a predominance makes a person forgiving, free from envy and endowed with patience. It gives mental strength and resistance to disease, and gives firmness to the joints while keeping them lubricated.

Ayurveda finds its foundation in the ancient classical texts — Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Sangraha, Ashtanga Hridaya, Sharngadhara Samhita, Bhaishajya Ratnavali and others — which are a treasury of effective practices and formulations, and form the basis of Ayurvedic pharmaceuticals. Recent scientific research has proved the efficacy of the herbs and the formulations, and research institutes across India and the world continue to study these preparations.

• Fermented preparations — Asava-arishta
• Medicated ghee — Ghrita
• Paste — Lehya
• Incinerated metals & minerals — Bhasma
• Fine powder — Choorna
• Coarse powder for decoction — Kashaya Choorna
• Decoction — Kashaya
• Pills — Gulika
• Ophthalmic preparation — Rasakriya

Ayurveda emphasises the all-important value of a good diet, as it creates good-quality nourishment (rasa), which in turn nourishes the blood (rakta) and subsequently influences the skin. Skin diseases are said to occur primarily from sluggish liver function, leading to Pitta and Kapha dysfunction — so a clean bowel and regular, complete evacuation matter greatly. Hair is the metabolic end-product of bone and marrow; if the diet falls short of nourishing the bones, the hair suffers, and stress and worry lead to unhealthy hair. A wholesome diet is what is needed for good skin and hair, and Ayurvedic products are formulated with this in view.

These are therapeutic measures taken either to prevent disease or to cure it. Thus Ayurvedic procedures are done either to detoxify the body, or as a prelude to strengthening the immune system. Panchakarma — the five procedures — is the most sought-after anti-ageing and detoxification therapy.

The pre-procedures are called Poorva Karma, and consist of digestion (Pachana), oleation (Snehana) and fomentation (Swedana). The basic objective of Panchakarma — the five internal detoxification procedures — is to remove the excessive accumulated toxins that cause the vitiation of dosha. When a dosha is imbalanced through environment or diet, it is often difficult to normalise with diet and drugs alone. The actual procedures are always preceded and followed by specialised procedures. Used therapeutically they may be done at any time of year; used preventively, at the time appropriate to each dosha.

Read the full Panchakarma account →

Vaman — therapeutic vomiting — is intended for the removal of Kapha dosha. It is used not for Kapha alone, but when Kapha is in conjunction with one or both of the other doshas, and is essential in cases of food or other poisoning. It employs certain emetic drugs that induce a spell of vomiting to clean the upper gut. Bronchial asthma can be prevented by periodically inducing Vaman.

Virechan — purging — is a purificatory treatment as important as emesis. It concentrates on the lower part of the gut and uses purgatives to clean the bowel. It helps clear all three doshas, though Pitta and Kapha benefit the most. Purging is used in the Ayurvedic treatment of piles, boils, jaundice, chronic fever, spleen enlargement, intestinal disorders, arthritis, constipation, diabetes, skin diseases, asthma, cough and many other conditions.

The classical text Ashtanga Hridaya says: "A purge properly carried out leads to clarity of intellect, power to the organs, elemental stability and glow to the digestive fire, and it delays ageing." Basti — medical enema — predominates among the five procedures. Prescribed for Vata-dominated patients, it helps overcome many diseases, revives the vital force and rejuvenates the body. Because the rectal lining is very permeable, the medicine reaches the circulation directly, without passing through the liver. The fluid is either a medicinal decoction or a herbal oil to suit the ailment. This procedure is usually done for seven days.

Raktamokshana — bloodletting — is a therapy advised by Ayurveda to treat heart conditions and varicose veins. Ayurveda advocates the use of leeches applied on alternate days to reduce venous congestion. The digestive fire is low after Panchakarma, so the diet afterwards should first be liquid, then progress to solids.