Ayurvedic & Pragmatic Medicines

Ayurveda (a Sanskrit word that means “science of life” or “knowledge of life”) is one of the world’s oldest whole-body healing systems. It was developed more than 5,000 years ago in India.

Harmony of Mind, Body, and Spirit:

Exploring Ayurvedic Medicine’s Holistic Approach to Health

Ayurveda is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, spirit, and environment. The main goal of ayurvedic medicine is to promote good health and prevent, not fight, disease. But treatments may be geared toward specific health problems.

“Ayurveda: Harmony of Mind, Body, and Universe”

Ayurveda is based on the theory that everything in the universe – dead or alive – is connected. If your mind, body, and spirit are in harmony with the universe, you have good health. When something disrupts this balance, you get sick. Among the things that can upset this balance are genetic or birth defects, injuries, climate and seasonal change, age, and your emotions. Those who practice ayurveda believe every person is made of five basic elements found in the universe: space, air, fire, water, and earth.

“Doshas: The Essence of Ayurvedic Balance”

These combine in the human body to form three life forces, or energies, called doshas. They control how your body works. They are vata dosha (space and air); pitta dosha (fire and water); and kapha dosha (water and earth). Everyone inherits a unique mix of the three doshas. But one is usually stronger than the others. Each one controls a different body function. It’s believed that your chances of getting sick – and the health issues you develop – are linked to the balance of your doshas

“Simple Ayurvedic Practices for Balanced Living”

Ayurvedic Lifestyle

If you have only used Western medicine, ayurveda may sound exotic. If you’re not ready to visit an ayurvedic practitioner for a consultation, there are many simple ayurvedic practices you can do at home to help balance your mental, physical, and spiritual health.

For sleep/stress relief

Try keeping a regular sleep/wake schedule and adopting better sleep hygiene. (Keep your bedroom quiet, at a comfortable temperature, and dark at bedtime. Keep laptops and phones out of the bedroom at night. Set aside time (daily, if possible) for meditation. Practice deep breathing techniques like box breathing – breathe in for four counts, hold your breath for four counts, breathe out for four counts and hold again for four. Repeat this three or four times.

Ayurvedic food:

Eat fresh, homemade food instead of processed products.
Enjoy your food and eat when you are calm, instead of stressed or angry, for good digestion.
Eat your biggest meal at lunch when your digestion is best. This may also help you sleep at night if you aren’t trying to digest a heavy dinner. Focus on foods that balance all of the doshas, including fruits, vegetables, rice, nuts, and honey as a sweetener.

Exercise:

Try a yoga class. You can go to a local studio, take online classes, or find free ones on YouTube. Increase the amount you move during the day. Listen to your body – maybe you need a long, slow walk one day and a brisk run another.

Herbs:

You can incorporate many herbs used in ayurveda when cooking food. Before taking herbal supplements, check with your doctor to make sure they are safe and won’t interact with any medications you are taking. Some of the most commonly used, and easy-to-access, herbs in ayurveda include:

  • Ashwagandha, which reduces stress and helps with sleep

  • Turmeric, an anti-inflammatory

  • Ginger, a root that can reduce nausea

  • Cumin, a spice that helps with digestion

  • Black pepper, which can be a decongestant

Benefits of ayurvedic treatment: Ayurveda can:

  • Improve your sleep
  • Reduce anxiety
  • Improve circulation
  • Help manage symptoms of chronic diseases like arthritis and chronic pain
  • Increase focus