What is the Ayurveda System?
The Ayurveda system is a holistic health approach that originated in Indian more than 5,000 years ago. The word Ayurveda combines the words "Ayur" which means life, and "Veda" which means knowledge. It is a form of alternative medicine that aims to restore balance in an individual's specific body type. The Three Body Types
The Ayurveda system identifies three body types, and they are the Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
The Vata Body Type:
The Vata body type is usually identified with a slender and petite physique; with a sometimes under developed muscular structure. Individuals with a Vata body type are usually also prone to conditions such as cold hands and feet, dry skin or nervousness. The Pitta Body Type:
The Pitta body type is usually characterized by a medium to larger physique with normal muscular development. Pitta body type individuals are usually prone to conditions such as burning sensations, skin issues, anger and excessive heat.
The Kapha Body Type:
Individuals with that have a Kapha body type will usually have a larger body frame and a well-developed muscular structure. These individuals are also prone to conditions that include sinus and breathing issues, weight gain and water retention problems.
The Importance of the Five Elements
At an early stage, Ayurveda adopted an approach that included the five elements, namely water, fire, earth, air and sky. Ayurveda stresses the importance of balance within the body; which includes all aspects of your health. Whereas pharmaceutical companies extract elements from plants and sell them as medicine, they cannot surpass the quality and effectiveness of medicinal plants; which is what Ayurveda focuses on. They concentrate on the whole plant; not just certain parts of it, since it contains whole herbs and fruits that must be included since they possess healing powers.
The science of Ayurveda includes the diagnosis of a patient according to five criteria points: the origin of the disease, typical symptoms of the patient, prodromal symptoms, the effects of therapeutic procedures and the pathological process. Ayurveda stresses the use of plant based materials and medicines; and in some cases animal products such as milk and bones may be used as well. When a patient is undergoing an operation, alcohol might be used as well.
As part of a diagnosis in patients, they need to look at body measurements, stability, essence, physical fitness, age, diet suitability and abnormality; amongst others.
Balance is also emphasized and care should be taken in terms of allowing natural urges and moderating food intake and sleep. Doctors of the Ayurveda discipline see physical exercise and mental stability as one aspect; and this is taken into account when a patient is diagnosed and treated for a specific health issue.
Today, more than 80% of people in India use Ayurveda or traditional medicines; and this is also the case within Sri Lanka. Several international and national initiatives have also been put together to legalize the use and the practice of Ayurveda and the Ayurvedic medicines. Irwin Ayurvedics took great care in researching and studying the Ayurveda system to create VATA, PITTA and KAPHA.
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