Ayurveda - health and well being

"Health and Well Being through alternative health Interventions"

International Conference-Dyuti 2019 - on 9th,10th and 11th of January 2019.

Rajagiri, Kochi

WHAT IS AYURVEDA?

Definition of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is made up of two words — ayus meaning life and veda meaning knowledge. Ayurveda is thus
knowledge of life or Life Science. A classical text defines Ayurveda as the knowledge that describes the
wholesome (hitam), unwholesome (ahitam), happy (sukham) and unhappy (asukham) life as well as that
which informs what is wholesome and unwholesome for life and longevity.

We can see from the above definition that the goal of Ayurveda is to promote both individual and social
well-being at all levels of experience. Ayurveda aims to establish the highest level of health that a
human being is capable of achieving and its scope is not restricted to curing diseases. Health is a state of
physiological, psychological,social and spiritual well-being.

Several thousands of years ago, the tradition of Ayurveda anticipated the most modern definition of
health that has been trumpeted by the World Health Organization: ‘Health is a state of complete
physical, mental and social well-being and not merely absence of disease or infirmity.’ Ayurveda also
adds the spiritual dimension to health and points out that the human being is three-dimensional and
needs to be healthy in body, mind and self. Health is a tool to achieve the four-fold goal of life: pursuit
of spiritual and material well-being through resources obtained by righteous activity — dharma, artha,
kāma and mokṣa.

Ayurveda emphasizes that individual well-being should not come into conflict with social well-being. A
happy life is that which achieves individual well-being, whereas a wholesome life is that which is
conducive to social well-being. These concepts are currently in application and we have countries
projecting their personal and national well-being indices, which match exactly the Ayurvedic notion of a
happy and wholesome life.

Balance of inner environment and personalized medicine

Ayurveda defines health as a dynamic balance of the internal environment that positively impacts the
sense organs, mind and the self. Just like the sun, the moon and the wind maintain the balance of the
external environment, the body maintains itself by balancing anabolic (building up) and catabolic
(breaking down) activities by selfregulation. Each individual is unique and has a specific mental and
physical constitution, which defines the vulnerability to disease and the scope for achieving higher levels
of health. Ayurveda has also been at the forefront of advocating an approach to personalized medicine
from historical times. Advances in human genetics and medical genetics have heralded the emergence
of a personalized approach to medicine today that tailors medical intervention to suit individual needs.

Harmony with the external environment

Ayurveda points out that the balance of the inner environment can be maintained only by establishing
harmony with the external environment. Ayurveda proclaims that the human being is an epitome of the
universe. The microcosm is a miniature representation of the macrocosm and the human being is made
up of the same elements that make up nature. Thus it is that Ayurveda developed into an ecology-
conscious system of healthcare. For the people of a locality, the plants growing around them are the
most suited. Each individual has to carve a lifestyle that considers the geographical region as well as the
changing seasons.

THE PRINCIPLES OF AYURVEDIC HEALING

Ayurveda deals with both preventive and curative medicine. Preventive medicine is centred on the
theme of cultivating a lifestyle that is most suited to one’s physical and mental constitution as well as
the geographical and climatic conditions. It also includes detoxification and rejuvenating programmes to
enhance the strength and immunity of the individual. Ayurveda prescribes guidelines for developing a
daily regimen that has to be dynamically modified according to the seasons. Every individual has to work
out a diet plan based on constitution, activity and the state of the digestive system. Not only should the
diet be personalized to the needs of each individual, but it should also be modified according to the
external environmental conditions.

The five elements in nature make up the human body

The physical universe is made up of the five great elements or pañcamahābhūtas, which are
symbolically represented by earth (prthvī), water (ap), fire (tejas), air (vāyu) and space (ākāśa). To
simplify, they denote space and the solid, liquid, thermal and gaseous states of physical matter and
correspond to the five sense perceptions of sound, smell, taste, colour and touch. Everything in the
visible universe including the human body is made up of the five elements in various permutations and
combinations. Thus, the imbalance in the human body can be corrected by using appropriate substances
from the external environment.

The five elements organize dynamically into the three doṣas in the body and govern anabolic and
catabolic activities. Vāta, Pitta and Kapha are the three doṣas that serve as the functional units of the
body. Kapha is a combination of the principles of earth and water and broadly represents anabolism.
Pitta is a combination of the principles of water and fire; it represents transformation and catabolism.
Vāta is a combination of the principles of wind and space; it represents regulation and control. Under
the influence of the three doṣas and the digestive fire (agni), the food that we eat is transformed into
seven structural components (dhātus) of the body: chyle (rasa), blood (rakta), muscle (māmsa), fat
(medas), bone (asthi), marrow (majjā) and reproductive tissue (śukra). Waste products are excreted in
the form of faeces, urine, sweat and other body secretions. When this transformation is completed,
there is ojas or innate vitality and immunity that create higher levels of health and well-being.
Treating diseases to restore health

Disease manifests when the doṣas are out of balance leading to derangement of the dhātus or structural
components of the body. A judicious use of plant, animal and mineral substances formulated into
medicines by combination and processing supported by dietary and behavioural changes can restore
health. Medicine, diet and behaviour are the three essential components of Ayurvedic treatment.

Human life is a precious gift of nature. Naturally man is a miniature of nature. Because of preserving the
Knowledge of human life and valuable experiences obtained from generation to generation, there is
continuity of human race and survival of its several highly developed cultures and civilizations. Likewise
Indian Knowledge system of healthy life developed with Indian civilization and culture is Ayurveda.

Since the dawn of human civilization, man is aware that “Health is Wealth”. There has been continues
efforts to learn more and more about the concepts of health at every point of time. As a result, today
we have various health care systems dealing with various aspects of health. In spite of it diseases also
exist as a part and parcel of human life. This shows the lacuna about understanding of health by many
health care systems. Most of the time state of disease free body is considered as health. Similarly
attending the body in the state of ill-ness is considered as sufficient measure of maintaining health.

It is only Ayurveda, an ancient wisdom of healthy life which has holistic approach towards health. There
are about 250 health care systems in the world. Today conventional medicine has reached the extent of
DNA finger printing and Gene Therapy. In spite of that nearly 80% of the world population is depending
on traditional / alternative systems of medicine. Large amount of educated population of developed
countries are switching over to natural health care systems. Among these Ayurveda stands very high in
its popularity and worldwide acceptance.

What makes Ayurveda very special and unique among all other Health Sciences?

It is its holistic and positive health approach and following are its evidences.

1. It is not easy to find the complete definition of health in any textbook of modern medicine. Till
recent, definition of health according to WHO stated, “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and
social well-being and not merely absence of disease infirmity”. It is very recently that spiritual well-
being is also been included in the above definition. 5000 years ago, Ayurveda texts defined health as
“Health is a state of equilibrium and harmonious state of body, mind, senses and soul’’.

2. Primarily Ayurveda is a science of healthy life and it is a science of curing diseases secondarily.

3. Ayurveda is India’s healing gift to the world. It is the most ancient yet unique futuristic knowledge
system of healthy life. 5000 years old, time tested and time trusted knowledge system is a divine gift to
mankind.

4-Holistic & Positive Science of Health: Leading to Optimistic outlook of life.

 5. Many theories and practices mentioned in Ayurveda are even today used in other healthcare
systems.

The word Ayurveda is derived from two words. Ayu means Life and Veda means Knowledge. Hence
Ayurveda means knowledge of life.

Prime specialties of Ayurveda (Astanga Ayurveda) Kaya (General medicine), Bala (Pedeatrics),
Graha(Treatment of rare diseases including psychiatry), Shalakya(Eye and ENT), Shalya(surgery),
Damshtra(Toxicology), Gara (Geriatrics including rejuvenation), Vrasha(Reproductive health). Along with
above eight main specialties branches like, Gynecology and obstetrics, Social and preventive medicine,
Clinical pathology, Clinical pharmacology, Pharmaceutics are also present just as seen in conventional
medicine. The very foundational principles of the science like Panchamahabhootha theory (Five basic
elements of nature-earth, water, fire, air and space), Tridosha theory (Three humors Vata, pitta, kapha),
Sapta dhatu (seven basic body tissues) etc. are having multi-dimensional approach and are in tune with
nature.

What is the benefit of Ayurveda?

Ayurveda has two major benefits. 1) Preserving the health in a healthy person. 2) Restoring the health
in a diseased person.

1) Preservation and promotion of health are given enormous significance in Ayurveda. Proper daily
regimen is explained in detail to keep harmony with biological changes of the body with cyclical changes
of a day. To avoid ill effects of seasonal changes meticulous description of seasonal diet and life style is
explained. Personal and social behavioral conducts are described to keep up the mental health.
Enumerable rejuvenation procedures are explained for promotion of health. E.g. Very popular
Panchakarma procedures detoxify the body and reduce aging process of a person. Probably no other
health science preaches even a healthy way of dressing!

2) Concept of medicine and treatment is also unique and complete. “Medicine is the one, which cures
the disease without leading to another, and not the one which cure the diseases but leads to another
disease’’. Ayurvedic medicines derive their source from, Plant, animal and mineral origin. Treatment is
defined as the one, which not only addresses the cause, cures the disease from its root, but also re-
establishes state of health. Ayurveda advocates many palliative, purification, surgical, Para surgical,
psychological rejuvenate and spiritual therapies. These are adopted as per the individual requirement of
the disease and diseased. Ayurveda by advocating tailor made diet; lifestyle, treatment and philosophy
of life ensure that an individual walks along the path of perfect health throughout the journey of life.
Natural is today’s buzzword. But anything natural is not safe. Hence it is essential to follow the system
which judiciously uses natural substances. Taking natural products is not the only way to healthy life, but
it’s the natural way of living. Ayurveda an ancient wisdom of life used on contemporary basis is the way
to a healthy and happy life naturally
Creating Blissful Relationships

"I can't talk now — I have a terrible headache." "Leave me alone — I've had a miserable day and I need
my space." "What happened to us? Don't you love me any more?"

In some form or another, we have all experienced these statements and what they can do to a
relationship. Those who are lucky have encountered them only in books and movies. Others, perhaps
the majority, have faced them in their own lives at some point or the other.

Observe these statements again. The first one tells of physical stress; the second, mental fatigue; and
the third, emotional breakdown. All three of these — either individually or collectively — are potential
relationship-wreckers.

Ayurveda has always recognized and respected the intimate connection between the physical, mental,
emotional and spiritual aspects of our being. More than 5,000 years ago, ancient texts like the Charaka
Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Ashthanga Hridayam recorded some amazing insights into the body-
mind-soul connection.

Ayurveda, therefore, looks at relationships as a function of several complex factors. The prime factor,
say ayurvedic vaidyas, in causing not only relationship problems but also physical ills is the inability of a
person to feel centered within himself or herself. This can happen due to a variety of causes, ranging
from genetics to hormonal or environmental imbalances. These imbalances affect an individual's ability
to combat day-to-day stress. As a consequence, they diminish the person's ability to work, love, heal,
pray, and live in the true sense of the word.

Ayurvedic Solutions

Because the problem/disorder is complex in nature, its solutions must also be more than material. That
is why ayurveda combines several therapies as the solution: sadhana (meditation), aromas, music,
massage, herbal treatment, proper diet, exercise and detoxification. Together, these healing therapies
provide the balm that heals consciousness and makes a person feel whole again.

The Ayurveda Physicians says ayurveda always approaches a problem at the root level. "And at the root
of all relationships is the human heart," says the physician.

"To the ayurvedic physician, the heart is not simply a pump. It is also the seat of emotions. It is endowed
with immense potential to love, feel and give. It contains the essence of the cosmos within itself, just
like a seed contains the whole tree. No wonder, then, that when you subject this sensitive, emotional
heart to the stress-laden travails of daily living, it sometimes quails and shrinks within itself. This is an
effect of pragya aparadh, or 'mistake of the intellect,' when the intellect, drawn toward and influenced
by material consciousness, loses connection with the wholeness of consciousness. This is when we stop
being centered within ourselves."

The way to correct this mistake, says The Council, is to allow the heart to expand — to listen to its quiet
voice, and to follow what it is telling us. When we start doing this, slowly, the pragya aparadh will be
corrected. The seeds of doubt, despair and disappointment will shrivel up and die. We will be whole
again, in ourselves and in our relationships with others.

The Council shares five tips for keeping the emotional heart healthy and strong. Recognize that:

1. True love is and should be unconditional. It gives without reservations.

2. Your relationships will flourish if you follow your truest feelings and honor your commitments.

3. It is important to experience all your thoughts and actions. Don't speak or act in haste.

4. A positive attitude is a great relationship-strengthener.

5. Giving is the key to receiving.

The other principal player in matters of the Self and its relationships with others is the mind. Ayurveda
sees the mind as messenger between the Self and the senses. For the mind to be working in peak order,
therefore, its hinges should be well-oiled, so to say.

Ayurveda believes the mind has three "hinges":

 Dhi: the power to learn — acquire knowledge

 Dhriti: the power to retain what has been learned

 Smriti: the power to recall what has been learned and retained

When these three components work in perfect coordination, says The Council, the mind is balanced.
And a balanced mind is the key to harmony, both within the Self and outside it. Ayurveda recommends
some powerful mind-empowering herbs like Brahmi, which enhance all three aspects of the mind.
Maharishi Ayurveda's Blissful Joy uses the synergy of powerful herbs to smoothen the mind-body
connection and restore peace and happiness. A sampling of the herbs used in this formula: Arjuna is
especially known to strengthen the heart and emotions. Winter Cherry (Ashwagandha) and Basil have
powerful "adaptogenic" properties. They assist the body's natural resistance to stressful situations.
Winter Cherry is also very effective in balancing the mind and improving emotional stability. Arjuna
helps strengthen the body's natural rejuvenative processes, hastening the replacement of dead or weak
cells with fresh, vital ones.

Internet Resources (all URLs accessed in Dec 2018)

1. Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH),
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India: http://indianmedicine.nic.in/
2. Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS), an autonomous body of the
department of AYUSH: http://www.ccras.nic.in/
3. AYUSH Research Portal: Evidence Based Research Data of AYUSH Systems at Global Level:
http://ayushportal.ap.nic.in/
 4. Traditional Knowledge Digital Library. Representative Database of 1200 Ayurvedic, Unani and
Siddha Formulations: www.tkdl.res.in/tkdl/langdefault/common/Home.asp?GL=Eng
5. Digital Helpline for Ayurveda Research Articles: http://dharaonline.org/Home ¾ An Annotated
Bibliography of Indian Medicine: http://indianmedicine.eldoc.ub.rug.nl/
6. Institute of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine: www.iaim.edu.in/
7. U.S. Government’s National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM),
page on Ayurveda: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/ayurveda ¾ Videos on Ayurveda and other
systems of medicine: www.ayushvideos.org/

1. Arun Dahanukar Sharadini & Urmila Mukund Thatte, Ayurveda Revisited, Popular Prakashan, Mumbai,
2000

2. M.S. Valiathan, The Legacy of Caraka, Orient Longman, 2003

3. M.S. Valiathan, The Legacy of Susruta, Orient Longman, 2007 4. M.S. Valiathan, The Legacy of
Vagbhata, Universities Press, 2009