History of Ayurveda

In Indian mythology, wise people called sanyasins (sages) lived not just hundreds or years, but over thousands of years! Although most people may pass this off as fantasy, there is evidence that even today, many people in India, Russia and in some parts of China, live to be over 150 years old! Of course, there is usually very little proof to determine exactly how old they are. With the amount of pollution, poverty and crime around us, it is amazing that people can live to a ripe old age of one hundred and fifty! Around the time the first humans appeared on Earth, it may have been possible to live a long time in perfect health provided there were no predators around.

How can we attain the same standard of wellness?

Ayurveda may be one answer to the increasing demands on our bodies and minds from environmental toxins and pollution. This ancient healing paradigm combines emotional, spiritual and physical healing into a holistic system through which the person boosts their immune system in order to help the body heal itself.

Why not use the conventional ways of killing off cells or "destroying the disease" with chemical drugs? Because it does not enable the body to heal itself; in fact, in the long run, conventional ways of treating the symptoms destroys the body’s ability to heal itself.

Where did Ayurveda come from? The knowledge of Ayurveda probably came from the Universe itself. The rain forests are one of the Earth’s most treasured resources. Hidden inside these magical flora and fauna are medicines that help to preserve our health and beauty. Nature’s bounty, when combined with the knowledge which is necessary to remove any imbalances in our spiritual and emotional environment can restore our body’s immune system to equilibrium.

The herbal remedies of the old pagan cultures when combined with spiritual healing techniques from the wise sages combined to form a well-rounded system of healing that has been used by Indian cultures for 5000 years or more! Ayurveda and other holistic healing methods such as Chinese medicine are "the conventional" medicine in many parts of the world. Allopathic drugs are considered "Alternative medicine" in those countries where people live longer and enjoy drug-free lives.

Throughout the history of India, most of the royalty had Ayurvedic doctors on their payroll. Many of the rare herbs and treasures were reserved for only the royal customers.

Among the Vedas (texts) prepared by the Sages in the past, Atharva Veda lists the divisions of Ayurveda: Psychiatry, Internal Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology, Toxicology, Pediatrics, Yoga, massage and meditation therapy (rejuvenation), and Fertility.

The practice of Ayurveda included the use of herbal therapy, precious gems therapy, use of colors to calm the nerves, breathing techniques, yoga techniques for mental and physical healing and toning and mantras for calming the mind and reducing anxiety.

Around 1500 B.C, Ayurveda flourished in India and was respected widely in many other parts of the world. By the first and second Century AD, it had become quite popular with the Greeks, Europeans, Arabs and Portuguese seafarers who traveled to India in search of spices, rare woods and gemstones.

People who approached Ayurvedic doctors (or practitioners) were given questionnaires to determine their habits. After listening to the patient describe their problems, Ayurvedic doctors would prescribe not medicine, but food recipes, healthy routines and timings for sleep as well as advise on sex, behavior, exercise, snacking and even special baths or massages daily.

The Charaka Samhita, one of the texts of manuals prepared by the sages for the Vedas, also indicated the other qualities of the patient that needs to be checked: strength, abnormal traits, body size, food, digestion, mental capability and breathing.

There were two main schools of Ayurveda around 1500 BC; Atreya and Dhanvantari. Athreya was devoted to the practice of physicians and Dhanvantari was believed to be the school of surgeons. Dhanvantari (now revered also as a deity) is also considered by some as the divinity behind the revelation of Ayurveda secrets.

Ayurveda flourished through the rest of the centuries until the 18th century.

Around the 18th century AD, the British stealthily came to India in the guise of starting "East India Company" for trading goods and spices. They not only overstayed their visit, they also suppressed the practice of Ayurveda and all indigenous art forms that were flourishing in India. This pushed Ayurveda almost into extinction. Allopathy became widespread and it soon became fashionable for Indian nationals to rush over to English doctors at the first sniffle. English medicine and goods from England began pouring into India. It was only after the years of British rule and the blistering poverty in its aftermath that India was able to resurrect its health, wealth and treasures such as Ayurveda, yoga, spirituality, meditation and other cherished ancient cultural gems.

Ayurveda is now used by millions to heal:

1. Addictions

2. Detoxification

3. Weight loss

4. Respiratory problems

5. Allergy and skin disorders

6. Joint and muscle pains or degeneration

7. Immune system boost

8. Infertility

9. Beauty treatments and massages for relaxation and rejuvenation

10. Skin cancer and several other forms of cancer.

11. Diabetes and obesity related conditions

12. Facial paralysis

13. Migraines

14. Rheumatism

15. Spinal disorders

16. And many more health issues

Since Ayurveda has become globally popular, many Ayurvedic clinics and spas selling Ayurvedic merchandise have been popping up all over the world. The consumer needs to aware of what goes into each of the items they buy with their hard earned money. There are also unscrupulous shops online that sell so-called Ayurvedic tonics, hair oil and herbs. If you would like good quality products for your use, it is important that you get good references as well as check the quality standards for all items. A good return policy is also essential so that we can get back our investment if we are not satisfied with the results.

Just as each of us has our own unique footprint and fingerprint, each of us has our unique way of living and healing. One mold or method or treatment will never work for every patient who comes looking for a cure. It is important that each patient be thoroughly examined and questioned before attempting to help and heal.

After years of abuse by drugs for conditions as simple as allergies or the common cold, people are becoming aware that the human body has become a dumping ground for chemicals. At one time, many people supposed that a growing fetus was protected by the placenta which was assumed to block chemicals passing through to the baby.

Ginkgo, one of the oldest plants

However, recent research has shed light on the fact that the placenta dutifully passes on many of the environmental toxins that exist in the mother’s body to the developing baby. Even a tiny amount of these chemicals can cause devastating effects on the baby’s tender system.

The result is the large number of babies born with cerebral palsy and other devastating disorders.

As conventional doctors, drug companies and insurance companies squeeze the average citizen of all joie de vivre, people all over the world are turning to natural and herbal methods of wholesome healing. Of all the natural techniques, Ayurveda shines like a beacon in the dark for the simple reason that it covers all bases, heals the multi-dimensional human beings and helps them retain their youth and vitality without hurting them in any way.