ArticlesBase.com - Free Articles Directory
Free Online Articles Directory
21.08.2008 Sign In Register Hello Guest
Email:
Password:
Remember Me 
forgot your password?


Introduction To The Ayurvedic System of Medicine

Author: Victor Epand Author Ranking Gold Featured Author | Posted: 04-03-2008 | Comments: 0 | Views: 7 | Rating:  (51) Article Popularity - Blue (?) Got a Question? Ask.
Sign Up Now!

Ayurveda is India's traditional medicine derived from nature and has been practiced since time immemorial. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that can be literally translated as "the natural science of life". Ayurveda was the method of health care practised by the followers of the Vedic culture, especially the sages who meditate on mountains and don't have any contact with the world. For many generations, this science was passed on orally through disciple succession, or from teacher to student. Nowadays, Ayurveda has gained popularity in the modern world, among rich and poor alike, in different corners of the planet.

Ayurveda teaches the prevention of disease, provides formulas for the rejuvenation of our bodily parts, and of course longevity. Ayurveda guarantees that through certain ways of living, not only can we prevent heart disease, but we can also better know ourselves and see the world around us in a proper perspective, live a long healthy life in balance and harmony, reach our maximum potential, and reveal our true inner nature.

Tridosha system

The main concept of Ayurvedic medicine is the theory that health exists when there is a harmony among the three fundamental bodily humours or doshas known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

- Vata has to do with the function of the nervous system.

- Pitta is the energy and it has to do with the digestive and venous system

- Kapha is the body fluid principle which relates to mucous, lubrication and the carrier of nutrients into the arterial system.

All Ayurvedic physicians believe that these ancient ideas, based on the vedic scriptures, exist in harmony with the physical reality. These Ayurvedic concepts allow practitioners to examine the homeostasis of the whole system. One dosha is predominant in everyone, but all doshas are contaminated by the remaining two.

Ayurvedic tastes

Ayurveda states that the tastes of foods or plants have specific physiological effects. Those tastes that transform during and after digestion are very powerful.

The following are the different ayurvedic tastes:

Madhura, or sweet: Sweet foods are in goodness. They nourish, cool, moisten, oil, and increase the body weight.

Amla, or sour: Sour foods are in passion. They warm, oil, and increase body weight too.

Lavan, or salty: Salty foods are in passion. They heat, dissolve, invigorate, soften, oil, and increase body weight.

Katu, or bitter: Bitter foods are in passion as well. They cool, dry, purify and reduce body weight.

Tikta, or pungent: Pungent foods are also in passion. They warm, dry, stimulate, and reduce body weight.

Kasaya, or astringent: Astringent foods are in passion. They cool, dry, reduce stickiness.

Panchakarma and Ayurvedic massage

Panchakarma is the five actions or modalities. It is a collection of purification processes that Ayurveda reccommends for some diseases and for periodic cleaning of the body. A treatment of Pancharkarma normally includes a short-term dietary prescription, massage, herbs, at times purgatives also, sweat baths, medicated enemas, and nasal cleansing.

Treatment such as Ayurvedic massage is for various age and use to cure other common disorders. Some of the advantages are pain relief, improved blood circulation, stress relief, better sleep, flexibility, sports performance and emotional wellbeing. Massage therapy can soothe pain, relax tense muscles, and decrease the swelling that accompanies arthritis. Studies claim that, with ayurvedic massage, deep-rooted toxins between the joints and tissues are slackened and released into the body for elimination through natural toxin-release processes. There are different types of ayurvedic treatments such as panchakarma and marma massage. Ayurvedic massage is especially developed in South India, in the state of Kerala and Sri Lanka.

Rate this Article: Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/introduction-to-the-ayurvedic-system-of-medicine-349967.html

Print this Article Print article   Email to a Friend Send to friend   Publish this Article on your Website Publish this Article   Send Author Feedback Author feedback  
About the Author:

Victor Epand is an expert consultant for Krishna art, religious gifts from India, and Hare Krishna books. You can find the best marketplace for Krishna art, religious gifts from India, and Hare Krishna books at these sites for Krishna art, Ayurvedic gifts from India, and Ayurvedic books.

Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free!

Article Comments

Comment on this article Comment on this article
Your Name
Your Email:
Comment Body
Enter Validation Code: Captcha


Related Articles

Sciatica & Spinal Research Institute @ Dr Kranthi for All Ur Spinal Problems
By: dr r kranthi vardhan | 23/06/2008 | Alternative Medicine
In the past, a patient suffering from Disc problems may have been prescribed Pain killers / Medications, Instructed to refrain from physical activities, referred for Physiotherapy, received Steroidal Shots or Injections, and when they weren’t progressing, they were sent for Spinal Surgery. Frankly speaking only 5% of Back pains require Surgeries, the other 95% can be dealt with Conservative & Curative Ayurveda Panchakarma Chikitsa.

The Legend Of Ayurvedic Medicine: Vata - Pitta - Kapha
By: Rene Graeber | 06/10/2006 | Advertising
The legend of the beginning of ayurvedic medicine is that the one creator, Brahma, taught the theories and practices to one of the animal lords, who taught it to the Asvins-the divine twins.

Ayurveda – Holistic Approach to Health Care
By: Dr John Anne | 19/03/2007 | Alternative Medicine
Ayurveda is the most popular holistic forms of medicine that has originated in India, and is now rapidly spreading around the world.

Alternative Medicine - Avenue for Medical Tourism
By: keerti mallela | 28/06/2008 | Alternative Medicine
The history of alternative medicine is a rather interesting one, and has its origins in traditional methods of medicine. Alternative medicine has been in existence since time immemorial. Practised for thousands of years, alternative medicine includes systems like Acupuncture, Ayurveda and traditional Asian medicine. The article covers alternative medicine in countries like India, China, Germany and Japan.

Ayurveda: the Science of Life
By: Dr John Anne | 28/03/2007 | Alternative Medicine
Ayurveda means science of life. This is a science that not only deals with the treatment of the diseased condition but also teaches us with the various methodologies that are essential to carry out a healthy and happy living.

Ayurvedic Secrets Unrevealed
By: Dr John Anne | 04/04/2007 | Alternative Medicine
Ayurvedic health system is a science that deals with the maintenance of health. Ayurveda has a divine origin. The science of ayurveda has been a gift of Lord Brahma to this world.

Useful Herbal Remedies for Common Ailments
By: Dr John Anne | 16/04/2007 | Alternative Medicine
Herbal remedies are becoming popular day by day. As the name suggest that solution that deals with herbs, comes under herbal remedies. Herbal remedies are the herbal solutions that are helping people world wide in finding new paths of achieving great health benefits.

Herbal Remedies – your Ultimate Health Solution
By: Dr John Anne | 16/04/2007 | Alternative Medicine
An herbal remedy literally means solution that is obtained from herbs and natural resources. These solutions are generally meant in health related situations. Thus it can be said that herbal remedies are the health solutions that are achieved by the use of herbal and natural resources.

Got a Question? Ask.

Ask the community a question about this article:

Q&A Powered by:
Powered by Yedda 

Latest Alternative Medicine Articles

Anti-aging Surgery and Alternatives
By: Carson Danfield | 21/08/2008
Surgical procedures have advanced considerably in recent years and the results that can be gained from anti aging surgery are very effective and becoming a lot more common with each passing year.

Qigong, Electricity & The Human Body
By: A. Thomas Perhacs | 20/08/2008
In this thought provoking article, you will learn the amazing concepts behind Qigong energy training and how it relates to the electricity of the human body.

Herbal Treatments for Yeast Infection
By: Vivian W. | 20/08/2008
Many women are plagued with yeast infections every year. More and more of these women are turning toward more gentle cost effective herbal remedies.

Cure Yeast Infection With Natural Cure
By: Vivian W. | 20/08/2008
Many women are turning to natural/herbal cures to treat yeast infections. This is because natural remedies are safer, gentler, cheaper, and in many cases more effective.

Colon Cleanser Product - How to Choose the Best One
By: Raj Kumar | 20/08/2008
Colon Cleanser product? Is it strange for you? Nope, not possible! It is pretty simple; statistics show that up to 60,000 people in the US alone die from colonic cancer a year. Out of them, many deaths occur because of colorectal cancer and more sadly, it could have been easily prevented by some colon cleanser product that would lead to a dip in that deadly statistics that regards the colorectal cancer.

Alternative Health Clinic Information, Advice, and Techniques
By: JP Richardson | 20/08/2008
Visit an alternative health clinic if you are interested in exploring options that do not fall within the realm of conventional medicine. This alternative health approach to healing is more metaphysical and spiritual, and goes along with the...

Home Remedies For Fighting Baldness
By: Paul Hata | 20/08/2008
Fret not, there are several home remedies that have been known to actually work, just finding what will work best for you is extremely time consuming since you need to give each remedy a chance to actually work.

Amazing And Effective Natural Remedies For Sinus Infection
By: keith henry | 20/08/2008
Many people suffer from sinus infections some so much that they end up in surgery. However, there are some very effective and inexpensive natural remedies...

More from Victor Epand

Designer Board Games With Specialty Rules
By: Victor Epand | 21/08/2008 | Art and Entertainment
This article is about designer board games that have specialty rules, these games span over a wide range of games that are made more fun with rules that move away from the normal game rules.

What Makes A Good Movie?
By: Victor Epand | 21/08/2008 | Movies
The article explores the ingredients that are necessary for making a good movie. It gives the reader some idea about the formula for the success of a movie.

Figurines For Holiday Themes At Home
By: Victor Epand | 21/08/2008 | Interior Design
This article describes how much fun it can be to make holiday themes with figurines. It also gives suggestions for figurines for each room of the house.

How To Remove An Installed Car Stereo
By: Victor Epand | 21/08/2008 | Electronics
Sometimes you may want to remove your installed car stereo system and replace it with a new one. This article speaks about the ways to remove it quickly and easily.

Tips That Every Chess Player Should Know
By: Victor Epand | 21/08/2008 | Art and Entertainment
This articles gives some very valuable information that the players of chess will want to know to be successful at playing the game.

Alternate Rules For Board Games
By: Victor Epand | 21/08/2008 | Art and Entertainment
This article covers board games that have alternate rules and add a twist to the traditional rules, for those who want to add a little spice to their game play.

Read Yoga Books For Wellness
By: Victor Epand | 19/08/2008 | Wellness
Yoga can help you refresh your soul, mind and body. Since it is not possible for everyone to join yoga classes, yoga books can be a great help. This article is about the benefits of yoga books.

Value Of Vedic Astrology In The Zodiac Symbol Of Taurus
By: Victor Epand | 18/08/2008 | New Age
Individuals born under the Zodiac sign of Taurus have a overwhelming tendency to indulge in foods that are rich in calories and flavor. To find out more about the Zodiac sign of Taurus, then there are plenty of books available that will allow individuals to research the true meaning of this sign.

Article Categories






Give Feedback

Sign up for our email newsletter

Receive updates, enter your email below