Have you ever wondered if there’s more to health than just treating symptoms with pharmaceuticals? Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest medical systems, offers a unique perspective on wellness that might surprise you. Originating in India over 5000 years ago, Ayurveda translates from Sanskrit as the “knowledge of life.” This ancient healthcare tradition emphasizes a holistic approach, connecting mind, body, spirit, and environment.
However, you might be thinking, “Isn’t this just an outdated practice? How does it compare to modern medicine?” These are valid questions, especially given the scientific advancements and the convenience of Western medical practices. Ayurveda might seem complex and rooted in a different culture, but its principles are surprisingly relevant and effective even today.
This article addresses these common objections, providing a balanced view of how Ayurveda complements modern medicine and offering practical insights into its unique benefits. Let’s explore ten fascinating facts about Ayurveda that might just change your perspective on health and wellness. Dive in, and discover how ancient wisdom can enhance modern living.
Facts about Ayurveda
1. It is a lifestyle
Ayurveda focuses on preserving and balancing the constitution of the body, which makes the overall defense system of the body strong. It does not focus on treating the symptoms of ailments. If you are taking ayurvedic treatments for diabetes or any other ailment, you will notice that, along with medications, you will have to make various lifestyle changes. It focuses on your overall health so that your body is able to do its job properly and keep your diseases or complications at bay. As long as you follow those changes, you will be able to control your ailments without any complications.
2. Yoga and Ayurveda are sister sciences
Yoga and Ayurveda go hand in hand. Ayurveda strongly advocates creating balance in our doshas through the means of yoga and pranayama, along with dietary and lifestyle changes. While dietary and lifestyle changes heal us from the inside, yoga and pranayama keep our body healthy by giving it the necessary movement and relieving it from stress and anxiety, which are on the rise in the modern world.
3. This ancient practice is still very effective
As per Ayurveda, our body is an amalgamation of five elements- air, water, space, fire, and earth. These elements in similar or different proportions, give rise to doshas named Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each dosha is a combination of elements that influence our overall personality, health, and even behavior and form our Prakriti. For more insights, read the blog What are the Ayurveda Doshas: Vata, Kapha, and Pitta. Although the prakrti can be influenced by emotions, stress, lifestyle, food habits, etc. But once a person recognizes his/her doshas, a lot can be done to prevent any sort of ailments.
4. Every individual has their unique dosha
As per research, if you tell yourself that your doshas make you, then you might scoff at this idea, but if you do an in-depth analysis, you will find yourself fitting into one of these doshas. For a detailed understanding of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas, watch Understanding Doshas: Vata, Pitta & Kapha | The Ultimate Ayurveda Guide.
Vata dosha is a combination of air and space; Pitta is the combination of water and fire; Kapha is more of a combination of water and earth. Even though everyone acquires the combination of these doshas. But generally, one dosha is more dominant than the others. The dominance of a particular dosha affects the personality of a person, how he reacts to stress, and the kind of disease that can affect him. It also affects the body structure of the person and what kind of food he should eat to keep himself healthy.
5. Ayurveda emphasises more on digestion and life forces
Research says that Ayurveda helps you to find balance in your body by focusing on two main areas: Agni and Prana Shakti. Agni or digestive fire takes care of your overall digestive system and actively eliminates toxins from the body. Also, through the means of different foods and your daily routine, Ayurveda believes in improving your prana, or life forces. If your digestion and Prana Shakti are optimal, then you will be healthy and free of every ailment.
6. It is much more than herbs
Another fact about Ayurveda is that Ayurvedic medicines have so much more than herbs. Yes, herbs are a major component of every ayurvedic medicine, but it also incorporate ghee, honey, rock salt, milk, gingelly oil, butter, and minerals as some of the important components for healing. In some cases, the adjuvants or other carriers are also added to medicine that aids in the healing process.
7. Food holds a major place in Ayurveda
Food has been given the utmost importance in Ayurveda. Learn more about the Ayurvedic diet and its benefits by watching Ayurvedic Diet For Healthy Life | Do’s, Don’ts and Benefits.
As per Ayurveda, food is classified into the following categories: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, pungent, and astringent. One should always adhere to a diet with a combination of these tastes, despite the balanced proportion of protein and carbohydrates in their meals. For specific eating rules to balance your dosha, check out Ayurveda Eating Rules: Balance Diet for Vata, Pitta, Kapha Dosha It is necessary to incorporate these flavours into your meal, and the balance of flavours should be according to your dosha type.
8. Ayurveda cures the root cause of the disease
Ayurveda focuses on the root cause of any illness rather than just warding off the symptoms. That means your doctor will pay more attention to finding the root cause of your disease and the reason for it. Once the doctor finds the reason, he will try to treat that root cause. This will ensure that once it is cleared, your body will be able to take care of the disease itself.
9. Ayurveda sees you as a whole
In Ayurveda, any ailment in the body is referred to as an imbalance of prana (or prana) between your mind, body, spirit, and environment. During your diagnosis, your whole body, mind, and mental health will be taken into consideration; then your treatment will begin with a combination of medicines, food, and lifestyle changes. In order to achieve long-term results, ayurvedic treatments promote balance within the body through diet and lifestyle. Therefore, your practitioner will ask numerous questions regarding it.
10. There are many specialties in Ayurveda
People have this myth that Ayurveda is all about herbs and medicines. However, the fact about Ayurveda is that just like modern medicine this ancient practice also has many specialties. It has surgery ( Shalya-chikitsa), Rejuvenation (Rasayanama), Pediatrics (Kaumarabhrutyam), Internal medicine (Kayachikitsa), and diseases located above the shoulder ( shalakya) , psychiatry (Bhutavidya), and Toxicology (Agadatantram).
Bottom Line
While we are not saying that western medicine is not very superior to Ayurveda, we are saying that Ayurveda is a practice that can complement western medicine very well and people can get the best of both. These are the ten facts about Ayurveda that people should be aware of. Maybe next time you can give Ayurveda a shot. Yes, it will take a long time, but it is worth it.
FAQs
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3215408
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3215408/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5198827/
Anjani Kumar Shrivastava, a distinguished yoga expert with decades of experience, brings healing and wisdom through yoga therapy, meditation, and Ayurvedic principles. His remarkable Read more
