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Ayurveda - Yoga
Nutrition
The Knowledge for attaining
Long Life
"In the great teaching of the Vedas,
there is no touch of sectarianism.
It is of all ages, climes and nationalities
and is the royal road for the attainment of the Great Knowledge. "
- Thoreau,
American Thinker
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Ayur(life)
Veda(science). Thus Ayurveda is the knowledge concerning the maintenance of a long and
healthy life. We owe the research to two sages Charaka and Agnivesa. They outlined a
science living and prolonging life without illness and to achieve self realization.
Charaka has compiled 150 chapters on details of food and drink substances, detailed
classification of disease, lines of treatment, use of drugs, diet and practices of
achieving good health. Throughout the central theme of Vedic sciences are to use the body,
mind and soul to service the real you (cosmic spirit).
Ayurvedic philosophy
and teachings encourage people to follow a pure lifestyle, one that gives clarity, peace
of mind and satisfaction. |
Sensory and
Sensuous Ayurvedic Cuisine
- Through our sensory aspects of taste, smell, visuals, music Ayurvedic cuisine
delivers a sensuous (tantric) experience.
- The
Ayurvedic tradition is at least 5,000 years old in India. It is an integrated and
comprehensive system of health, diet, wellness and balance for the mind, body and spirit.
- When
Ayurvedic principles are applied to health and diet, our world of food and nutrition can
be perceived anew. Many Indian traditional menus are based on these time tested
theories about nutrition, natural law and holistic balance. - The menu
creatively use six tastes (or rasas) of Ayurvedic diet: sweet, sour, salty, bitter,
pungent and astringent.
- A
balance diet in the Ayurvedic tradition does not revolve around fats, carbohydrates,
proteins, calories, vitamins and minerals. Ayurvedic Nutrition takes into account
body tissues, water levels, salt levels, electrolytes in the body, gunas or properties of
food, dosha or properties of the individual, tastes, qualities present in the food and
food sadhana or assimilation by our body.
Ayurveda is a
science of the individual.
Ayurveda
- The Science of Life from India , Ayurvedic
Nutrition , Ayurvedic
Wellbeing, Benefits
of Bindi Beauty Products , Cooking
with the Asian System of Tastes , Eating
Rituals in Ayurvedic Philosophy , Indian
Seasonal-Cooking Philosophy , Individual
Body Type Nutrition , Taste
Chart
A book that I
would recommend for learning Ayurveda is Perfect Health :
The Complete Mind/Body Program for Identifying & Soothing the Source of Your Body's
Reaction
by Dr. Deepak Chopra
Perfect Health by
Dr. Deepak Chopra
Shop for other Ayurvedic books
Click here for subscribing Culinary
Journeys
Indian
Cook Books and their Reviews
This
work is dedicated to my mother Shanta who taught me the tenants of Ayurvedic Cuisine and
Knowledge.
BACK TO MAIN CLASS MENU
©
1990 to 2001 - Kavita Mehta. All Rights Reserved.
Kavita has been giving classes on Indian Cuisine in Minneapolis for the
past 10 years. She now shares her work on her web site for all to enjoy. |
Ayurvedic Medicine: An
Introduction
Ayurvedic medicine (also
called Ayurveda) is one of the world's oldest medical systems. It originated in India and
has evolved there over thousands of years. In the United States, Ayurvedic medicine is
considered complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)—more specifically, a CAM
whole medical system. Many therapies used in Ayurvedic medicine are also used on their own
as CAM—for example, herbs, massage, and specialized diets. This fact sheet provides a
general overview of Ayurvedic medicine and suggests sources for additional information.
Key Points
The aim of Ayurvedic medicine is to integrate and balance the body, mind, and spirit. This
is believed to help prevent illness and promote wellness.
Ayurvedic medicine uses a variety of products and techniques to cleanse the body and
restore balance. Some of these products may be harmful if used improperly or without the
direction of a trained practitioner. For example, some herbs can cause side effects or
interact with conventional medicines.
Before using Ayurvedic treatment, ask about the practitioner's training and experience.
Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use.
Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure
coordinated and safe care.
Background
Ayurvedic medicine, also called Ayurveda, originated in India several thousand years ago.
The term "Ayurveda" combines the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or
knowledge). Thus, Ayurveda means "the science of life."
In the United States, Ayurvedic medicine is considered a type of CAM and a whole medical
system. As with other such systems, it is based on theories of health and illness and on
ways to prevent, manage, or treat health problems.
Ayurvedic medicine aims to integrate and balance the body, mind, and spirit; thus, some
view it as "holistic." This balance is believed to lead to happiness and health,
and to help prevent illness. Ayurvedic medicine also treats specific physical and mental
health problems. A chief aim of Ayurvedic practices is to cleanse the body of substances
that can cause disease, thus helping to reestablish harmony and balance.
Ayurvedic Medicine in India
Ayurvedic medicine, as practiced in India, is one of the oldest systems of medicine in the
world. Many Ayurvedic practices predate written records and were handed down by word of
mouth. Two ancient books, written in Sanskrit more than 2,000 years ago, are considered
the main texts on Ayurvedic medicine—Caraka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. The texts
describe eight branches of Ayurvedic medicine:
Internal medicine
Surgery
Treatment of head and neck disease
Gynecology, obstetrics, and pediatrics
Toxicology
Psychiatry
Care of the elderly and rejuvenation
Sexual vitality.
Ayurvedic medicine continues to be practiced in India, where nearly 80 percent of the
population uses it exclusively or combined with conventional (Western) medicine. It is
also practiced in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Pakistan.
Most major cities in India have an Ayurvedic college and hospital. The Indian government
began systematic research on Ayurvedic practices in 1969, and that work continues.
Use in the United States
The first national data on the use of Ayurvedic medicine in the United States are from a
2002 survey by the National Center for Health Statistics and the National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). The survey asked more than 31,000 adult
Americans about their use of CAM, including Ayurvedic medicine. Among the respondents,
four-tenths of 1 percent had ever used Ayurvedic medicine. Adjusted to nationally
representative numbers, these percentages mean that at the time of the survey, about
751,000 people in the United States had ever used Ayurvedic medicine.
Underlying Concepts
Ayurvedic medicine has several key foundations that pertain to health and disease. These
concepts have to do with universal interconnectedness, the body's constitution (prakriti),
and life forces (doshas).
Interconnectedness. Ideas about the relationships among people,
their health, and the universe form the basis for how Ayurvedic practitioners think about
problems that affect health. Ayurvedic medicine holds that:
All things in the universe (both living and nonliving) are joined together.
Every human being contains elements that can be found in the universe.
Health will be good if one's mind and body are in harmony, and one's interaction with the
universe is natural and wholesome.
Disease arises when a person is out of harmony with the universe. Disruptions can be
physical, emotional, spiritual, or a combination of these.
Constitution (prakriti). Ayurvedic medicine also has specific beliefs about the body's
constitution. Constitution refers to a person's general health, the likelihood of becoming
out of balance, and the ability to resist and recover from disease or other health
problems.
The constitution is called the prakriti. The prakriti is a person's
unique combination of physical and psychological characteristics and the way the body
functions to maintain health. It is influenced by such factors as digestion and how the
body deals with waste products. The prakriti is believed to be unchanged over a person's
lifetime.
Life forces (doshas). Important characteristics of the prakriti are
the three life forces or energies called doshas, which control the activities of the body.
A person's chances of developing certain types of diseases are thought to be related to
the way doshas are balanced, the state of the physical body, and mental or lifestyle
factors.
Ayurvedic medicine holds the following beliefs about the three doshas:
Each dosha is made up of two of five basic elements: ether (the upper regions of space),
air, fire, water, and earth.
Each dosha has a particular relationship to bodily functions and can be upset for
different reasons.
Each person has a unique combination of the three doshas, although one dosha is usually
prominent. Doshas are constantly being formed and reformed by food, activity, and bodily
processes.
Each dosha has its own physical and psychological characteristics.
An imbalance of a dosha will produce symptoms that are unique to that dosha. Imbalances
may be caused by a person's age, unhealthy lifestyle, or diet; too much or too little
mental and physical exertion; the seasons; or inadequate protection from the weather,
chemicals, or germs.
The doshas are known by their original Sanskrit names: vata, pitta, and kapha.
The vata dosha combines the elements ether and air. It is considered the most powerful
dosha because it controls very basic body processes such as cell division, the heart,
breathing, discharge of waste, and the mind. Vata can be aggravated by, for example, fear,
grief, staying up late at night, eating dry fruit, or eating before the previous meal is
digested. People with vata as their main dosha are thought to be especially susceptible to
skin and neurological conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease, anxiety, and
insomnia.
The pitta dosha represents the elements fire and water. Pitta controls hormones and the
digestive system. A person with a pitta imbalance may experience negative emotions such as
anger and may have physical symptoms such as heartburn within 2 or 3 hours of eating.
Pitta is upset by, for example, eating spicy or sour food, fatigue, or spending too much
time in the sun. People with a predominantly pitta constitution are thought to be
susceptible to hypertension, heart disease, infectious diseases, and digestive conditions
such as Crohn's disease.
The kapha dosha combines the elements water and earth. Kapha helps to maintain strength
and immunity and to control growth. An imbalance of the kapha dosha may cause nausea
immediately after eating. Kapha is aggravated by, for example, greed, sleeping during the
daytime, eating too many sweet foods, eating after one is full, and eating and drinking
foods and beverages with too much salt and water (especially in the springtime). Those
with a predominant kapha dosha are thought to be vulnerable to diabetes, cancer, obesity,
and respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
Treatment
Ayurvedic treatment is tailored to each person's constitution. Practitioners
expect patients to be active participants because many Ayurvedic treatments require
changes in diet, lifestyle, and habits.
The patient's dosha balance. Ayurvedic practitioners first determine the patient's primary
dosha and the balance among the three doshas by:
Asking about diet, behavior, lifestyle practices, recent illnesses (including reasons and
symptoms), and resilience (ability to recover quickly from illness or setbacks)
Observing such physical characteristics as teeth and tongue, skin, eyes, weight, and
overall appearance
Checking the patient's urine, stool, speech and voice, and pulse (each dosha is thought to
make a particular kind of pulse).
Treatment practices. Ayurvedic treatment goals include eliminating impurities, reducing
symptoms, increasing resistance to disease, and reducing worry and increasing harmony in
the patient's life. The practitioner uses a variety of methods to achieve these goals:
Eliminating impurities. A process called panchakarma is intended to cleanse the body by
eliminating ama. Ama is described as an undigested food that sticks to tissues, interferes
with normal functioning of the body, and leads to disease. Panchakarma focuses on
eliminating ama through the digestive tract and the respiratory system. Enemas, massage,
medical oils administered in a nasal spray, and other methods may be used.
Reducing symptoms. The practitioner may suggest various options, including physical
exercises, stretching, breathing exercises, meditation, massage, lying in the sun, and
changing the diet. The patient may take certain herbs—often with honey, to make them
easier to digest. Sometimes diets are restricted to certain foods. Very small amounts of
metal and mineral preparations, such as gold or iron, also may be given.
Increasing resistance to disease. The practitioner may combine several herbs, proteins,
minerals, and vitamins in tonics to improve digestion and increase appetite and immunity.
These tonics are based on formulas from ancient texts.
Reducing worry and increasing harmony. Ayurvedic medicine emphasizes mental nurturing and
spiritual healing. Practitioners may recommend avoiding situations that cause worry and
using techniques that promote release of negative emotions.
Use of plants. Ayurvedic treatments rely heavily on herbs and other plants—including
oils and common spices. Currently, more than 600 herbal formulas and 250 single plant
drugs are included in the "pharmacy" of Ayurvedic treatments. Historically,
Ayurvedic medicine has grouped plant compounds into categories according to their effects
(for example, healing, promoting vitality, or relieving pain). The compounds are described
in texts issued by national medical agencies in India. Sometimes, botanicals are mixed
with metals or other naturally occurring substances to make formulas prepared according to
specific Ayurvedic text procedures; such preparations involve several herbs and herbal
extracts and precise heat treatment.
Practitioner Training and Certification
Many practitioners study in India, where there are more than 150 undergraduate and 30
postgraduate colleges for Ayurvedic medicine. Training can take 5 years or longer.
Students who receive their Ayurvedic training in India can earn either a bachelor's degree
(Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, BAMS) or doctoral degree (Doctor of Ayurvedic
Medicine and Surgery, DAMS) there. After graduation, some Ayurvedic practitioners choose
to provide services in the United States or other countries.
The United States has no national standard for training or certifying Ayurvedic
practitioners, although a few states have approved Ayurvedic schools as educational
institutions.
Concerns About Ayurvedic Medications
Ayurvedic practice involves the use of medications that typically contain herbs,
metals, minerals, or other materials. Health officials in India and other countries have
taken steps to address some concerns about these medications. Concerns relate to toxicity,
formulations, interactions, and scientific evidence.
Toxicity. Ayurvedic medications have the potential to be toxic. Many materials used
in them have not been thoroughly studied in either Western or Indian research. In the
United States, Ayurvedic medications are regulated as dietary supplements. As such, they
are not required to meet the safety and efficacy standards for conventional medicines. An
NCCAM-funded study published in 2004 found that of 70 Ayurvedic remedies purchased
over-the-counter (all manufactured in South Asia), 14 contained lead, mercury, and/or
arsenic at levels that could be harmful. Also in 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention reported that 12 cases of lead poisoning occurring over a recent 3-year period
were linked to the use of Ayurvedic medications.
Formulations. Most Ayurvedic medications consist of combinations of herbs and other
medicines. It can be challenging to know which components are having an effect and why.
Interactions. Whenever two or more medications are used, there is the potential for
them to interact with each other. As a result, the effectiveness of at least one may
increase or decrease in the body.
Scientific evidence. Most clinical trials (i.e., studies in people) of Ayurvedic
approaches have been small, had problems with research designs, lacked appropriate control
groups, or had other issues that affected how meaningful the results were. Therefore,
scientific evidence for the effectiveness of Ayurvedic practices varies, and more rigorous
research is needed to determine which practices are safe and effective.
Other Points To Consider About Using Ayurvedic Medicine
Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use,
including Ayurvedic medicine. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your
health. This will help to ensure coordinated and safe care. For tips about talking with
your health care providers about CAM, see NCCAMs Time To Talk campaign.
Women who are pregnant or nursing, or people who are thinking of using Ayurvedic therapy
to treat a child, should be especially sure to consult their health care provider.
It is important to make sure that any diagnosis of a disease or condition has been made by
a provider who has substantial conventional medical training and experience with managing
that disease or condition.
Proven conventional treatments should not be replaced with an unproven CAM treatment.
It is better to use Ayurvedic remedies under the supervision of an Ayurvedic medicine
practitioner than to try to treat yourself.
Before using Ayurvedic treatment, ask about the practitioner's training and experience.
Find out whether any rigorous scientific studies have been done on the therapies in which
you are interested.
NCCAM-Funded Research |
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