Ayurveda

Ayurvedic medicine also known as Ayurveda. It is one of the world's oldest holistic (whole-body) healing systems. It was developed thousands of years ago in India. It is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. The primary focus of Ayurvedic medicine is to promote good health, rather than fight disease. But treatments may be recommended for specific health problems.

Ayurveda Concepts

According to Ayurvedic theory, everything in the universe living or not is connected. Good health is achieved when your mind, body, and spirit are in harmony with the universe. A disruption of this harmony can lead to poor health and sickness.
For followers of Ayurveda, anything that affects your physical, spiritual, or emotional well-being can cause you to be out of balance with the universe. Some things that can cause a disruption include:

		Genetic or Birth defects
		Injuries
		Climate and seasonal changes
		Age
		Emotions

How your body works to keep you healthy and your unique physical and psychological characteristics combine to form your body's constitution, or prakriti. Your prakriti is believed to stay the same for your entire life. However, how you digest food and eliminate waste can influence it. Every person is made of a combination of five basic elements found in the universe:

		Space
		Air
		Fire
		Water
		Earth

These elements combine in the human body to form three life forces or energies, called Doshas. They control how your body works. The three Doshas are:

		Vata Dosha (space and air)
		Pitta Dosha (fire and water)
		Kapha Dosha (water and earth)

Everyone inherits a unique mix of the three doshas. One dosha is usually more dominant. Each dosha controls a different body function. It is believed that your chances of getting sick are linked to the balance of your doshas.

---

Ayurvedic Medicine

Vata Dosha

Vata dosha (space and air) is thought to be the most powerful of all three doshas. It controls very basic body functions, such as how cells divide. It also controls your:

		Mind
		Breathing
		Blood Flow
		Heart Function
		Ability to get rid of body waste through the intestines

Things that can disrupt this dosha are:

		Eating dry fruit
		Eating too soon after a previous meal
		Fear
		Grief
		Staying up too late

If vata dosha is your main life force, you are more likely to develop:

		Anxiety
		Asthma
		Heart Disease
		Nervous System Disorders
		Rheumatoid Arthritis
		Skin Problems

Pitta Dosha

The pitta dosha (fire and water) controls:

		Digestion
		Ability to break down foods (metabolism)
		Certain hormones linked to appetite

Things that can disrupt this dosha are:

		Eating sour foods
		Eating spicy foods
		Fatigue
		Spending too much time in the sun

If pitta dosha is your main life force, you are more likely to develop:

		Anger and negative emotions
		Crohn's Disease
		Heart disease
		Heartburn a few hours after eating
		High blood pressure
		Infections

Kapha Dosha

The kapha dosha (water and earth) controls:

		Muscle Drowth
		Body strength and stability
		Weight
		Immune System

Things that can disrupt this dosha are:

		Daytime Sleeping
		Eating after your stomach is full
		Eating or drinking items that have too much salt or water
		Eating too many sweet foods
		Greed

If kapha dosha is your main life force, you are more likely to develop:

		Asthma and other breathing disorders
		Cancer
		Diabetes
		Nausea after eating
		Obesity

The Ayurvedic Visit

There are a few state-approved Ayurvedic schools in the U.S. However, the U.S. has no national standard training or certification program for Ayurvedic practitioners. Some practitioners may have a great deal of training or experience, others may not. Do your homework when choosing an Ayurvedic practitioner. Ask about his or her training and experience. In India, Ayurvedic training can take five or more years. Graduates receive either a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) or Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (DEMS) degree. At your first visit, the practitioner will examine you and try to determine your primary dosha and the balance among the others. The exam will include:

		Checking your weight
		Examination of urine and stools
		Feeling your pulse (each dosha theoretically creates a unique pulse)
		Listening to your speech and voice
		Looking at your eyes, teeth, tongue, and skin

You will be asked questions about your:

		Ability to recover from an illness
		Behaviors
		Diet
		Lifestyle
		Medical history, including recent illnesses

Ayurvedic Treatment

Treatment depends on your unique prakriti, your primary dosha, and the balance between all three of them. A main goal of Ayurvedic medicine is to cleanse your body of undigested food called ama, which can stick to the inside of your body and make you sick. This cleansing process is called panchakarma. It is used to reduce any symptoms and reestablish harmony and balance. Panchakarma may include:

		Blood purification (either by removing blood from the body or with special teas)
		Massage
		Medical oils given through the nose
		Methods to make you vomit
		Use of enemas, laxatives, or purgatives to cleanse your intestines

Other treatments may also be recommended to:

		Restore balance
		Improve spiritual healing
		Boost your immunity
		Reduce symptoms

The treatments may include:

		Aromatherapy
		Breathing exercises
		Diet changes
		Herbs, vitamins, minerals, and metals
		Plant-based oils and spices
		Lifestyle changes
		Meditation
		Stretching
		Yoga

Studies on Ayurvedic Medicine

Some research has shown that meditation works very well in relieving stress and reducing the risk for heart disease risk factors. Other studies are looking into the ability of Ayurvedic herbs to treat cancer. Several Ayurvedic herbal treatments have been studied for a variety of medical conditions. An example is ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) that has anti-depressant, anti-anxiety, and, possibly, anti-cancer effects. Recently, scientists have reported that Ayurveda may be a valuable tool in managing obesity and diabetes.

---

Dhanwantari  joins the ancient principles of Ayurvedic medicine with the latest scientific technology to provide the highest quality herbal supplements available. Ayurveda literally means “the science of life,” and Dhanwantari Herbs was founded by Ayurvedic and Naturopathic physicians who believe in healthy living in body, mind, and spirit. We also believe that maintaining the highest quality-control standards in the herbal supplement industry goes hand in hand with that commitment. Ayush Herbs has maintained these standards since it was founded and we are committed to continuing that tradition as we meet the needs of our customers in the years to come.