Ayurveda is one of the oldest medical methods in the world, which began to be practiced in India thousands of years ago. In Ayurveda view, human health is affected by the balance between body, mind, and the human soul itself.
The basic concept of Ayurvedic medicine is to invite people to live healthy lives through special practices, adopt a healthy diet and lifestyle, and perform natural therapies such as using herbal medicines.
Principles of Ayurvedic Medicine
As explained earlier, Ayurveda practitioners believe that health can be achieved if there is a balance between body, mind and spirit. If this balance is disturbed, the opposite of health effects will occur, namely disease attacks. Ayurveda does not focus on fighting disease, but on how to live a healthy life.
According to the Ayurveda view, humans need five elements that control bodily functions, namely earth, water, air, fire, and space. Then the combination of the five elements forms three energy pairs (dosha). Even if one has a third mix dosha that, there is only one dosha that dominates everyone.
In practice, Ayurveda practitioners will ask about the patient's health, diet, and lifestyle first. The practitioner will also make a diagnosis by examining several body parts such as the skin, eyes, nails, lips, and tongue. From there, Ayurveda practitioners will know dosha dominant in the patient's body.
The practice of Ayurveda is generally carried out with several methods, such as meditation, yoga, diet, body treatments, massage, aromatherapy, breathing exercises, vitamin and mineral diets, stretching, and several other methods. This treatment aims to restore harmony and balance dosha in the body.
Types of Energy in Ayurveda
In Ayurvedic medicine, an imbalance in the three dosha believed to trigger the emergence of disease. Third dosha it consists of the following elements:
- Pitta dosha (fire and water)This energy manages several hormones related to appetite, digestion, and body metabolism. Fatigue, too long in the sun, or eating spicy or sour foods, are believed to disturb the balance pitta dosha. Someone who is dominated pitta dosha are more at risk of suffering from Crohn's disease, hypertension, heart disease, emotional stress and infections.
- Vata dosha(space and air)This energy regulates the respiratory tract, blood flow, heart function, mind, and the body's ability to remove toxins from the intestines. Staying up late, being scared, and eating another meal too soon after the main meal can upset the balance of this element. The risk of heart disease, asthma, anxiety, nervous system disorders, skin diseases and rheumatoid arthritis will be greater if the body is dominated vata dosha.
- Kapha dosha(earth and water)Energy Kapha dosha plays a role in regulating body weight, muscle growth, the immune system, and the strength and stability of the body. Eating after the stomach is full, consuming too many sweet and salty foods can cause disturbances in the body dosha this.
According to the Ayurveda point of view, the dominated body kapha have the potential to develop cancer, diabetes, nausea after eating, asthma or obesity.
Although it has been widely practiced, the effectiveness of Ayurvedic medicine has not been medically proven. Some doctors do not recommend this treatment because research reveals that some types of drugs used in Ayurveda contain metals that are harmful to the body, such as mercury, arsenic, and lead.
If you are interested in trying Ayurvedic medicine, it is better to consult your doctor first to weigh the benefits and risks. Choosing the right treatment method will greatly affect the healing of the disease you are experiencing.