What is Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the world's oldest still practiced medical system.
Ayurveda literally means the "science of life". It first originated in India over 10h,000 years ago and is generally believed to be the oldest healing science in existence, and the science from which all other systems and practices emerged. It is correctly pronounced "Aa-your-vay-da", this ancient healing system has three main focuses:
- Healing illness
- Prevention of disease
- Longevity or age reversal
Ayurveda defines various etiological factors for diseases in general. The science breifs 7 causes as sahaja (congenital factor ),garbhaja (not satisfying urges of apregnant lady),jataja (causes after birth -improper diet ,lack of exercises ,etc causing diseases like obesity, cardiac problems etc) )peedaja ( due to injuries )kalaja (due to seasonal changes ), prabhavaja,(eternal causes) swabhavaja.( conditions like aging , thirst etc).
The concept of HEALTH in Ayurveda is the most holistic concept . States health as complete balance of the three humours ( vata, pitha, kapha ), proper functioning of agni (digestive power ),balance in all dhatu (differant types of tissues or building units of the body ),proper evacuation of urges .
The most revolutionary idea in origin of disease is the concept of Aama .Concept of ama has been used in different context.The food we take in ,if not digested properly will transform into a putrefying state called aama , end result will be belching, bloating , etc..Another concept of aama is attributed as orgin of disease. Any disease has its orgin from aama , either at tissue level or at digestion level .In short aama has a concept of anything that is toxic to the body , whether as indigested food or any external agent entered the body .
The immune system can become depleted by poor nutrition, overwork, drugs and other excesses. The finest essence of nutrition develops a life sap that protects the immune system, much like the sap of a tree heals the bruises in its bark. In addition to promoting physical health, it is the life sap becomes transformed through meditation to produce mental peace and spiritual development. With all the immune disorders that are prevalent these days, it is even more important that persons develop their immune sap.
