 The word Ayurveda can be translated as the Science of Life, or even the Art of Living. Ayurveda is one of the oldest systems of natural health care, originating in the ancient traditions of India. Now considered one of the leading forms of holistic medicine available in the West, Ayurveda addresses all factors that influence our quality of life.
This holistic science is the knowledge of complete balance of the body, mind and spirit at all levels. It includes in its consideration, longevity, rejuvenation and self-realization therapies through herbs, diet, exercise, yoga, massage, aromas, mantras, and meditation.
What is the main aim of Ayurveda?
According to Ayurveda, most people are born in a perfect state of balance but quickly lose it due to a variety of man-made factors, such as a poor diet, unsuitable lifestyle etc. Ayurveda offers everyone the chance to re-discover for themselves what their optimal conditions might be and thereby begin the journey towards maintaining good health consistently.
What is the difference between conventional medicine and Ayurveda?
The major difference between Ayurveda and conventional medicine lies in the treatment method - while most modern medical treatments operate at the symptomatic level, Ayurvedic treatments work at much deeper causative levels. By balancing the doshas (primary life-forces within the body), the root of the problem is solved.
The principles of Ayurveda state that nothing exists in isolation, so that everything you interact with, your diet, family, work or relationships, has an effect on your health and well being. One guiding principle of Ayurveda is that mind and body are connected and that the mind has a profound influence over our health and well-being. While conventional Western medicine is still grounded in the paradigm of mind-body separation, Ayurveda holds that health is more than the absence of disease; it is a dynamic state of balance and integration of body, mind, and spirit.
Some key points:
- Ayurveda considers human beings to be part of nature, and as such, employs all-natural treatment methods.
- Whilst modern medicine is based on germ theory, Ayurveda is based on the theory of biological humors and body energies. This helps it to get to the root of the problem rather than simply addressing the symptoms.
- A fundamental aim of Ayurveda is to prevent illnesses by timely adherence to nature's way. Conventional medicine usually plays no pre-emptive role except in certain specific situations
- Modern medicine uses synthetic and chemical drugs but Ayurvedic treatments are totally natural. Ayurvedic herbs are supplemented with any necessary dietary changes, lifestyle choices, meditation, exercises and yoga. As a result, Ayurvedic remedies do not have harmful side-effects.
 Therefore, Ayurveda allows us to take control of our own destiny. We empower ourselves with consistent good health, rather than relying on an over-worked doctor to provide temporary fixes to our bodies when we fall ill.
Ayurveda’s fundamental belief is that whatever we can do for ourselves to improve our health is far more effective in the long run than what another person can do for us. It's never too late for us to start helping ourselves.
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