Ayurveda, "the science of life", is a highly developed healing system that
originated in India some 5,000 years ago. The word Ayurveda comes from the
Sanskrit words ayus, meaning life or lifespan, and veda, meaning
knowledge. Many scholars consider Ayurveda to be the oldest healing science,
providing a holistic approach to health; it is designed to help people live
long, healthy, and well-balanced lives. The basic principle of Ayurveda is to
prevent illness by maintaining balance in the body, mind, and consciousness
through proper diet, and lifestyle, and the use of herbal remedies. Ayurveda
embodies the values of an integrative approach to medicine.
The Ayurvedic program of healing (Chikitsa) consists of eight steps
designed to rebalance what are called the doshas. Everyone has three
doshas that coexist much like an ecosystem, with one usually being dominant.
They are vata, (biological element of movement), pita (the fire
component that transforms food into energy) and kapha (the cementing,
constructing matter of the body). Any number of factors such as stress, an
unhealthy diet, weather, or strained family relationships can disturb the dosha
balance. Ayurvedic treatment focuses on rebalancing the doshas and preventing
diseases before they occur. Ayurvedic treatment follows these steps:
1. Determining the body make-up (prakruti)
2. Determining the status of the doshas in the body (vikruti)
3. Determining the cause or causes of the illness or disorder by examining
such factors as diet, lifestyle, genetic disposition, and quality of
relationships
4. Removing the cause of illness
5. Establishing the proper regimen of diet, exercise, breathing exercises,
meditation specially tailored to the individual
6. Detoxifying through a 3-stage detoxification program
(panchakarma)
7. Offering rejuvenation for the body to increase immunity and strengthen
affected organs and tissues
8. Administering therapies that are antagonistic to the provoked dosha, using
the principle that opposite qualities balance.
Clinical Ayurveda is an art; it strives to get at the root cause of the
disease and to determine what any particular set of symptoms mean. In theory,
Ayurveda is beneficial in treating functional disorders, like irritable bowel
syndrome and poor digestion, though no direct studies have been done on such
conditions. But the most useful tool Ayurveda provides may be its detoxification
program. When used with conventional therapies, Ayurvedic medicine formulas may
alleviate side effects of certain conventional medical treatments. For example,
results from a clinical trial conducted at the All India Institute of Medical
Sciences suggest that the Ayurvedic herbal formula Maharishi Amrit Kalash
(Amrit) may reduce chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting, weight loss and
other side effects. The study author suggests that Amrit may increase an enzyme
(glutathione peroxidase) involved in the removal of toxins.
Ayurveda integrates many practices, and most Ayurvedic therapies are unlikely
to have adverse side effects. Ayurvedic exercises such as yoga and meditation
have been shown to relieve tension and stress. Yoga is a gentle therapy, but you
should check with your doctor first if you have high blood pressure, heart
disease, or arthritis, and avoid it altogether if you've had a recent back
injury. You should also consult your doctor before trying Ayurvedic diets and
herbs, especially if you follow dietary restrictions to manage a serious
condition like diabetes or heart disease.
Treatment costs vary, but an Ayurvedic specialist with a degree in medicine
will likely charge between $200 and $300 for the first visit and $125 to $150
for follow-up visits. Insurance providers will generally reimburse Ayurvedic
treatment costs if you receive care from an Ayurvedic specialist who is also a
licensed medical practitioner.
For a list of qualified practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine in your area,
contact the National Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine (NIAM) by visiting their
Web site at www.niam.com.
