With a focus on balancing the mind, body and spirit, Ayurveda is one of the world's oldest systems of health and medicine, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine explains. To restore patients' health, Ayurveda prescribes therapies such as herbal treatments, customized diets, lifestyle adjustments and massage. Although Ayurveda originally developed on the Indian subcontinent, this health system has gained popularity in America as a supplement or alternative to conventional medicine.
History
The tenets of Ayurveda first appeared more than 5,000 years ago in a set of Indian spiritual books known as the Vedas, according to the Florida Vedic College. Originally entwined with the Hindu religion, Ayurveda gained prominence as a health system in 1500 B.C. when it was divided into eight distinct medical branches and produced two Ayurvedic schools: one of physicians and one of surgeons. For centuries afterward, India's Ayurvedic schools attracted physicians from around the globe, and Ayurvedic texts influenced the development of other medical systems such as Islamic medicine and early Western medicine, the Florida Vedic College explains. Today, Ayurveda remains a prominent medical system in southern Asia, and Ayurvedic schools worldwide offer licensure and degrees for Ayurvedic practitioners.
Beliefs
Ayurveda embraces the concept of interconnectedness among the mind, body and spirit, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine explains. In Ayurvedic belief, all living and nonliving elements of the world are joined together, and disease is a result of disharmony between an individual and the rest of the universe--whether on a physical, spiritual or emotional level. To treat illness, Ayurvedic practitioners focus on restoring balance to a patient's life.
Features
To help patients achieve or maintain health, Ayurveda utilizes a number of therapies and treatments. As AyurvedHealthCare.com explains, the most common healing techniques include yoga, acupuncture, dietary adjustments, breathing exercises and massage. Ayurvedic physicians may also prescribe herbs or herbal combinations to relieve ailments. To accommodate the specific needs of each individual, Ayurveda customizes treatments based on a patient's physical characteristics and body type, and evaluates all factors that may influence health--including environment, psychological influences, stress, relationship conflicts and lifestyle habits, AyurvedHealthCare.com explains.
Benefits
Proponents of Ayurveda ascribe a spectrum of benefits to this medical system. According to Kerala Ayurveda, Ayurveda views patients holistically rather than as a collection of physical symptoms, leading to personalized treatments that treat the mind along with the body. In addition, Kerala Ayurveda says Ayurvedic exercises such as yoga can enhance circulation and strengthen the body's muscles, and Ayurvedic therapies such as massage can relieve anxiety and promote relaxation.
Warning
Although Ayurveda has strong anecdotal support as a healing system, few scientific studies have confirmed the safety and effectiveness of Ayurvedic treatments--particularly herbal remedies. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Ayurvedic herbs and supplements are not as thoroughly regulated as conventional medications in the United States, and some Ayurvedic remedies may be toxic or contain harmful substances such as lead, mercury or arsenic. To avoid dangerous side effects and drug interactions, only use Ayurvedic treatments under the supervision of a qualified physician.
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