Ayurveda is a healing system that evaluates a patient's physical, emotional and spiritual balance. According to Ayurveda, each person is made up of three different life energies, or doshas, known as vata, pitta and kapha. When the doshas become imbalanced and are manifested as physical, emotional and spiritual symptoms, Ayurvedic herbs and dietary changes can realign the imbalances, according to the "Yoga Journal." Be sure to consult a practitioner before applying Ayurvedic remedies.
History
Ayurveda is the Sanskrit word for "knowledge of life" and was first recorded about 5,000 years in the ancient the Vedas, which are ancient Sanskrit texts, according to the "Yoga Journal." There are two types of Ayurveda, traditional and Maharishi. Practitioners from both types of Ayurveda prescribe herbs, use many of the same remedies for treating illness and believe disease results from an imbalance in the doshas. Maharishi is a type of Ayurveda, however, that places emphasis on the role of meditation as a method to experience healthy balance with the universe, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Function
Dietary choices are important in Ayurvedic treatment because according to the philosophy, every food affects each dosha. For example, a patient with a dominant vata would have a tendency toward digestive problems and should avoid chili and heavy dairy foods, for example, because they are difficult to digest. Indian food is not necessarily included in Ayurvedic dietary recommendations, although often the two are associated. A dosha balancing diet can include only Western or other foods, according to the "Yoga Journal."
Types
There are several types of treatments Ayurvedic practitioners recommend to balance the doshas, including diet, herbs, exercise and meditation. The purpose of the treatments is to realign the three dosha types -- vata, pitta and kapha. Vata is ruled by air and movement; pitta is ruled by fire; and kapha is ruled by earth, according to the "Yoga Journal." The dosha imbalances are manifested by a variety of emotional, physical and spiritual traits, such as a headache, or anger.
Ayurvedic treatments include: Pranayama, or calming, breathing exercises; abhyanga, or rubbing the skin with herbal oil to increase blood circulation; rasayana, or mantras; and yoga, or combining pranayama, meditation and movement, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Benefits
Several Ayurvedic herbal remedies have been informally evaluated, but further studies are necessary for scientific corroboration of their use. According to anecdotal reports, guggul is an Ayurvedic herb used to treat high cholesterol and is used often in India. It is thought that the method of action of guggul is that it blocks creation of cholesterol in the liver, which lowers overall cholesterol levels.
A treatment to reduce the pain and swelling of arthritis includes combining yoga with an Ayurvedic herbal remedy containing boswellia, winter cherry and turmeric. For diabetes, fenugreek seeds contain high levels of fiber, which may help control blood sugar, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Be sure to consult with a practitioner regarding the use of these and other herbs to treat health issues.
Considerations
Most Ayurvedic therapies, such as meditation, do not have negative side effects. Ayurvedic herbal remedies may, however, contraindicate with other medications. Consult your health care provider prior to trying Ayurveda, particularly if you take medications or have health conditions that require a specific diet, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
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