Ayurvedic medicine---also known simply as Ayurveda---was developed in India. Ayurvedic medicine may be best known for its herbal compounds, such as triphala, but also involves other treatment methods, such as massage, diet and modifying daily habits. As with all treatment methods, improper use of Ayurvedic medicine may result in unintended harmful side effects. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, around 80 percent of India's population uses Ayurveda to some degree.
Definition
Auyrveda means, literally, "the science of life". It derives from the Sanskrit words ayur and veda, which mean life and science or knowledge, respectively. Instead of focusing on individual symptoms, Ayurveda aims to reach a state of balance between the energies within us. Within the Ayurvedic system, all wisdom is believed to come from one source, known as Paramatman.
Tridosha
Ayurveda recognizes three universal energies, known as the tridosha, that guide all natural processes in all scopes. The energies making up the tridosha are the vata dosha, derived from a Sanskrit word translated as "that which moves things;" the pitta dosha, which derives from a word meaning "to shine" or "that which digests;" and the kapha dosha, derived from a term that means "that which holds things together; to embrace; coherent."
Prakriti
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the Ayurvedic concept of prakriti is "a person's unique combination of physical and psychological characteristics and the way the body functions to maintain health." The doshas are an important characteristic of your prakriti; you don't have just one dosha present in your body but, instead, a balance among them. The doshas themselves are made up from the five basic elements---ether, air, fire, water and earth---with each dosha combining two elements.
Documentation
Much of Ayurvedic wisdom has been handed down through oral traditions. The main Ayurvedic texts, Caraka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, were written in Sanskrit more than 2,000 years ago. Ayurveda is practiced not just in India but also in Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and is often viewed in Western countries as a form of complementary medicine.
Tissues
According to the Ayurvedic tradition, the human body is composed of seven different types of tissue: Plasma, formed blood cells, muscle tissues, fatty tissues, bone, reproductive tissue, and bone marrow and nervous tissue.
Concerns
Potential concerns you should consider when seeking treatment in the Ayurvedic tradition include: Potential toxicity in herbal compounds, especially when sold as supplements; possible interactions between herbal compounds and other supplements or drugs you are taking; and ensuring that the practitioner is well-trained and reputable, such as trained in one of the many Ayurvedic colleges or hospitals in India.
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