The millennia-old system of Ayurvedic medicine originated in India. Ayurvedic medicine aims to prevent illness and enhance wellness through the integration and balance of mind, body and spirit. If you are considering the use of Ayurvedic therapies, ask your physician if they can be integrated into your comprehensive treatment plan.
Theory of Ayurveda
In Ayurvedic theory, five elements -- space, fire, air, earth and water -- make up all of physical creation, which naturally includes humans. Three life forces known as "doshas" are believed to be made up of specific pairings of the elements. Each person has a primary "dosha," or constitutional type. When doshas become unbalanced, illness results, according to Acharya Vipul Rao in "Ayurvedic Treatment for Common Diseases."
Common Herbs in Ayurveda
Thousands of herbs are used in Ayurvedic medicine. Among those most popular in the west, according to physician Wendy Kohatsu in "Complementary and Alternative Medicine Secrets," are tulsi, turmeric, neem, ashwagandha, fenugreek, bitter melon and guggul. Tulsi and turmeric may have antiviral properties. Neem is used in dentistry and as an antimicrobial. Ashwagandha stimulates the immune system. Fenugreek and bitter melon are reputedly useful in the treatment of diabetes, and guggul may help reduce cholesterol. Consult your physician before using Ayurvedic herbs for any health condition.
Other Ayurvedic Therapies
Ayurvedic medicine extends beyond the use of herbs. In "Ayurveda Revolutionized: Integrating Ancient and Modern Ayurveda," Edward F. Tarabilda explains that traditional Ayurveda also includes modalities such as surgical techniques, massage, nutritional therapies, aromatherapy and panchakarma, a physiological purification therapy. Ayurvedic surgery is rarely practiced today, having been usurped by western surgical methods.
Warnings
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the toxicity, formulations, interactions, and scientific evidence underlying Ayurvedic herbal medicine have raised concerns in conventional medical circles. Many of the ingredients in Ayurvedic formulations have not been examined by modern scientists. These formulations typically use more than one herb, so there is the potential for them to interact with each other or to cause adverse reactions in combination with over-the-counter or prescription medicines. In addition, while some scientific studies have been done on Ayurvedic herbal medicine, many of them have been small or have had problems with their design that render the results questionable.
References
- "Ayurvedic Treatment for Common Diseases"; Acharya Vipul Rao; 2005
- "Complementary and Alternative Medicine Secrets"; Wendy Kohatsu; 2002
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Ayurvedic Medicine: An Introduction
- "Ayurveda Revolutionized: Integrating Ancient and Modern Ayurveda"; Edward F. Tarabilda; 1997
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