Ayurveda is a 5000 year age old healing system from India. 'Ayur' means life and 'veda' means science, therefore it is the science of life and longevity.This ancient science recognises the connection between man and nature. We are a microcosm of the Universe as the 5 elements of space, air, fire, water and earth are present in us and around us. These elements govern our physiological, mental and emotional balance. The elements also govern the change of seasons in mother nature and the sunrise and sunset.
The 5 elements are grouped into three biological life forces (bio-energies) also known as doshas and are named Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Vata is a combination of air and space. It governs movement, respiration, nervous system, circulation, ingestion of food, peristalsis of the gastro-intestinal tract, sensation and elimination. Vata causes coldness. The qualities are dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile, clear and astringent in taste. The sites of Vata dosha are the lower abdomen, large intestine, bladder, bones, head, ears, throat, diaphragm and heart function. Clarity, creativity and joy come from Vata. Anxiety and fear also come from Vata.
Pitta is a combination of fire and water. It governs transformation and metabolism, digestion, absorption and assimilation of food. Pitta is the creator of heat. The qualities are hot, sharp, light, liquid, spreading, oily and sour. The sites of Pitta dosha are the eyes, liver, spleen, gallbladder, sweat, blood, stomach and small intestine. Courage, ambition, intelligence and understanding come from Pitta. Anger, heat and impatience come also come from Pitta.
Kapha is a combination of water and earth. It governs lubrication, growth and nourishment, structure and stability, water electrolyte balance, fat regulation, strength and stamina. Kapha can cause coldness and lethargy. The qualities are heavy, slow/dull, cold, oily, liquid, slimy/smooth, dense, soft, static, sticky, cloudy, hard and gross. The sites of Kapha dosha are lungs and respiratory tract, semen, plasma, muscles, fat, lymph, connective tissue, brain and myelin sheath around nerve cell axons. Memory retention, contentment, forgiveness and compassion come from Kapha. Greed, attachment and too much sleeping also come from Kapha.
We all have Vata, Pitta and Kapha within us however each individual has a unique ratio of the doshas. There are as many doshic body types as there are people in the world. Your original body type called Prakruthi never changes and is permanent. When your body is out of harmony due to improper diet, lifestyle, accumulated toxins in the body or mind, imbalanced mind, emotions or external factors such as climate, then the doshas vitiate by increasing or decreasing and this imbalance is called Vikruthi. The goal in Ayurveda is to return to your body to Prakruthi state, which is your perfect ratio that gives you abundant health and harmony of body, mind and spirit. Knowing your Prakruthi also gives you direction upon which illnesses you may have in the future. Treatment can involve, Ayurvedic herbal medicines, doshic diet, lifestyle (daily regimen and seasonal regimen), potent detoxification and rejuvenation therapies known as Panchakarma, meditation, yoga and other gentle therapies to assist the healing process. We are from the nature and we have been given everything we need to heal from nature.
Copyright © 2010 Olivia Wu.
Great information, please post more knowledge.
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