Ayurveda

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Ayurveda
The science of life
Man has eternally endeavored to keep himself free
from three types of miseries namely physical,
mental and spiritual. Hence the history of
medicine is as old as the history of mankind. As
per our tradition the primary objectives of human
life are dharma or to perform religious rites,
artha or to acquire wealth, kama or to satisfy
the worldly desires and moksha or to attain
liberation. Good health was considered to be the
essential condition for the achievement of these
objectives. According to Caraka (one of the
greatest saints ever, who compiled Caraka
Samhita which is an important text of ayurvedic
science ), ayurveda or the science of life had
always been in existence and there had always
been people who understood it in their own way.
Ayurveda , unani, siddha, emchi (Tibetan) and
prakritika chikitsa (naturopathy) are the various
traditional systems of medicine still prevalent
in India. Yoga and Tantra which are primarily
meant for spiritual ailments have also certain
prescription for the prevention and cure of
psychic, somatic and psychosomatic ailments.
However Ayurveda is the most popular among not
only the people of India but also through out the
world, and has a unique position among them.
Definition of Ayurveda The word ayurveda is
composed of two Sanskrit terms, viz, ayus
meaning life and veda meaning knowledge,
combined together it means science of life or
knowledge of life it is always used to imply
the science of Medicine in a limited sense.
Caraka has defined ayurveda as the science
through the help of which one can obtain
knowledge about the useful and harmful types of
life (hita and ahita ayus),happy and miserable
types of life, things which are useful and
harmful for such types of life, the span of life
as well as the very nature of life. From this
definition ayurveda emphasis upon not only
leading a life which is full of happiness, which
implies a personal attitude but also leading a
life which will be useful to society as a whole.
Man is a social being. He can not withdraw from
society. Unless society becomes happy, it is
impossible for the individual to attain or
maintain his or her own happiness.
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• Eight branches of ayurveda
• Kayacikitsa or internal medicine.
• Salya tantra or surgery.
• Salakya tantra or the Treatment of diseases of
  head, neck and throat.
• Agada tantra or Toxicology.
• Bhuta vidya or the management of seizures by
  evil spirits and other mental disorders.
• Bala vidya or paediatrics.
• Rasayana tantra or Geriatrics including
  rejuvenation Therapy.
• Vajikarana tantra or Science of Aphrodisiacs.
• Unique features of ayurveda
• Treatment of individual as a whole In modern
  medicine treatment is more symptomatic means
  correcting the afflicted part of the body, where
  as in ayurveda while treating a disease, the
  individual as a whole is taken into
  consideration. Not only the condition of other
  parts of the body but also the condition of the
  mind and soul are taken into account while
  treating the patient.
• Free from toxicity ayurvedic medicines have
  centuries of traditional experience behind them.
  Therefore they produce little toxicity in the
  human body. Though certain toxic materials are
  used for the preparations of medicines, they are
  always detoxicated and made more acceptable to
  the body before they are actually administered in
  the form of a medicine.
• Each medicine is a tonic all ayurvedic
  medicines can be used simultaneously both by the
  patients and healthy individuals. In patients
  they cure diseases and in healthy persons they
  increase immunity against diseases.

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Concept of Ayurveda According to ayurveda
human body is made up of three fundamental
elements called dosas, dhatus and malas. The
dosas govern the physio-chemical and
physiological activities of the body, while
dhatus enter into the formation of the basic
structure of a body cell and perform some
specific actions. Malas are substances partly
utilized in the body and partly excreted in a
modified form after performing their
physiological functions. These three elements are
said to be in a dynamic equilibrium with each
other for the maintenance of health. Any
imbalance of their relative preponderance in the
body results in disease and decay. Dosas are
mainly three known as vata(air), pita (fire), and
kapha (water). When these three are in a state of
equilibrium along with properly functioning
datus, malas, sense organs with a pleasant state
of mind and spirit is considered as positive
health. Any imbalance in the above factors result
in disease. Examination of patients Mainly the
examinations depends up on eight types which are
pulse, urine, stool, tongue, voice, touch, eyes
and general physical feature. These examinations
are conducted keeping in view the fundamental
principals of ayurveda. Treatment In the event
of the vitiation of bodily dosas, generally three
types of therapies are used, namely (1) internal
cleansing, (2) external cleansing and (3)
surgical therapy. For diseases caused by the
afflictions of evil spirit etc. Psychotherapy is
used. Different types of therapy Ayurvedic
therapies are classified into six categories viz,
Langhana or lightening therapy Brmhana or
nourishing therapy rukshna or drying therapy
Snehana or oleation therapy svedana or
fomentation therapy and finally stambana or
astringent therapy. Drugs used for these
therapies have certain characteristic features.
Pancha karma is the most important part of
cleansing therapy. It includes vamana (vomiting),
virechana (purgation), vasthi (niruha type of
enema), nasyam (inhalation of medicated oil or
powder into nostrils) and Rakthamoshana ( blood
letting ). More over, what you eat that you are.
Ayurveda gives a lot of emphasis on diet and half
of the problems can be rectified through eating
wisely.
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In Kenya we are blessed to have some of these
therapies taking place at AYUSH AYURVEDA AND YOGA
CENTRE which is in brook side groove a km from
sarit centre. Ayurveda the science of life is
a very comprehensive system of healing which is
the most ancient system of medicines with history
of over 3000 years old. A perfect holistic health
approach to attain the balance and tranquility in
body, mind and spirit. Therapies
done Abhyanga With medicated oils,
revitalizing the tissues ensures sound sleep,
improves luster of skin and circulation, removes
toxins from the body, softens body tissues and
relaxes mind. Good for circulatory and motor
neuron disorders. Sweda (steam treatment) An
invigorating herbal steam bath with abhyanga.
Shirodhara (mental stress reliever) Alleviates
stress and mental strain nourishes hair
follicles, recommended for insomnia, hair loss,
dandruff and migraine head ache. Navarakizhi
Special rice prepared with herbal decoction and
milk filled in Muslin bags is applied to the body
with bearable heat. Udvarthanam A special
powder massage to reduce the fat from body. Good
for obesity and cellulites Patra pinda sweda
(maxi rejuvenator) The supreme oil massage
followed by application of special medicinal
leaves in Muslim bag is applied to the
body. Nasyam and talam Application of medicated
oil in to nostrils and head for cleaning the
head, neck and throat regions and for mental
relaxation. Soundaryavardhini (A facial par
excellence) Removes accumulated toxins and dead
skin, revives skin tone, making it fresh and
glowing. Keshini (Beauty for the crowning glory)
Restores natural balance in the scalp/hair
follicle base, controls premature hair loss and
graying, restores a natural sheen. Padashubhakari
(pedicure plus) Soothes the under skin of the
foot, helps to improve circulation, revitalizes
tired feet.
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Karashubhakari (manicure plus) Softens the
hands, improve skin tone and feel, gives you the
manicure effect. Reflexology By simple
technique of applying gentle pressure through
thump to the feet to stimulate and regulate the
bodily functions, to bring balance in mental
Physical and emotional levels. Very good for
relaxation. Yoga and Meditation For over all
personality development at physical, mental,
emotional, intellectual and spiritual levels.
Good for relaxation, recharging and rejuvenation,
removes stress from all levels. Helps to focus
and concentrate and brings clarity in
thinking. Pranayama Controlling breath helps to
control the mind flow and increases the intake of
prana (vital energy) which helps to restore the
vigor, vitality and positive health. Specially
trained therapists from Kerala and Kenya do all
our treatments under the guidance of a qualified
Ayurvedic Doctor from Kerala.

Dr. Sunil Kallungal
BAMS, DSAc, PGDYT.

E-mail sunil.kallungal_at_gmail.com

Mob 254 733 761 705, 721 269 690