Articles. News. Information.

Category of Information, News & Articles


Ayurveda - Principles & Practice


Ayurveda which has been evolved around 600 BC, apart from treating ailments concentrated more in its prevention. This was followed by the Aryans & Dravidians who were inhabiting India and has been practiced ever since. In the 21st century, Ayurveda has become an indispensable branch of medicine due to its naturalistic approach, that depends on the diagnosis of ones physical base ie Vata, pitta and kabha, and to maintain a right balance.

One of the important principle of Ayurveda treatment is that , treatment is given not only to the ailments or the affected part, but to the person as a whole. This creates an enviornment for purifying your body naturally, which eliminates all toxic imbalances from your body, enabling you to regain natural resistance from diseases and attain good health.

Kerala's equable climate, natural abundance of forests, which caters to the demand for herbs and medicinal plants, and the cool monsoon season (June-November) are best suited for Ayurveda's curative and restorative packages. In fact, today, Kerala is the only State in India which practices this system of medicine with absolute dedication.

Every object-plant, animal or human - according to the Panchabhootha Philosophy (5 elements of philosophy), is constituted of Vata, Pitta, Kapha.

The concentration of these elements vary in each individual and therefore the time, place, duration and kind of treatment required to restore the balance also needs to change. This is why Ayurveda have a separate system of diagnosis and treatment for each patient. And a season for undergoing Ayurvedic programmes - the monsoon. The atmosphere remains dust-free and cool, opening the pores of the body to the maximum, making it most receptive to herbal oils and therapy.

Rejuvenative Programmes The following are the major rejuvenational therapies practacied in Ayurveda.

Rasayana chikitsa Tones up the skin and rejuvenates and strengthens all the tissues so as to achieve ideal health and longevity. Increases Ojas (primary vitality) and improves Sattva (mental clarity) and thereby increases the resistance of the body. Includes head and face creams, body massage with herbal oil or powder by hand and foot intake of rejuvenative medicines and medicated steam bath. Herbal baths are also used.

Kayakalpa Chikitsa Prime treatment for retarding the ageing process, arresting the degeneration of body cells and immunization of the system. Includes intake of Rasayana (special Ayurvedic medicines and diet) and comprehensive body care programmes. Most effective for either sex if undertaken before the age of 50.

Sweda Karma Medicine steam baths eliminate impurities from the body, improve the tone and complexion of the skin, reduce fat and are recommended for certain rheumatic diseases, particularly for pain. Precious herbs and herbal leaves are boiled and the steam is passed over the entire body for 10 to 20 minutes daily.

Hand massage with herbal oils or herbal powder improves blood circulation and tones up the muscles.

Meditation and Yoga Mental and physical exercises meant to isolate the ego from the body and mind-designed to home your concentration, improve health and help attain peace of mind through 8 stages of training.

Disciplined behaviour yama Self purification niyama Bodily postures such as the lotus position asana.

Control of breathing Pranayama Control of the senses Pratyahara, fixing of the mind on a chosen object dharsana. Meditation dhyana and Samadhi - a state of being where you experience absolute tranquility and well being.

Beauty care Herbal face pack, herbal oil massage, intake of herbal tea etc. improves complexion and beautifulness of the body.

Body Slimming Medicated herbal powder and medicated herbal oil massages, and Ayurvedic diet of herbal juices etc. are part of the programme.

Overal Fitness Panchakarma Treatment A five fold treatment for mental and physical well being tunes the body, organs, mind, breath, nerves and purifies the blood.

Therapeutic Programmes Treatment for chronic head-aches, insomnia, mental tension and cases of hysteria, hallucination and insanity.

Dhara: Herbal oils, medicated milk or buttermilk and decoctions are poured on the forehead/whole body in a special manner. Variations include Oorhwanga Dhara (good for diseases of the eyes, ears and skin). Takra Dhara (for those suffering from memory loss, severe headache or insanity) and Sarvanga Dhara (for both head and body). Treatment to alleviate osteoarthritis, leukemia etc.

Snehapanam: Medicated ghee is given internally in a gradually increased quality of specific periods.

Treatment for spondilosis, rheumatic diseases like arthritis, paralysis, hemiplegia, nervous weakness and nervous disorders. Pizhichil: Lukewarm herbal oil is applied with fresh linen all over the body by trained masseurs in a rhythmic manner for a period of 1 to 11/2 hours daily for 7 to 21 days. Treatment for diseases like hemiplegia, paralysis, obsety and certain rheumatic ailments.

Udvarthanam: Therapeutic massage with herbal powders. Treatment for musculoskeletal ailments due to trauma or accidents.

Marma Chiksta: Treatment that works on the extremely sensitive vital points of the body (the 107 marmas).

Treatment for nasal ailments: Nasyam: Inhalation of medicated herbal preparations, decoction oils, ghee etx. to eliminate the morbid factors from the head and neck area.

Treatment for ear ailments Karnapooranam: Medicated oils are applied to the ear for 5 to 10 minutes daily to clean as well as treat specific ailments.

Preventing cataract and strengthening vision: Tharpanam: A treatment for the eyes effective in preventing cataract and strengthening the optic nerve.

Treatment for wasting of muscles, all types or rheumatism, sports injuries, pain in the joints, emaciation of the body or parts of the body and certain kinds of skin diseases.

Navarakizhi: The whole body is made to perspire by the external application of medicated rice packs in the form of blouses tied in muslin bags. Treatment for dryness of nostrils, mouth and throat, severe headaches, facial paralysis and burning sensation in the head.

Sirovasti: Lukewarm herbal oils are poured into a leather cap fitted on the head for specific durations as per physician's recommendation.

********************************************************************************************
Jayachandran.R. Author is a freelance content writer who also owns http://www.aayurmart.com. For more details mailto:ayurmart@gmail.com ********************************************************************************************


MORE RESOURCES:

ABC News

Turkey hopes to become Europe's gas alternative
The Associated Press - 9 hours ago
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — As Europe is once again held hostage to the gas quarrels between Ukraine and Russia, Turkey is hoping to become an alternative route ...
Video: The gas crisis in Europe online france24english
Europe Looks to Alternative Sources for Energy Wall Street Journal
Delo Urging Europe to Look for Alternative to Russian Gas STA - Slovenska Tiskovna Agencija
TREND Information - guardian.co.uk
all 8,412 news articles


The Wand: Nyko announces a high-tech Wii remote alternative
CNET News, CA - 1 hour ago
In an effort to trump the existing Nintendo Wii remote controller, Nyko is introducing what the company is calling the most advanced Wii remote yet. ...


WJBF-TV

Fannie Mae Tests 'Short Sales' as Alternative to Foreclosures
Wall Street Journal - 20 hours ago
In the nation's hardest-hit housing markets, where many borrowers owe more than their homes are worth, short sales are often the only alternative to sales ...
Paulson outlines possibilities for future of GSEs Another Financial Portal
Paulson: Redo Fannie, Freddie Wall Street Journal
all 570 news articles


BBC News

Senators discuss Obama alternative energy proposal
KCAU, IA - 12 hours ago
AP - January 9, 2009 8:05 AM ET SIOUX FALLS, SD (AP) - Democratic President-elect Obama says he wants to double the production of alternative energy in ...
Video: Obama: New Layoffs Show Need for Urgent Action AssociatedPress
Alternative energy producers seek stimulus funds The Hill
Obama's green energy plans build hopes, skepticism Reuters
Energy Risk (subscription) - Petroleumworld.com
all 5,808 news articles


Aching back? Many medical and alternative therapies are available
Los Angeles Times, CA - 1 hour ago
Standard medicine is only one option for back pain treatment; alternative therapies abound. "Many of the techniques, like chiropractic treatment, ...


stv.tv

Exxon CEO doubts Obama's alternative energy goal
Reuters India, India - Jan 8, 2009
In a speech at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, Obama said he wanted the United States to double its output of alternative energy sources ...
Oil giant comes in from the cold Independent
Obama Team, Exxon Mobil Chief Trade Jabs on Energy Wall Street Journal Blogs
Exxon favors carbon tax over cap and trade for CO2 curbs MarketWatch
Bizjournals.com
all 72 news articles


Photo Release -- U-Haul Launches U Car Share -- the Alternative to ...
MSNBC - 15 hours ago
8, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U Car Share is expanding its growth as it partners with the city of Portland by launching the alternative to vehicle ownership. ...


ABC News

‘There Is No Alternative’ Is No Answer
Forward, NY - Jan 8, 2009
But the idea of ein breira — there is no alternative — is easily transformed into a refuge for the intellectually lazy, a bankrupt alibi for all manner of ...
Video: Israel To Allow Gaza Aid CBS
Rami Almeghari: Hardships of Journalism from Gaza Alternative Information Center (AIC)
Local Jewish Academic: Shortage of Muslim Moderates Fuels Mideast ... Broward New Times
The Nation. - Strategy Page
all 12,052 news articles


PhillyDeals: PhillyDeals: Finding alternatives in slowing market
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA - 16 hours ago
Now he's looking for alternative ways to make money from real estate as the market slows. Harden dropped out of Temple University in 1991 to fight at Don ...


Using alternative medicine to treat common ailments
Stamford Advocate, CT - 5 hours ago
For many, the discomfort results in a search for a remedy, which can lead sufferers to nontraditional and alternative sources. ...

Alternative - Google News

Home | Sitemap
© 2006 eInfoJunction.com Homepage | Web Directory | Article Directory