There is Chinese Medicine and there is Ayurveda. Ayurveda was first, it is 5000 years old coming from India. Chinese medicine is old too but it borrowed from Ayurveda and has minor differences. I am looking for help on the differences and that will be a different post.
Ayurveda translates to the Science of life. Again, it is a comprehensive, natural and holistic medicine dating back over 5000 years. It originates from the Himalayan parts of India.
There are 2 Aspects of Ayurveda: A true simple life style system, A complete natural and holistic medicine which treats all diseases.
If you read my Vata post the other day you’ll remember the 3 Doshas. Everything in the world is composed of the 3 doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Vata is a combination of primarily Ether and Air. It governs all movement. Functions of Vata include: movement of thoughts, ingestion, circulation, respiration, peristalsis, elimination. Gumas or qualities of Vata: dry, light, cold, rough, subtle, mobile. Imbalanced Vata exhibits: worry, fear, anxiety, indecisiveness, dryness, gas, bloating, constipation, muscle cramps, joint pain, insomnia. Balanced Vata exhibits: Creativity, Enthusiasm, Flexibility.
Pitta is a combination primarily of Fire and Water. It governs transformation. Functions of Pitta include: metabolism, digestion, body, temperature, appetite, thirst, color. Gumas of Pitta: Oily, sharp, hot, light, spreading, liquid. Imbalanced Pitta exhibits: anger, criticism, judgment, indigestion, heartburn, inflammation, diarrhea, eye problems, skin problems. Balanced Pitta Exhibits: Understanding, Intelligence, Courage, Positive thinking.
Kapha is a combination primarily of Earth & Water. It governs structure. Functions of Kapha include: lubrication, nourishment, support, stability, growth, strength, retention, taste. Gumas of Kapha: heavy, slow, cool, oily, smooth, dense, soft, stable. Imbalanced Kapha exhibits: attachment, greed, possessiveness, slow digestion, colds, cough, congestion, mucous, a tendency for loose ligaments, weight gain. Balanced Kapha exhibits: Love, Compassion, Forgiveness, strength, stability, durability, courage.
7 Tissues: According to Ayurveda the human body consists of 7 tissues: Blood fluid, blood cells, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow, and reproductive tissue.
Agni – Digestion power
Ama – impurities which are formed in the intestine and penetrates into the body
Perfect Health Definition – One who has healthy appetite (agni), balanced Doshas, balanced tissues, good elimination, and his senses, mind and soul are always full of bliss is a healthy person (Sushruita) – And this is recognized by the World Health Organization.
Food Can Bring Balance or imbalance to our mind-body system.
In Ayurveda we classify food into 6 tastes: Sweet, Sour, Salty, Pungent, Bitter, Astringent. Food that contains all 6 tastes in a balanced way gives maximum balance to the mind and body.
When we eat, we take materials from the outer world and assimilate them in the inner world (Our body). This is an interaction between the inner world (micro cosmos) and the outer world (macro cosmos).
The main principle of Ayurveda is: “I am the universe – The universe is me” or put a little differently – “ As is the human spirit so is the world spirit. As is the human body so is the world body” This is a little deep for us Westerners but it is older than our society. Please remember what the Wellness Warrior asks about thinking outside the box. (Himalayan sages say it “Aham Brahmasmi” )
Man and the Cosmos have infinite internal pure intelligence, which reflects and creates the laws of nature. Spirit: Man and the cosmos are built from the same natural laws. – same laws of physics, chemistry, biology, magnetism, etc. Material: The human body is built of 60% water and the globe is covered with 60% oceans. As Ayurveda is a very practical science it gives us tools to understand the world and the human body.
This just touches the surface. There are many good books on Ayurveda and the internet has some great intros. This is one of the areas that Deepak Chopra specializes in. Personally I am just learning this stuff but I have been very impressed so far. It is practical and it does not always conflict with Western thinking. Remember – Take good care of yourself and you can avoid Western doctors. Also Doctors want to cure you with pills. All pills go to symptoms and have side affects. Ayurveda goes to our habits and imbalances and helps us change our ways to get better.
Eat well be well.
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