Ayurveda
& Panchakarma
Ayurveda
was first recorded in the Vedas it is a part of Rig Veda
and Atharva Veda. The Vedic system, including Ayurveda,
has been in practice in India since 4000 B.C.
Vedic
science also includes yoga, meditation, marma, mantra
and astrology to deal with the physical body, mind, soul
and emotions. Ayurveda helps the healthy person maintain
health and an ailing person regain health. It is both
a medical and metaphysical healing science. It includes
herbal medicines, diet, lifestyle, home remedies, panchakarma,
bodywork, psychology and spirituality.
All
Ayurvedic literature is based on the Samkya philosophy
of creation. “Sat” means “truth” and
“Kya” means “to seek”, to know.
The
ancient Rishis, or realized beings, discovered the truths
of Ayurveda by means of religious practices, disciplines
and through intensive meditations. Rishis and sages like
Shushrut, Charaka, Vagbhatt, and Sharangdhar created great
books called Samhita or Granthas (commentaries), contributing
their efforts and insights to make it available to all
of us.
Ayurveda
is concerned with eight principle branches of medicines:
They are
-
General Medicine
-
Pediatrics
-
Gynecology
-
Obstetrics
-
Geriatrics and Rejuvenation
-
Poisons, Ghosts and Planets
-
Ear, Nose, Throat, Eye and Head and 8
-
Surgery
All these medical specialties are addressed according
to the theories of five elements (Ether, Air, Fire, Water
and Earth), the Tridoshas or bodily humors (Vata, Pitta,
Kapha), the seven Dhatus or bodily tissues, the three
Malas or waste products of body (urine, stool and sweat),
and spiritual growth. Any imbalance between body, mind,
soul and environment begins the process of dis-ease.
Ayurvedic
treatment not only works on the imbalance but also emphasizes
achieving more health, longevity, getting rid of old traumas,
and awareness. There are various treatments including
a daily regime, meditations, pranayama, yoga, balanced
diet according to the body type, the attributes, the herbs,
and a variety of cleansing detox process called panchakarma.
Panch
Karma includes:
-
Shirodhara for getting more mental peace and opening
Sahasrar Chakra, clearing the path for achieving Kundalini
awakening and controlling blood pressure.
-
Heart Dhara to open and rejuvenate Heart Chakra.
-
Kidney Dhara to heal and Rejuvenate Swathisthan Chakra.
-
Herbal enemas for opening the Nabhi Chakra and clean
the digestive system to facilitate normal movements
to the air and space (vata) elements in the intestines.
-
Virechan or Purgation treatment to remove the toxins
accumulated in the system due to pitta.
-
Nasya for clearing the sinuses and to facilitate the
breathing.
Marma
points are also described in Ayurveda. There are 108 subtle
energy reservoirs in the body which when stimulated or
pressed properly opens the energy flow instantly and helps
to rejuvenate the cells and relax the nerves and muscles.
By opening all the chakra blocks it helps to awaken the
kundalini.
Home
remedies like taking 2-3 Tsp of Ghee with the food helps
give more satvic properties and increases spirituality.
Applying ghee on the temples and on the soles of feet
at bedtime helps better relaxing sleep and bring blood
pressure back into balance.
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