About Ayurveda in central london - victoria. suffer from hayfever?
Ayurveda is the ancient Indian science of life which has been practiced in India for over 5000 years, in fact it is the oldest system of medicine known which has influenced many medical systems that has since prevailed. This profound science is based on the philosophy that man is a microcosm of the universe and that our bodies are made up of five elements namely, space, air, fire, water and earth which are the same elements that make up the entire universe in varying combinations, all of which are responsible for the biological processes of the living organism. Each and every organism grows and disintegrates into the same earth. Each person is made from a unique combination of these elements and is governed in the body by three biological humours (doshas) Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Illnesses prevail when these doshas are aggravated or imbalanced. Therefore the key to optimum health is to create balance of doshas according to the individuals constitution.
The Ayurvedic Difference
Modern medicine aims to cure illnesses by prescribing drugs to cure the symptoms of the illness. Though this brings fast pain relief, often the underlying issues are not always dealt with and often lie dormant. Today more and more people are turning to complimentary medicine for a traditional and holistic approach to healthcare. Ayurveda aims to treat the root cause of the illness and aims to bring equilibrium by balancing the three doshas to achieve optimum health. Ayurveda recognises that the importance of individuality and uses a holistic approach to assess the health condition of the individual, harmonising the physical and mental balance in line with the individual’s constitution. Two people with similar conditions may not necessarily receive the same treatment plan.
Though we have innate characteristics that we carry from birth we must also recognise the ways in which our environment shapes our mind, body and spirit. For example cold rainy dark days, hot sunny days, the moon, the sun, the place where we live the food we eat, the activities that we carry out the type of work that we do, the influence of our family and friends, our sleeping patterns etc all of which can affect the well-being of our mind, body and spirit. Our environment therefore can affect our physical body, our attitude and thoughts, feelings and moods. The aim of Ayurveda is to treat the individual as a holistic entity, looking at all the contributing factors be it physical, environmental, emotional or mental.
Using herbs, diet, exercise, yoga, massage, aromas, mantras, and meditation as a preventative and therapeutic intervention, Ayurveda is able to restore the dynamic state of balance to achieve true well-being.
How can Ayurveda help you?
Using natural interventions, Ayurveda can help prevent, treat and manage acute and chronic health conditions without harmful side-effects. Some common conditions Ayurveda can address are:
• Stress and fatigue
• Compromised immune system
• Gastro-intestinal problems (IBS, constipation, indigestion, anorexia, etc)
• Arthritis/Rheumatism/joint stiffness
• Insomnia
• Weight Management
• Headache/Migraine
• Skin Conditions
• Respiratory Conditions
Ayurvedic Concept: Doshas
Our bodies are controlled by three humours, which work together to maintain regular physical and mental functions and when in balance are life-supporting. When there is an increase, decrease or abnormality in one or more these doshas, signs and symptoms of disease will become evident dependent on the stage of disease. Here is an outline of the doshas, their functions and common imbalances.
| VATA | PITTA | KAPHA | |
| REPRESENTS | air/space | fire/water | water/earth |
| QUALITIES | Light, cold, rough, dry, irregular, mobile, clear, agitated, subtle | Hot, flowing, liquid, smooth, sharp, light, penetrating, unctuous, pungent | Heavy, slow, oily, liquid, dense, soft, thick, cold, stable, sticky, sweet, white |
| PURPOSE | Vata initiates, controls regulates and co-ordinates all types of movement in the body. | Pitta regulates the process of metabolism, digestion, chemical transitions. | Kapha provides structure, stability and lubrication to the body and mind. |
| NORMAL PHYSICAL FUNCTION | Breathing Blinking Muscle/tissue movement Heart pulsations Elimination/micturition Menstruation | Heat Vision Appetite Thirst Body temperature Softness Intelligence Complexion Power of understanding | Sense of taste Stability Free movement of joints Storing of energy Regulation of water and fat Nourish and cools nervous system Protection |
| NORMAL MENTAL FUNCTION | Thinking power Inspiration Fear Anxiety Adaptability | Laughter Joy Will power Enthusiasm Anger Courage Judgment Competitiveness Mental perception | Strong memory Forgiveness Love Patience Attachment Grounding/belonging Mental inertia Compassion |
| IMBALANCED/COMMON DISORDERS | Emaciation Loss of warmth Tremors Insomnia Bloating Constipation Arthritis Pruritis Anxiety, nervousness | Excess hunger/thirst Liver disorders Inflammations Restless sleep Skin conditions Burning sensations | Lethargy Heaviness Nausea after eating Cough and colds Excessive sleep Mucous conditions Paleness Accumulation of fat |
Each person has a unique balance of these three elements and this balance/imbalance is assessed in the initial consultation using various traditional techniques such as tongue, pulse and digestive diagnosis and in-depth diet and lifestyle and environmental assessments.
Ayurvedic Concept: Agni
Agni is literally translated as fire within the body. That which has the power to transform one substance into another within the body. Agni exists at three levels pachakagni, bhutagni and dhatvagni, which has the functions of digestion, catabolism and anabolism respectively, furthermore, It is responsible for neutralising toxins, bacteria, and viruses which can hamper immunity.
In a healthy state, agni allows for good digestion, assimilation, elimination, circulation, nourishment to all body tissues, healthy tissue formation, good complexion, strong immunity and intelligence.
The digestive fire is the most important and obvious form of agni and if impaired agni, the digestion process is inefficient and incomplete and some or all of the the functions mentioned above can get disturbed. In the event of a disturbed agni, partially digested food form an toxins called ama. This substance can decay and ferment within the intestinal tract and can circulate throughout the body to cause disease, usually where there is a weakness. This demonstrates that without proper care of agni various diseases can prevail. So the common concept of ‘you are what you eat’ is actually not too far from the truth. Ayurveda also takes into consideration, where, how and how much you eat as well as emotional and environmental factors which all plays a role in disrupting a healthy agni.
Quite often this will be the key starting point to any ayurvedic treatment program.
Ayurvedic Concept: Eight branches
Traditionally Ayurveda had eight son specialist areas.
1. Internal Medicine (Kayachikitsa)
2. Nutrition, Detoxification and Rejuvenation (Rasayana)
3. Fertility and Virility (Vajikarana)
4. General Surgery (Shalya Tantra)
5. Otorhinolaryngology (Shalakya)
6. Pediatrics and Obstetric/Gynecology (Kaumarabhrtya)
7. Psychiatry (Bhutavidya)
8. Toxicology (Agada Tantra)