Intro to Ayurvedic Medicine

With the rise of technology and the abundance of information at our fingertips, there has been an increase in individuals preferring to experiment with natural treatment methods, which actually have a long and deep-rooted history. 

Our society is very focused on finding the most straightforward or well-known method to solve our issues, which is also seen in medicine too. Time and time again, we seek treatments in the form of prescriptions and tablets, which provide a direct solution to a specific problem we are attempting to solve. However, there are other approaches to medicine, ones which emphasize healing the body as a whole.

Ayurvedic medicine stems from ancient Indian medical practices dating back 3,000 years, and are still incorporated into Indian cultures to date. By nature, its method relies on natural and holistic approaches to one’s health. Ayurveda relies on the concept that an illness is directly caused by an imbalance of some sort in the body, and it works on spiritual, physical, and mental approaches to healing the individual. While ayurvedic medicine originates back in India, it is still used in many countries and practices today (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2023). 

Ayurvedic medicine is based on the belief that each person has three types of energies, known as doshas. The “vata” is the energy that manages bodily functions, so everything from our heart beating to our sleep patterns is controlled by this energy. The “pitta” manages our metabolic processes, like digestion. “Kapha” is the energy that maintains our growth and functions in all aspects of our body, from skin moisture levels to body nourishment with adequate hydration. The disturbance of these energies is what Ayurvedic medicine deems an illness or a health problem. The goal of treatments to illness through Ayurvedic medicine is to bring the three energies back into a balance (Mount Sinai Health System, 2023). 

Treatment-wise, many emphasize changes in diet and lifestyle, as Ayurveda looks at an individual from a wider lens. Some examples of treatments are pranayama, yoga, and herbal medicines. Pranayama consists of breathing exercises that help ease one’s mind and soul, allowing one to feel calm. Yoga, which is a well-known practice, has been known to help with cholesterol and blood pressure. Herbal medicines are commonly used in India, and there are various herbs, like fenugreek seeds, which have many benefits, such as the ability to lower LDL levels and raise HDL levels (Mount Sinai Health System, 2023). 

Ayurvedic medicine strives to treat more than an illness or condition a person may have. It focuses on the intersection of diet, exercise, and lifestyle and works on each aspect of a person’s being. Ayurvedic medicine is generally a low-risk option for illnesses, as it emphasizes natural methods of treatment. However, herbs prescribed by Ayurveda can interact with medications, so physicians should be consulted in each individual scenario (Mount Sinai Health System, 2023). 

Components of Ayurveda can be incorporated into everyday life through exercises like yoga and meditation. We can all benefit from incorporating Ayurvedic practices, an area of medicine that is increasing in awareness and popularity.

References 

Ayurveda. Ayurveda | Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2019, December 2). Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/ayurveda 

Ayurveda. Mount Sinai Health System. (n.d.). Retrieved March 14, 2023, from https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/treatment/ayurveda 

Staff, Behind The Bench. “Modern Science Backs up Ancient Knowledge of Ayurveda.” Behind the Bench, 28 May 2020, 

https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/behindthebench/modern-science-backs-up-ancient-knowledg e-of-ayurveda/.