The Rising Nepal

Ayurvedic Treatment An Alternative Therapy
By Uttam Maharjan
Ayurvedic medicine is an alternative therapy. It is claimed to be a traditional medicine of India. The word Ayurveda derives from Sanskrit. Ayur means life and veda means knowledge or science.
Ayurvedic treatment dates from 5,000 BC. Deepak Chopra, an internal medical practitioner and endocrinologist from India, has made a great contribution by propagating the marvels of Ayurveda abroad.

Supporters of Ayurvedic medicine purport that the therapeutic system has its origin in ancient times. Like other traditional medicines, much of it had already been lost. However, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi rediscovered it in the early 1980s. Its origin is attributed to the four Vedas. As per the Vedas, most diseases attack people owing to the demons, devils and the influence of the stars and planets.

Ayurvedic principles

The basic theory of Ayurveda is that the physical functions of the human body are regulated by three irreducible physiological principles called doshas, whose Sanskritic terms are vata, pitta, and kapha. These terms are used to classify patients by body types, which are determined by proportions of these doshas.
These doshas are believed to regulate mind-body harmony. Diseases are considered to arise due to imbalance in the doshas. Ayurvedic treatment is believed to restore harmony to the mind-body system. Vata (air) allegedly regulates all movements in the mind and body and must be kept in balance. Too much vata leads to anxiety, insomnia, cramps and constipation. It controls blood flow, elimination of waste, breathing and the movement of thoughts across the mind.

It also controls the other two principles pitta and kapha. Pitta (fire) is alleged to control all heat, metabolism and transformation in the mind and body. It controls digestion, sensory perceptions and discrimination between right and wrong. It must be kept in balance, too. Too much pitta can lead to anger, criticism, ulcers, rashes and thinning of the hair.

Kapha (water) joins together the elements in the body, providing the material for physical constitution. It maintains body resistance, lubricates the joints, provides moisture to the skin, helps to heal wounds, fills the spaces in the body, gives biological vigour and stability, supports memory retention, gives energy to the heart and lungs and maintains immunity. It is responsible for emotions of attachment, greed and envy. It is also expressed in tendencies toward calmness, forgiveness and love. Too much kapha leads to lethargy and weight gain as well as congestion and allergies.

Ayurveda is the oldest healing system in the world in vogue. It is considered the first holistic system of healthcare based on lifestyles, diets and herbs. Under this system, patients take responsibility for their care. It may be noted that the taste of a herb can determine its action: cleansing, balancing or rejuvenating. Generally, bitter herbs act as cleansing agents, whereas sweet herbs act as nourishing agents.

The mechanism of Ayurveda is based on the belief that bodily imbalances must be rectified before they grow into diseases. It is similar to modern preventive medicine as it applies several processes to maintaining good health. They are detoxification and cleansing; increasing the effectiveness of the immune system; coping with stress with the help of adaptogenic herbs; and protecting the body with antioxidants and restoratives.
When imbalances occur, it is imperative to rectify them. Rectification is done by using immuno-modulators that not only prevent inflammation but also boost the body�s natural defence system. Immuno-modulators form a basic constituent of biomedicine (herbal medicine) that supports the body�s immune system to deal with allergies. It may be noted that suppression of the immune response may result in further recurring symptoms.

The concept of detoxification is based on the fact that many ailments and diseases are a product of impurities not being properly eliminated by the body system. Toxins are created in the body system through eating in excess of one�s ability to digest and assimilate nutrients. Lack of digestion tends to overload the liver and emunctory system. The body reacts to undigested food like any other toxin. In Ayurvedic treatment, herbs that facilitate digestion and proper assimilation are used to nourish the body.

Free radicals present in the environment are cytotoxic, inducing degenerative diseases. Antioxidants reduce the effects of such free radicals. The Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia lists some of the most powerful antioxidant herbs, like the Indian gooseberry, that are used to fight degenerative diseases.

Adaptogenic herbs are used to cope with environmental and psychological stress by acting as a biological response modifier. Adaptogens found in herbs like the Indian snakeroot facilitate adrenal functions by supporting the endocrine system. They can energise all major systems and regulate their functions.

Allopathy

Ayurvedic texts include sections on anti-aging. The rasayanas are believed to be restoratives that rejuvenate the cells, thus, helping reverse aging by toning up all the functions of the body and helping the body work effectively and optimally. Traditional medicine would use herbal tonics as a part of a daily health regimen. It would encapsulate all the concepts of detoxification, antioxidants, immuno-modulation and adaptogenicity and focus on development of a specific lifestyle targeted at proper diets and exercise.

The importance of Ayurvedic medicine cannot be over-emphasised in the present-day world. Allopathy is not the be-all in the medical field. What should be kept in mind is that alternative therapies like Ayurveda must be given due recognition for the betterment of human health.