With the world becoming competitive day by day, our life is fully surrounded by unnecessary stress and strain on our body. In addition to this our eating habits have took a drastic change in today’s lifestyle that challenges our health like never before. With the intake of synthetic diet instead of organic food, we are today exposed to harmful toxins which are the main causes of many diseases we encounter today. Ayurveda is in fact the answer to all these diseases.

In the study of Ayurveda, it is said that the real cause of any diseases encountered by the body is because of the disturbance in the digestive system when the three doshas – vata, pitta and kapha are not in equilibrium. In a balanced digestive system, waste products (malas) are produced and eliminated normally that results into a harmonious synchronization between our mind, senses and consciousness. Basically when the equilibrium between the three doshas is disturbed, it effects the Agni (the digestive fire) and produces harmful toxins or ama in the body. There are several different factors responsible for the formation of Ama such as poor digestion, improper food combinations or choices, poor drinking water, pesticides in food, pollution, emotional or physical trauma, and so on. These toxins when in abundance attack the deeper tissues, organs or channels and cause major diseases.

Treatments and Cure by Ayurveda:

The basic treatment of Ayurveda starts from identifying the symptoms. A Vaidya can easily diagnose the disease by identifying particular symptoms manifested by the doshas. The main purpose of the treatment in Ayurveda is to bring all the three doshas in equilibrium. Hence, the Ayurvedic treatment comprises of three steps in curing any diseases which are Samsodhana – cleansing process, Samsamana – palliative measure and nidanaparivarjana – treating the causes.

Although, two of the eight branches in Ayurveda that deals with surgery (Śalya-cikitsā, Śālākya-tantra), the main concept of Ayurvedic revolves around building a healthy metabolic system by maintaining a good digestion and proper excretion process that leads to an healthy body. The other branch of Ayurveda also focuses on the enlightenment of the spiritual side by proper exercise, yoga and meditation.

Ayurveda also puts a lot of emphasis on natural daily cycles (Dinacharya) that includes waking, sleeping, working, meditation etc. Following such a proper dinacharya is considered must for healthy living. Even hygiene is given importance in Ayurveda as well that involves regular bathing, skin care, cleansing of teeth and eye washing.

Natural Substances Used in Ayurveda:

Ayurvedic treatment is purely based on plant-based medicines popularly known as Aushadhis. Hundreds of different Aushadhis are prepared using herbal pants including cardamom and cinnamon. Animal products such as milk, bones, and gallstones are also used in these ayurvedic medicines. Ayurvedic treatments also include important minerals such as sulphur, arsenic, lead, copper sulfate and gold for consumption as prescribed. The whole practice of adding minerals to herbal medicine is known as rasa shastra. Along with the above natural substances, it is also advised to use fats for both consumption and external use for major health benefits.

Ayurvedic treatments are also comprised of various different natural substances for different applications. In few cases, alcohol is taken as narcotic for patients undergoing operation but overtime with the advent of Islam, opium replaced alcohol eventually. There are different applications in ayurveda to stop bleeding. For instance, oil and tar are used to stop bleeding. Besides that there are four different methods to stop traumatic bleeding: ligation of the blood vessel; cauterisation by heat; using different herbal or animal preparations locally which could facilitate clotting; and different medical preparations which could constrict the bleeding or oozing vessels. Various different oils are used in Ayurvedic treatments in regular consumption as a part of food as well as other applications such as anointing, smearing, head massage, and Oil pulling. To calm the senses and in order to relive the body from stress, specific liquids are also poured on the patient’s forehead, a technique popularly known as Shirodhara.

Different Therapies in Ayurveda:

One of the most common and effective therapy in Ayurveda is Panchakarma. It is basically a group of five treatments at one time and are not commonly practised in all diseases. They are panchakarmaare, vamana, virechana, snehavasti, kashayavasti and nasya.

Each of these treatments has their own unique role. Vamana is emesis, virechana is purging, vasti is enema whereas the two other kinds snehavasti and kashayavasti are performed with medicated oils and medicated decoctions respectively. Nasya is a unique therapy that instills medicines through nose.

All the therapies performed in Ayurveda includes: Vamana (Use of Emetics), Virechana (Use of laxatives), Vasti (Medicated Enema), Nasya (Nasal Administration of Medication), RaktaMokshana (Blood Letting), Purvakarma (Purification Measures), Pizhichil, Uzhichil, Navarakkizhi, Shirodhara, Abhiyangam, Kativasthi, Urovasthi, and Ksheeradhomam.