As the oldest known health teaching in the world, Ayurveda can look back on a long tradition. Developed during the time of Vedic culture in ancient India, it exerted significant influence on Egyptian medicine as well as Chinese medicine, among others. Its individual approach to the body and mind of each patient makes it a holistic approach that is gaining more and more followers as a therapeutic method in the West as well. The Ayurvedic healing system is appreciated there not least because of its high wellness factor.
What is Ayurveda?
The name Ayurveda comes from the ancient Indian Sanskrit language, where “Ayus” stands for life and “Veda” for knowledge. Not only in India, but also in Sri Lanka and Nepal, Ayurveda is legally equal to conventional medicine. The WHO also recognizes it as a medical science. Ayurveda represents a concept of life that is intended to support the patient in achieving harmony of body and mind. Through the associated stress reduction in combination with inner balance, lifelong health and vitality are sought. The basis of this ancient therapy method is the three energy principles (doshas), which are composed of the elements ether, air, fire, water and earth:
Pitta – the energy principle (fire and water).
Kapha – the structural principle (water and earth)
Vata – the movement principle (ether and air)
These three doshas should be in individual balance in a healthy body. Each patient is characterized by different ratios of these three types, from which his physical and mental characteristics are derived. If the balance is disturbed, according to Ayurvedic teachings, illness and indisposition result.
Application, function, effect and goals
The areas of application of Ayurveda have their focus in the treatment of chronic conditions. These include, for example, osteoarthritis, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, burnout syndrome, sleep disorders, chronic pain, acne vulgaris, irritable bowel syndrome, and depression. Ayurvedic medical treatments are composed of a mixture of herbal remedies, healthy diet and purification procedures. Very well known is the performance of various massages. Ayurvedic oil anointments work by using a wide variety of oils to massage either the entire body or just parts of it. The individual constitution of the patient determines the composition of the agents used in Ayurvedic treatment. This therapeutic method is used for general strengthening of the immune system as well as for alleviating stress and sleep disorders. According to Ayurvedic teachings, dry massages are often performed after an oil massage and have a predominantly cleansing effect. The body is rubbed with a mixture of herbs, powders and spices. The aim is to detoxify the treated tissue, reduce fat deposits and combat water retention. According to Ayurvedic knowledge, subsequent sweating cures help to eliminate waste products from the body. Against disorders of the musculoskeletal system – such as muscle stiffness and injuries – the patient under Ayurvedic therapy is massaged with bags containing cooked rice with various spices. This healing method is called “Pinda Sveda”, the massage with gauze bags. A very well-known method of Ayurveda is the forehead pouring, in which a warm stream of oil is directed onto the patient’s forehead for a period of twenty minutes. It is used in the fight against headaches and depression, but also in the wellness area for general relaxation. Last but not least, Ayurveda treatment emphasizes a balanced diet adapted to the ratio of the different doshas. In case of illness, it can be adjusted by tuning the food to the imbalanced energy principles and thus support the healing process.
Risks, side effects and dangers
The procedures of Ayurveda are considered to be well tolerated and universally applicable. Risks are found especially in the use of various herbs, which in individual cases can lead to allergic reactions. In addition, some plant species used by Ayurveda have a slightly toxic effect and there is a possibility that they affect the effectiveness of drugs taken at the same time.Furthermore, some Ayurvedic remedies may contain compounds of heavy metals that are harmful to health in the long term. This is especially true for medicinal plants from those regions of India that have been proven to be contaminated with toxins such as lead or mercury. It is therefore advisable to use only quality-tested remedies in the context of Ayurveda therapy. Caution is also advisable when choosing an Ayurvedic doctor: since there are no national standards for such training as yet, the patient should find out as much as possible about the qualifications of the medical practitioner.
