ayurvedic

"Whether it happened or not I do not know; but if you think about it you can see that it is true. -Black Elk

I bought a melon downstream from this fellow washing water buffalos. The melon man unknown to me sliced his melons with a knife
he washed in the stream. I was sick for four weeks and lost 35 pounds. Stupid mistake,
I've made a bunch of them.

Rush hour, Calcutta, India. A quicker route to robust health in India would be a powerful dose of population control. Forgive me for my callousness and skepticism but I lived in the Orient for three years and witnessed first hand the deleterious health effects of unabated population growth without necessary infrastructure and resources

This sophisticated medical treatment system has developed similar to Traditional Chinese Medicine over thousands of years from the trials and experiences of hundreds of Vaidyas on hundreds of thousands of human beings. It has been a viable medical treatment system because it is primarily from plants and natural pharmaceutical sources that are free or inexpensive. It has also been safe and effective for millions of people. Indian materia medica contains over 2000 drugs of which the majority come from plants.(1)

Medical students studied in gurukulas (medical school) and were taught by gurus. Today most Ayurvedic medical uses are held up to the light of modern medical scrutiny and in most cases pass the grade, but the original identification of the plant was based on the "doctrine of signatures" or in Indian: "pashandbhed", the power to split a stone. Plants with this power to grow through stone were used to relieve or dispel gall stones, kidney stones and the like.

Medical diagnosis in Ayurvedic is based on the constitution of the patient. A metabolic temperament is uncovered by the guru or physician. There are three metabolic body types: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Roughly, in Western terms, these types represent: Vata=thin; pitta=muscular; kapha=fat. More important than this physical description is the underlying temperament and energy. This is your dosha. A person's dosha is typically a mix. For example, I am a vata/pitta/kapha in that order, with the dominant characteristic first. My vata type is: unpredictable, variable, cool, dry skin, enthusiastic, impulsive, low endurance, erratic sleep...All vata characteristics. To balance this I must nurture my pitta and kapha where I am deficient: critical, passionate, explosive temper (rarely), with regular sleep and eating habits.

The key is to understand who you are, your main dosha, and make certain you strengthen your weak doshas to seek balance. This is attained through meditation and concentrating on improving your weaknesses. Also, eat foods that strengthen you where you are weak. Eat the foods that are right for your dosha. Ayurvedic medicinals are prescribed to keep you in balance.

Vata: Are cool: unpredictable, changeable, variable in mood, action, size and shape, tyupically slender, with prominent features, dry skin, cool, enthusiastic but moody, impulsive and imaginative, quick mind, creative but lacking endurance and follow through. Erratic insomnia, PMS in women may be problematic, often constipated, anxious....Like the stock market this personality has many peaks and valleys, like a strong pulse.

Pitta: Are warm: predictable, medium in strength, endurance and build. Proportioned, often fair skinned, freckles, ruddy complexion, quick mind, intelligent, articulate, critical, temperamental, passionate. Typically, they are efficient and moderate, sleeps and eats regularly, perspire due to warm condition, often thirsty, may have ulcers, stomach aches, hemorrhoids, ulcers.

Kapha: Cool, heavy, strong and solid. Slow metabolism and digestion, oily hair, pale, damp skin.

Slow is the byword of this type, measured. In control of hunger, anger and actions, slow to act. Need much sleep. May be obstinate and procrastinate. May have problems with obesity, allergies, sinusitis, high cholesterol levels.

Doshas are further defined by their location in the body, although every cell has all the doshas, there are organ systems where each dosha is dominant.

-Vata is located in thighs, ears, bones, skin large intestine and pelvic cavity. It is preoccupied by motion: helping the body move and activating the physical systems of breathing and circulating blood.

-Pitta is located in the eyes, skin, sweat glands, blood, stomach and small intestine. It is preoccupied with metabolism, the processing of and utilization of water, air and food. It commands and initiates the thousands of chemical enzymatic actions in the body.

-Kapha is located in the spinal fluid, lungs and chest, the structures that hold the body together. It is preoccupied with holding us together, it is the glue that offers protection and nourishment.

You will discover that you are dominated by one of the doshas. Seek to balance the other doshas.

Vomiting, nasal douching, enemas, bowel purging, blood cleansing are all purifying techniques used in Ayurvedic medicine.

After cleansing the body is tonified with foods and herbs, yoga and other exercises, including breathing exercises.

After cleansing and tonification the mental and spiritual self must be improved. This includes mantra chanting; yantra the focusing and concentrating on geometric figures; and tantra, meditation and the seeking of altered states with the help of crystals, vibration, massage, gems, metals.

The primary treatment modalities of Ayurvedic medicine are: diet, exercise, meditation, herbs, massage, sun and breathing exercises. You must match your diet to treat your deficiencies. Exercise is vital to all doshas, exercise daily. Meditation, quiet, focused time is necessary every day, and once a month seeks a remote quiet spot to purge your mind. Seek the sun and enjoy it. Practice deep breathing exercises, deep inhalation and complete exhaustion of gases. Learn about the herbs that follow and for detailed information try the following web pages: