An Overview of Ayurveda

Summary
Ayurveda is a system of medicine developed on the Indian subcontintent. It translates as ‘the science of life’, and is a holistic system that equally emphasizes body, mind and spirit. Like many other holistic practices, Ayurveda is based on the concept of balance and harmony in the funxtion of the body. The treatment methods used in nutritional intervention, exercise, meditation, massage, breathing therapies, sunlight and herbs. Ayurveda is widely used in India, and is more than just a system for curing illness. It is regarded as a system for maintaining health.

Like many other holistic systems, Ayurveda is focused on maintaining balance. In the case of Ayurveda, the balance is between the essences of air, fire, water, earth and spirit. The system for assigning persons to one or another of the essences is complex, as is the system of classifying all substances according to their qualities, but both are central to the practice of Ayurveda. Ayurvedic physicians undergo rigorous training to learn eight different branches of medicine: internal medicine, surgery, eye, ear, nose and throat diseases, pediatrics, psychiatry, toxicology, rejuvenation and fertility.

Ayurveda is growing more popular in the United States, and the demand for Ayurvedic herbs has prompted manufacturers to conform to standards in extraction, manufacturing, packaging and labeling.

The Evidence for Ayurveda
Many of the disciplines of Ayurveda are supported by research, though there is little research to support the practice as a whole. Therapies such as exercise and meditation offer proven benefits in lowering blood pressure, reducing weight and controlling diet and addictions. Many of the traditionally used herbs have undergone Western examination and testing which has identified active ingredients to account for positive effects on health.

Criticisms of Ayurveda
The criticisms of Ayurveda center on the fact that there is little research done to prove that the methodologies and therapies actually work, or to determine how they work when they do. The herbal component of Ayurveda raises the most concerns, as herbs, minerals and other natural substances do contain active ingredients that may be harmful if taken by people with certain conditions or in large doses. Because herbal treatments are unregulated, there are many products available that may be useless or harmful.

Conclusion
As with any other alternative medicine, consult your doctor about any treatment, medicine or supplement to be certain that it won’t interfere with conventional medical treatment. It should be noted that, like a few other holistic disciplines, Ayurveda focuses as much on prevention of disease as on curing it. Thus, Ayurvedic medicine is only one part of a lifestyle that is supported by an underpinning of ancient philosophies.