Boost Your Vitality With Ayurveda

A guide to using the ancient Indian healing tradition to improve your physical and spiritual wellbeing

Sarah Lie

• Publisher: Teach Yourself
• Year: 2010
• eBook ISBN: 9781444129205
• Topic: Personal Development
• Subtopic: Self Improvement

Are you looking for a more balanced, natural way of life that is just right for you? Have you visited an Ayurvedic spa, and do you want to find out more? Boost Your Vitality with Ayurveda is your guide to making this ancient healing Indian tradition work for you. You will be able to understand exactly what your 'type' is, before getting expert physical and mental advice on the lifestyle and diet that will work for you. There's also a complete list of effective home remedies for minor ailments, and a full guide to all the country's practitioners - everything you need for a healthy and happy way of life.
NOT GOT MUCH TIME?One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started.
AUTHOR INSIGHTSLots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the author's many years of experience.
TEST YOURSELFTests in the book and online to keep track of your progress.
EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGEExtra online articles at www.teachyourself.com to give you a richer understanding of Ayurveda.
FIVE THINGS TO REMEMBERQuick refreshers to help you remember the key facts.
TRY THISInnovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.

Part one
The essence of Ayurveda

1

About Ayurveda and why we need it today

In this chapter you will learn:

• more about Ayurveda
• its definition of health
• why this system of holistic healthcare is so relevant today
• the basic principles for healthy living
• some simple truths about putting Ayurveda into practice.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is the world’s oldest holistic healthcare system and the medicine of choice for millions of people around the world. It is a complete medical science rather than a newly developed alternative therapy. Its theories and remedies for a healthy mind and body have endured for more than 5,000 years, during which time a wealth of knowledge and practical experience has been accumulated, confirming the safety and efficacy of an Ayurvedic way of life.

Essentially, Ayurveda is the art of living in harmony with nature. It teaches us how to use a blend of diet, natural remedies, lifestyle practices, rejuvenation and detoxification processes, hands-on therapies such as massage, as well as meditation and the principles of ‘wise living’, according to yogic philosophy, to keep our minds and bodies healthy, treat any illnesses that do occur and – above all – to promote a long and healthy life.

One of the unique benefits of Ayurveda, over and above other systems of medicine, is that it does not simply offer us remedies for ailments. While it can, and does, provide many natural solutions for a catalogue of common health complaints, Ayurveda’s fundamental goal is to prevent us from becoming sick in the first place by equipping us with healthy living practices that preserve our health, strengthen our immune system and help us to avoid those diseases to which we are most susceptible.

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Insight

Unlike modern medicine, which undoubtedly has its place and is sometimes the best treatment option available depending on the nature of an illness, a compelling feature of Ayurveda’s approach is its focus on identifying and eliminating the root cause of any health problem. There is a tendency in the West to treat the symptoms of an illness rather than the underlying triggers. This may help in the short-term, but if a person continues to indulge in the behaviour that gives rise to a condition, it will never be completely healed.

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The definition of health

Health – according to Ayurveda – is when our mind is in a happy state, our senses and motor organs are in good working order, our digestion is strong, tissues well nourished and waste matter (faeces, urine and sweat) is being properly formed and excreted.

Health is achieved by following a diet and lifestyle that maintain the specific balance of our innate mind–body type, and taking steps to manage the impact that the passing of time has on our internal body clock and external environment.

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Insight

In other words, Ayurveda teaches us how, why and when we need to adjust our diet and behaviour to counteract the ageing process, changes in our climate and other environmental factors that can cause health problems.

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By tailoring our diets to suit the seasons, for example, we feed our bodies with the right balance of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients needed to protect ourselves from seasonal complaints such as joint problems in autumn/fall, coughs and colds in winter, allergies and skin conditions in summer.

Treating the mind as well as the body

Being a truly holistic system of healthcare, Ayurveda also gives us the tools needed to maintain a healthy, balanced mind via a combination of natural remedies, wise living, methods of mind control involving yoga and meditation, plus unique hands-on therapies such as the soothing treatment of shirodhara, a traditional Ayurvedic remedy for anxiety and depression in which medicated oil is poured continuously over the forehead.

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Insight

Given that health authorities today believe many illnesses – such as eczema, allergies, hypertension, digestive complaints and weight problems – often have a psychological trigger, these techniques are particularly important for us to understand and put into practice.

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Knowledge of Ayurveda is now spreading throughout the developed world because of its ability to promote a healthier lifestyle, as well as heal or effectively manage many of the lifestyle-related diseases common today, such as diabetes, obesity and stress-related conditions like insomnia, depression and anxiety.

The origins of Ayurveda

The word Ayurveda literally translates as the ‘science of life’. Originating in India around 3,000 bc, this complete medical science was developed by ancient Vedic sages. They realized that for the ‘goals of human life’ according to Hindu philosophy to be achieved a person needed to live for at least 100 years!

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Insight

The overall aim of Ayurvedic medicine is, therefore, to empower people to live a long, healthy, happy life and to grow old gracefully.

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Since its birth some 5,000 years ago, the wisdom of Ayurveda has not only survived but has had a profound influence on many other healthcare systems, including those of ancient Egypt, Syria, Persia and traditional Chinese medicine. Elements of Ayurvedic practice can even be seen in some of the methods used today by modern medicine. The origins of plastic surgery, for instance, can be traced back to one of the key Ayurvedic texts. Written around 3,000 bc, the Susruta Samhita details precisely how to repair wounds to the nose and ears by removing skin from the back of the arm and suturing it into place.

The first known example of an oral vaccination has its roots in Ayurveda. Every summer, for many thousands of years, Indians have taken a concoction of cows’ milk, curd, urine and other natural by-products to promote ‘good’ bacteria in the gut, helping to protect them from parasites and other acquired diseases.

The ancient Ayurvedic sages also understood the role of good hygiene in disease prevention, realizing that certain viruses and bacteria are transmitted by touch. This legacy can be seen in many of the cultural practices that survive among Indian communities to this day. The traditional Indian welcome of Namaste, for example, where the palms of a person’s hands are pressed together in greeting, specifically avoids person-to-person contact. In India it is also common practice to visit the relatives of a dead person only after 11 days have elapsed, allowing time for any contagious bacteria or viruses to die. Even the concept of ‘untouchability’ promoted by the Indian caste system, while flawed, appears to have its origins in the desire to maintain good hygiene and so avoid disease. The deadly anthrax virus was prevalent among tanners and those handling animal carcasses, hence they became known as the ‘untouchables’.

The relevance of Ayurveda today

Today, the Ayurvedic approach to diet – as a way of promoting good health and preventing illness – is mirrored by the advice of nutritionists and other health professionals.

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Insight

The traditional Asian diet is rich in complex carbohydrates, such as rice, as well as fresh vegetables, pulses, seeds and nuts, a combination now widely accepted to be the cornerstone of a balanced and nutritious diet.

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So, is this ancient system of traditional medicine really useful for people living a contemporary ‘Western’ lifestyle?

More than 5,000 years ago, the founders of Ayurveda recognized that people living in overcrowded and polluted environments stripped of nature have a higher risk of disease. Today, health experts agree that the vast majority of the illnesses prevalent in our society are due to inadequate diet, lack of exercise and the stresses of modern life. Urban living, convenience foods, pollution and advances in technology are all taking their toll on our day-to-day health.

By following the principles of Ayurveda, we can create a diet and lifestyle, tailored to suit our specific constitutional type, which actively promotes a healthy mind and body, protecting us from common health problems while managing the impact our environment and internal body clock have on our mental and physical wellbeing.

Ayurveda’s vast pharmacopoeia of herbal and mineral remedies gives us the ability to treat many of the diseases common in the world today naturally, safely and effectively. It also enables us to manage health issues that occur at different stages of life such as fertility problems, symptoms of the menopause, arthritis and senile dementia.

Right now, there is a surge in demand for traditional medicines and alternative therapies throughout the modern world. More and more people are seeking natural, back-to-basics solutions to health concerns and taking steps to actively improve their health, preserve a youthful appearance and engender a sense of wellbeing. Many are also aiming to relieve chronic conditions, such as back pain and skin complaints, which can be resistant to modern medicine.

As a result, the quality and range of authentic Ayurvedic remedies available to us is increasing rapidly, as are the number of well-qualified practitioners. Ayurveda is a profound and complex science. While there is much you can do yourself to improve your overall health, it is important to know who to consult should more serious health problems arise. With this in mind, a list of leading industry associations you can contact to find a good Ayurvedic practitioner in your area is provided at the end of this book, together with recommended suppliers of authentic Ayurvedic herbs and remedies.

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10 THINGS TO REMEMBER

Hopefully, by now, you are gaining a sense of the real benefits adopting an Ayurvedic way of life can deliver. Before you read on, however, it is worth keeping in mind the following simple truths:

1. Ayurveda is a complete system of traditional medicine rather than a recently developed alternative therapy, with a unique and robust philosophy that has withstood the test of time.
   
   
2. The majority of today’s illnesses – mental and physical – are due to lifestyle factors that we have the power to change, such as an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise and the stresses of modern life.
   
   
3. There are no ‘quick fixes’. Ayurveda is a way of life rather than a short-term medical intervention. Like anything in life, to reap the rewards you must be committed and consistent in your approach. It takes time and sustained effort for positive results to be achieved.
   
   
4. We are what we eat! Food is one of the most potent medicines known to man an...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Acknowledgements
• Contents
• Meet the author
• Only got a minute?
• Only got five minutes?
• Only got ten minutes?
• Introduction
• Part one: The essence of Ayurveda
• Part two: Putting Ayurveda into practice
• Part three: Taking it further
• Answers to Test yourself questions
• Index