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Ayurveda is the science of life.

Ayurveda

Attention!!!
Will be finished soon A new book- "Ayurveda in simple words"
Written in a very intelligible language, short and with illustrative examples.
You can find it at the link at the bottom of the main page of the site.

The World Health Organization of the United Nations has developed a definition - The state of complete physical, mental and social well-being of a person. That is, according to this organization, health is not just the absence of disease and physical defects, as is commonly believed. Surprisingly, the opinion of the UN coincides with the position of the ancient science of Ayurveda. However, looking at modern systems health care, can we note that the respective institutions make people as harmonious as the UN defines it? Hardly. On the contrary, we are seeing a complete mess, as in medical institutions and the health of the people who visit them. What can we say about the psyche and social well-being. Although all this is directly related to one another.

I think that the figures who invented this definition borrowed it from ancient sources, but forgot or did not want to take care of their obligations. After all, the medical industry already brings huge profits. This is a profession that requires clients and is not interested in everyone being healthy.

Ayurveda considers the human body as an integral system inseparable from external system, nature, universe. The scope of this ancient art is to initially maintain harmony in the internal space of the human body, consisting of 50-100 trillion cells ordered in a certain way. This balance is possible only if the conditions for the correct interaction of tissues, organs and systems of the body with the external conditions of the world in which a person lives are met, since it is part of the overall system.

Why does a person need health? Ayurveda answers as follows - it is necessary for the realization of one's purpose in life, the realization of the spiritual nature and the meaning of existence. The purpose of a person is defined in the Vedas by four goals - Dharma, Ardha, Kama and Moksha. Let's consider them in more detail.

Dharma– fulfillment of their obligations to society and nature. It consists of two parts 1. Service and benefit to all living beings. 2. Disclosure of your individual talent. As you can see, the second can be implemented through the first.

For most people, the problem is finding their talent. Many, many people do what they do without any moral satisfaction, they do it mainly for the sake of money or position in society. There are people who convince themselves that they love their profession. But it doesn't work with Dharma. The Bhagavad-gita says that "it is better to perform one's duties, even if imperfectly, than to perform the duties of others flawlessly" (chapter 18, text 47).

How a person fulfills his destiny directly affects his health. Studies conducted by scientists show that about 88% of people are engaged in activities that do not suit them. And at the same time, about 90% of heart attacks overtook precisely those who were engaged in work contrary to their natural cravings, they did it only for the sake of earning. Thus, not fulfilling the Dharma is very detrimental to the physical well-being of a person. And therefore hinders the realization of the next goal.

Ardha- the accumulation of material wealth through the performance of their duties. It follows from the definition itself that this process is natural, not an end in itself. While in modern society, this is the main task of most people. The process of adding finances, material values, position in society and respect should serve the benefit of others, implies the provision of one's family, for a happy existence in the absence of greed and hoarding.

The acquisition of material values ​​should arise naturally as a result of a person's realization of his talent. Doing what you love is especially appreciated by other people who enjoy the fruits of creativity and are happy to thank a person, including financially.

Achieving material well-being creates the prerequisites for the implementation of the next goal.

Kama- Satisfying your desires and needs, helping loved ones. This can be achieved with the help of accumulated wealth. This refers to the satisfaction of one's feelings, that is, desires that do not carry destructive consequences. And of course, it excludes abuse in any form. Since any excess of desires brings negative character and is harmful to health. While the satisfaction of positive desires improves health and is beneficial. The word Kama also has another meaning - the need for Love. And this is something without which no person can be truly happy.

The implementation of the first three goals creates the prerequisites for achieving the fourth:

Moksha“This is the enjoyment of life itself. That is, the realization that life is something more than the fulfillment of one's obligations to society, the accumulation of material wealth and the satisfaction of one's desires. It is believed that only by knowing the first three, a person can realize the value of life itself, as a divine gift.

But most people tend to neglect the first and fourth goals. But they actively strive to achieve the second and third, accumulate wealth and enjoy themselves. The Vedas say that it is impossible to achieve Moksha without fulfilling one's Dharma. As well as that it is not possible to achieve physical health without balancing your mind. Modern Western medicine also does not deny that most diseases occur on the mental and psychic level, and only then affect the body.

Therefore, Health Arveda divides into four levels Arogya, Sukham, Swastha and Ananda. Let's look at each of them.

Arogya“This is the health of the physical body. That is, the absence of disease, good health and the functioning of all organs and systems of the body. This part is essential for a successful life. The health of the body is necessary for all general health, but is only a part and cannot exist without the other parts.

Western medicine, as we see, considers this part as the only one. All treatment is aimed at eliminating the direct symptom. It is rare when the cause is considered, and even more so other parts and components integrated approach. Modern doctors usually prefer to cut off the diseased organ. Patients are also happy with this approach. Everyone wants to quickly and effectively eliminate pain or discomfort, quickly remove what worries, without thinking at all about the more subtle causes of diseases. And what destroys the body, in most cases is not eliminated.

And no matter how much doctors and patients strive to achieve physical health, all their attempts will be doomed to failure and diseases will return if they adhere only to this level.

Sukham- the second level of health is the happiness of being in society or worldly happiness. This level provides for satisfaction with one's professional activity, work, family, relationships with others, material well-being. As you can see, the second level of health is closely related to the realization of the life goals of Dharma (one's destiny), Artha (material well-being) and Kama (needs satisfaction).

Relationships with the outside world are very important because through communication we can realize our own spiritual nature.

In addition, our life in society and society is an unsurpassed school for our development and self-knowledge. It is the assimilation of past lessons and new lessons. Everything that happens to us is not accidental and is given to us for some reason, some kind of experience that will help us in life. The people and situations we meet are the best teachers which we do not always understand well. This is what Sukham teaches because it sounds like happiness from what happens to us.

Very rarely people are satisfied with what they have achieved. Usually this feeling is short-lived. Whatever conditions they find themselves in, they are not happy. Or satisfied at first. Some time passes, even after achieving the desired, and the person begins to suffer, because it seems to him that this is not enough.

Health is possible only with a feeling of deep satisfaction and gratitude for everything that we have. In Yoga, this is called Santosha - contentment with what is. This is an indispensable condition for wellness, lack of concern, gratitude to fate, people, the universe, God.

The third is based on the first and second levels of health:

Swastha- rooted in oneself. This means the realization of man as a combination of body, soul and mind. Basically, we are all used to associating ourselves only with the physical body. And even many who talk about the soul and spirituality are not really aware of what they are talking about. If you observe the behavior of such a person, you can understand that his whole life is limited only by understanding himself as flesh, few people even consciously develop their own brain, let alone the soul.

This level involves understanding and accepting oneself as the eternal divine unique creation, individuality not limited only by the hands, feet, stomach and genitals, as well as the brains that form the intricacies of the mind that create our perception of us and the world. The Bhagavad-gita says: “The soul is neither born nor dies. It has never arisen, never arises, and never will arise. It is unborn, eternal, always existing and primordial. It does not perish when the body perishes” (chapter 2, text 20).

In yoga, there is the concept of Pratyahara - control over one's feelings. Very often people live relying only on their feelings. Satisfying your desires required by feelings turns into the meaning of life. But all these feelings are connected mainly with the desires of the physical body. Basically what happens is that the senses start to control the mind. The task of the fifth stage of yoga is to teach the mind to control its feelings. In my opinion, the concept of Pratyahara is close to the third level of Swastha health, as it allows the restless mind to take root in itself.

Also, the third level of health is inextricably linked with the fourth goal of a person's destiny - Moksha, since awareness of the beauty of the very process of existence is possible only with control over the feelings scattered in the material world and awareness of oneself as an integral absolute part of the universe.

And the fourth level of health arises on the basis of the first three:

Ananda- Joy, bliss, boundless happiness independent of anything. Moreover, the level and quality of it is constantly growing. This is a very high level of spiritual happiness. When a person experiences constant ecstasy from his very existence. And this joyful state captures the whole body of a person. As you can see, this level is very tightly intertwined with Moksha, so much so that the fourth level of health and the fourth goal of human existence are practically intertwined into one.

Most people strive to achieve only the first level - the health of the body. Some realize that social health or peace of mind is also needed. And absolutely no one strives to find boundless joy in spirituality.

How can we trace all levels of health and the goals of human existence in this world are very tightly intertwined with each other and complement each other. Therefore, I dare to say that the full achievement of one is completely impossible without the other, and only everything in the complex works to the proper extent.

emergence: Ayurveda as a system appeared approximately 30 - 50 thousand years ago during the migration of the Aryans from ancient mainland Arctida (Hyperborea), according to some hypotheses, it was the same Atlantis. And according to the ancient Greek chronicles, the location of this continent coincided with modern Antarctica, and after the crust was broken, the breakaway part shifted and represents modern Eurasia. Before this split, which followed the global catastrophe and the shift of the poles, part of the Aryans moved to the territory of modern Asia. Their path, most likely, ran in the region of the Ural Mountains. As we know, lately there has been a lot of talk about finds in these places. Ancient settlements and sites, one of which is Arkaim recently found in the Chelyabinsk region.

It is assumed that the ancient Aryans had a very advanced civilization and a sufficient amount of knowledge, most of which was lost due to catastrophes and the difficulties of migration. Ayurveda is one of the systems that have survived and survived to this day. The Aryans, most likely, were the progenitors of the modern Slavic nation. Mixing with the ancient tribes of the Middle East, they most likely formed the Indian nation. And it so happened that it was the Hindus who became the bearers of the ancient Vedic traditions. Their distant ancestors learned to live in harmony with nature. The ancient Aryans understood that each person individually is a cell single organism- our planet. It includes all living beings as well as plants and minerals. And all parts, all cells of any living organism must interact and help each other. And only being in symbiosis, interaction, each of them separately will be in harmony.

They studied the properties of plants and their effect on the human body. They determined the laws by which everything in the universe interacts.

The sage Dhanvantari is considered to be the person who gathered the knowledge of Ayurveda together. He had many students and followers. Thanks to which, this science has come down to our days.

Ayurveda includes practical methods treatment of diseases such as surgery, therapy, pediatrics, etc. But the main part of it is knowledge about the nature of the human body and the right way life, thanks to which no diseases simply arise.

Ayurveda considers each human body as a ratio of the elements of Air, Ether, Earth, Fire and Water. It is the combination of these elements in each creature that determines its body constitution, type of psyche and needs.

This ratio of the elements is an ideal state for every person, maintaining and balancing which, he will never get sick either physically or mentally, it is called Prakriti (nature).

Knowledge of Ayurveda always resonates with any traditional folk medicine. The ancient Slavs had the same knowledge.

In order not to go into much detail, I will immediately begin to describe those facts that naturally preserve our natural balance.

Law of biorhythms There are certain laws in nature that must be followed. For example, our brain has such a feature to rest from about 22 to 24 hours. The psyche is restored from 11 p.m. to 2 p.m. That is, a person who goes to bed after 2 am does not give any opportunity to rest with his psycho-mental components. It is advisable to get up before 8 o'clock in the morning. At this time, from 3 to 9 in the morning, the body is controlled higher power energy. They help to maintain their mental and physical abilities on highest level throughout the day. If a person does not follow this regimen, then he does not receive satisfaction from life, but only accumulates physical and moral fatigue, as a result of which he acquires a lot of diseases or prerequisites for them.

Another important condition are morning mandatory procedures, such as: bowel movements, meditation, exercise, showering. It is important to do this before 9 in the morning because after 9 our skin begins to absorb through the pores all the harmful secretions that came out during the night through the skin.

It is desirable to work and achieve your life goals from 9 am to 5-6 pm. These are the most favorable hours for fruitful work. After 18 hours, it is advisable to devote the time remaining before sleep to rest, family, reading books, walking in the fresh air, spiritual practices, and meditation.

In addition, it is important to observe the diet.

In the morning at 9-10 o'clock it is advisable to take light meals. Around 12 o'clock the most powerful digestion. Therefore, it is recommended to have a hearty meal. In the evening, it is advisable not to load your intestines. It would be ideal to eat vegetables or fruits around 18-19 hours.

If you have eaten before going to bed, then this food will not be digested, it will lie all night and rot in your insides, releasing poisons and toxins that will slag your entire body.

In addition, our bodies are different from each other, therefore, the modes will be slightly different for everyone. What are the types of personality, I will describe below, as well as the rules most suitable for each of the types.

By following these simple rules you can already avoid a lot of trouble. Ayurveda recommends that in order to fully return to your nature, follow a diet that is indicated specifically for your type of constitution.

In order to accurately determine the type of personality constitution and find out your diet, you need to calculate the initial balance of the elements in your personality that determine the innate constitution from the birth horoscope, then, using a series of tests, find out what your body has come to throughout life. Only then can you accurately prescribe a diet and a set of procedures that bring the person into harmony.

I will try to convey to you the main points as simply as possible. applied principles Ayurveda, but in order to be better understanding However, some terms need to be clarified.

The principles of Ayurvedic regulation in the body are based on the concept Prakriti(in western medicine homeostasis) is the ideal ratio and quantity of all the constituent systems of the body. And Vikriti- the ratio at the present moment, that is, how far the organism has deviated from its innate nature. Thanks to these indicators, it becomes possible to establish a balance in the body. After reading the Ayurveda section, you can get basic knowledge that will help you be more conscious about your health and do without doctors and pills.

Ayurveda, or Ayur-Veda(from the Sanskrit "āyus" - the meaning of "life", "the principle of life", or "long life" and "veda" - knowledge) - the traditional system of Indian medicine, named after one of the sacred books(Veda).

Ayureda - the science of life

According to the most common version, the basic principles of Ayurveda originated around 800 BC. e., and the final formation of the system was completed by 1000 AD. e. The main treatises - "Charaka-samhita" and "Sushruta-samhita" - were most likely written in recent centuries before the birth of Christ.

Ayurveda or "Ayurveda" can be translated as "knowledge of life", "knowledge of long life" or even "science of life". Ayurveda is used by millions of people in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka.

Ayurveda is sometimes referred to as the "mother of medicine". Being one of the oldest medical systems, Ayurveda had a great influence on the development of Arabic and European medicine; its basic procedures (diagnosis by breathing and pulse, therapeutic diets, cleansing enemas, baths and douches) have firmly entered the medical practice of all countries.

Such directions and methods of Ayurveda as: surgery, therapy, pediatrics, pharmacology and ophthalmology; massage, acupuncture, physiotherapy, and dietetics have also made their way into modern medical practice.

In the XVIII-XIX centuries. Ayurveda has experienced a decline, unable to withstand the competition with European physicians. However, in the last 50 years, its rapid revival has been observed, associated with the "fascination" of European medicine with pills and the complete disregard for folk methods of treating and preventing diseases.

Traditional Indian medicine today is gaining popularity in the West and in Russia. Well, in the field of natural healing methods, we have a lot to learn from the Indians. The main thing is that Ayurveda teaches us to live in harmony with nature and ourselves.

Philosophical representations of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is not only a medical, but also a philosophical system, which is based on Shad Darshana, six philosophies of nastika (recognizing the authority of the Vedas), namely: Sankhya, Vaisheshika, Yoga, Nyaya, Mimamsa and Vedanta. It is focused on the achievement by each person of harmony, "continuous happiness" and considers a person as part of the Universe, which is in the closest mystical relationship with it. For example, according to Ayurveda, everything that exists, including man, consists of five main elements (elements): air (vyayu), fire (tejas), water (jal, ap), earth (prithvi) and ether (akash).

According to legend, Ayurveda was part of the revelation of the holy rishis, who gained a comprehensive knowledge of the universe about seven thousand years ago. Between 1200 and 700 BC, four sacred Vedas were compiled. References to diseases, herbs and herbal treatments are found in all four Vedas. Ayurveda, unlike the four Vedas, has never been a separate literary monument. Information about Ayurveda as a medical and philosophical system is partially contained in the Rig Veda and Atharva Veda, Ayurveda is considered an additional Veda (Upaveda) of the Atharva Veda. Later, several major treatises on Ayurveda were created, including the Charaka Samhita, the oldest of the three treatises of ancient Indian medicine.

According to the Charaka Samhita, "life itself" is defined as "the combination of body, sense organs, mind and soul, the factor responsible for preventing decay and death, which preserves the body for a long time, and leads the processes of rebirth."

According to these views, Ayurveda develops measures to protect "ayus", which includes healthy living, along with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual harmony. Ayurveda is one of the few traditional systems of medicine that has a complex system of surgery called salya-chikitsa.

Branches of Ayurveda

There are eight branches in Ayurveda:

Internal Medicine – Kayachikitsa
Surgery – Shalya Tantra
Ears, eyes, nose and throat - Shalakya Tantra
Pediatrics – Kaumarabhritya Tantra
Toxicology - Agada Tantra
Purification of genetic disorders - Bajikarana (or Vajikarana)
Health and Longevity – Rasayana Tantra
Spiritual Treatment (Psychiatry) – Bhuta Vidya, (Tantra, Prana, Yoga)

The concept of the three doshas

According to the philosophy of Ayurveda, everything that exists, including man, consists of five basic elements (elements): air, fire, water, earth and ether. Their combinations form three fundamental life forces (doshas): Central concept Ayurvedic medicine is the theory that health exists when there is a balance between the three fundamental life forces: - Vata (ether and air), Pitta (fire and water), Kapha (water and earth).

Vata - the impulse principle needed to mobilize the function of the nervous system
Pitta is the energy principle that uses bile to direct digestion and hence metabolism into the venous system.
Kapha is the fluid principle of the body which has to do with mucous substances, lubrication and nutrient source for the arterial system.
A body in which these three vital forces are in a state of balance is in excellent health, and imbalance causes a violation of health. These Ayurvedic concepts allow physicians to explore homeostasis (resilience) complete system and systematize its violations.

The ratio of doshas determines the type of constitution of a person given to him from birth - Prakriti, as well as the type of constitution, which is determined in a person on this moment— Vikriti. There are seven main types of Prakriti and Vikriti: vata, pitta, kapha, vata-pitta, vata-kapha, pitta-kapha, vata-pitta-kapha. All this affects the choice of treatment methods and the restoration of the balance of the three doshas. These principles are developed in various schools Sanskrit philosophy: Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Yoga, Vedanta and Mimamsa.

Disease management in Ayurveda

In ancient Indian medicine, there are two ways to treat disease: Shamana and Shodhana. The first means relief, a palliative method. Shamana practices alleviate the disease and its symptoms. Shodhana means elimination, and its methods seek to eliminate the root cause of disease (i.e. doshas). If the disease can recur after Shamana, then after Shodhana it is impossible. The principles of Ayurveda pharmacology are different from other systems of medicine. Most medicines are made from herbs.

Influence of taste

Ayurveda believes that the tastes of foods or herbs have certain physiological effects and are used in the system of diagnosis and treatment. Those tastes that are formed after digestion (Vipaka) are stronger.

Sweet (Madhura) - Sweet foods nourish, cool, moisturize, lubricate, and increase weight
Sour (Amla) — Sour foods warm, lubricate, and add weight
Salty (Lavan) - Salty warm foods, stimulate, soften, lubricate, and increase weight
Bitter (Katu) - Bitter foods, cool, dry, purifying and reduce weight
Spicy (Tikta) - Spicy foods that are warm, dry, stimulating, and reduce weight
Astringent (Kasaya) - Astringent foods, cool, dry, reduce stiffness.

Medicines in Ayurveda

Ancient Indian medicine believes that various materials vegetable, animal, and mineral origin have medicinal value. Medicinal properties have been documented by practitioners and have been used for centuries to treat illness and/or help maintain health and increase longevity. Many medicines are made from herbs, mixtures of herbs, often combined with minerals, metals, and other animal ingredients. Metals, animals and minerals are purified and prepared by appropriate technological processes for medicinal use. The details of medicinal herbs are given according to the nature, effects, medicinal properties as observed by the practitioners of Ayurveda.

Body cleansing and massage

To cleanse the body of doshas, ​​five different procedures or purification methods are used, which are indicated in the texts of ancient Indian medicine and are prescribed for a small number of diseases, as well as for periodic seasonal cleansing. These five procedures are more commonly known as Panchakarma. The Pancharkarma course usually includes short-term dietary nutrition, massage, herbal application. May include laxatives, baths, sweating techniques, medicated enemas, sinus cleansing, bloodletting. Panchakarma as a purification therapy is perhaps the most misunderstood of all the methods of Ayurveda. Due to ignorance, it is often perceived as a different massage system. So, massage with the use of oils is one of the methods used in ancient Indian medicine. In Sanskrit, massage with the use of oils is Abhyanga, which translates into Russian as "anointing". A person can perform some types of massage on their own. Massage therapists perform this therapy to manage diseases caused by Vata dosha. As part of the drug treatment, massage with oils affects the whole body, i.e. is a holistic, holistic procedure. Massage therapy can soothe pain, relax stiff muscles and reduce the swelling that accompanies arthritis. Advocates argue that toxins rooted in the joints and tissues are released into the excretory systems through massage to be eliminated naturally. Panchakarma can also be used as a rejuvenation therapy. In different regions there are differences in procedures, technique of execution, compositions of oils used. The practice of this therapy should always be performed by competent professionals.

Ayurveda and hemp

Indian hemp preparations are used in Ayurveda as often as mint and St. John's wort in Russian medicine. In the treatises of the founding fathers, hemp is called "bhanga" or "vijaya" ("winner"). It is classified as "sattvik nasha" (sedative intoxicant). A modern Ayurvedic description of hemp (Sala, "Indian Medicinal Plants"):

“The leaves are bitter, astringent, tonic, aphrodisiac, antidiarrheal, poisonous, stomachic, analgesic and abortifacient. Used for convulsions, ear pain without organic causes, gastrointestinal disorders, diarrhea, bodily pain and hemorrhage. Overdose causes dyspepsia, cough, impotence, melancholy, dropsy, hyperpraxia and insanity. The bark is tonic, useful for burns, hemorrhoids and accumulation of serous fluid. The seeds are carminative, astringent, aphrodisiac, antiemetic and anti-inflammatory."

Ayurvedic dosage forms cannabis: powder (kurna), boluses (modaka), compressed tablets (vatika), tinctures (leha and paka), milk extract (dugdhapaka) and decoction (kwatha). The basic preparation is kurna, prepared from mature female inflorescences. They are dried in the shade, ground into a fine powder, which is kept between two heated plates for 7 days. All other preparations are prepared on the basis of this powder.

Cannabis preparations treat male and female infertility, impotence, diarrhea, indigestion, epilepsy, schizophrenia and colic. In addition, this plant is included in fees for the treatment of another 32 diseases. Hemp "kurna" is most often present in medicines not in its pure form, but in a mixture with substances that reduce its psychotropic effect and expand its therapeutic effect. A traditional Ayurvedic potion usually contains 20-30 ingredients and is heavily seasoned with powdered sugar and spices.

Criticism against Ayurveda

Critics cite the lack of rigorous scientific research and clinical trials of Ayurvedic methods. Thus, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that "most clinical trials were insignificant, lacked appropriate control groups, or had other problems in assessing the significance of the results." In India, scientific research in Ayurveda is largely undertaken by the statutory body of the Central Government, the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS), through a national network of research institutes. A large number of non-governmental organizations also carry out research on various aspects of Ayurveda.

Ayurveda in modern times

Due to the increased interest in Eastern philosophy in the West, many are turning to Ayurveda in one way or another. There are frequent cases of partial inclusion of Ayurvedic knowledge in any non-traditional medical practices.
Indian traditional medicine is studied in India under the general direction of the Central Council for Research on Ayurveda and Siddha (CCRAS), which includes a national network of research institutes.
In the United States, at the National Institute of Ayurveda Medicine (founded by Scott Gerson).
In Israel, at Reidaman College, founded by Sally Reidman. Students study for 4 years, studying including allopathic medicine. After graduation, an internship is carried out in India.
In India and Sri Lanka, Ayurveda doctors study for 5.5 years and pass the state exam. It is a full curriculum (B.A.M.S., short for Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, Ayurvedacharya course) and is taught in many Indian and several Sri Lankan universities. It includes four and a half years of study and a year of practice in a hospital.

Initially, Ayurveda is part of the Vedas, the ancient texts of the mysterious Aryans. The age of the treatises is from 3.5 to 6 thousand years. The word itself is translated from Sanskrit as "the science of life." It is known that Ayurveda influenced the development of the Tibetan and ancient Greek schools of medicine. Ibn Sen was familiar with ancient Indian sources.

Many modern methods of healing are rooted in Ayurveda. The World Health Organization has recognized it as an effective alternative system of medicine. According to WHO statistics, about 17% of the world's population uses exclusively Ayurvedic methods of treatment: countries that have passed through the influence of Hinduism are always densely populated. Ayurveda has been practiced in the USA since 1965, we have such medical centers just appear.

"Science of life" sounds nice, but not very clear. Precise definition Ayurveda will be like this: a whole system medical knowledge about temperaments, a healthy lifestyle, and about the prevention and cure of diseases.

An Indian parable tells that all people are divided into three types according to their character. Once the king was sent as a gift three identical golden figurines. But the cover letter said that each of the figurines has its own meaning and value. For a long time, court scientists weighed them, measured the length, checked the gold sample, but could not find any differences. Only one wise man did not give up. He found small holes in the figurines' ears and inserted a golden wire through them. In the first figure, the end of the wire came out of the other ear, in the second - out of the mouth, and in the third - through the navel. After thinking for a moment, he said, “The solution to the riddle has been found. The first figurine symbolizes a person who flies in one ear and flies out the other. The second is reminiscent of a person who, having barely heard what was said, immediately hurries to tell it to others, without bothering to think about it. The third figure is similar to the one who remembers what he heard and tries to pass it through his own heart. It is the most valuable of the three."

Ayurveda is based on an approach that takes into account the effect on physical state a person of his consciousness, his emotional world. In the understanding of the Ayurvedic doctor, the disease does not begin with the physical body, but with some invisible mental shell. All diseases are classified according to six stages of their development, with the first three being considered easily curable, the fourth being curable, the fifth being difficult to treat, and the sixth being incurable.

The first stage of the disease reflects the disruption of the "subtle body" due to negative emotions, base feelings and vices. People, due to insufficient sensitivity, do not notice the onset of the disease and rarely go to the doctor at this stage. If the disease is not eliminated at the psychophysiological and ethereal stages, then it inevitably passes to the third stage - neuroendocrine, and then to endotoxic. Hormonal imbalance causes an imbalance in the work of digestive and cellular enzymes. Such "weakening" is a consequence of karma (sinful tendencies of past or current incarnations) or may be acquired, but the karmic mechanism is considered the most significant. For example, pride weakens the liver, self-centeredness weakens the heart, and hypocrisy weakens the kidneys.

This whole theory seems too complex and, to the eyes of a person of our culture, implausible. But the diagnostic methods of Ayurvedic doctors are simple. They are built on the principle of "five mirrors". Mirrors are the pulse, tongue, auricles, eyes and skin. Certain properties of the pulse, inherent in a particular ailment, are called "Music of the disease."

An Ayurvedic doctor differs from doctors in ordinary clinics, perhaps, only by the color of his skin: so far only visiting Indians have mastered authentic methods. Otherwise - the same white coat, stethoscope. But here the doctor puts three fingers on his wrist, concentrates and begins to listen to the pulse. He was taught to decipher the beating of the heart for ten years. Ayurveda easily recognizes reduced immunity and the fact that the patient gets tired quickly. By the pulse, it determines problems with the work of the intestines and with the genitourinary sphere.

The doctor will advise you to start healing with panchakarma - a complete cleansing of the body, which consists of several stages: cleansing the stomach, cleansing the intestines, nasal therapy and cleansing the blood. It should be noted that this therapy includes only natural remedies: medicinal plants (more than 3000 species!), ghee, minerals, spices, metals.

For any back pain, “kativasti” is prescribed - a procedure for applying a compress of warm medicated oil and herbal paste on the back, lumbar region from 45 minutes to 1 hour. For the treatment of asthma, diseases of the respiratory system, heart disease, pain in the muscles of the chest, the “leveling” procedure is prescribed: warm medical oils are applied to the chest for 45 minutes. And "shirodhara" is used for neurovegetative disorders, insomnia, memory impairment, headaches. Warm oil is poured onto the patient's forehead in a thin stream from a copper vessel. The type of oil, its temperature and the duration of the procedure are determined by the doctor.

An important role is played by a specific marmic massage performed with four hands using the oils prescribed to the patient. Marmas - energy centers human body. Literally translated - "secret" points. In ancient times, knowledge about these centers was used in military affairs: a blow to a vital point undermined the energy of the enemy. The knowledge of marmas helped physicians to heal warriors wounded in battle.

Ayurveda embraces all aspects of life. As a natural medicine, it aims not just to eliminate symptoms, but to create a positive lifestyle that promotes healing and health. To the best way to use Ayurveda, you need to embody its principles in your life. Simply resorting to recommendations for the treatment of specific diseases when health problems arise is to overlook the true richness and beauty of Ayurveda - its knowledge of a harmonious life.

When studying Ayurveda, you will want to change your diet, say, to give up some favorite foods that do not suit you, make changes to your daily routine - for example, get up early, or change the nature and amount of your physical activity. Such lifestyle changes do not happen overnight.

According to Ayurveda, every person is able to heal himself. Everyone is given freedom, the opportunity to save energy and restore their health. We can realize this possibility by understanding the needs of our body and paying attention to their changes, in response to the endless changes in the external world and in the inner world of our feelings. The key to this is awareness, continuous awareness of everything that is happening around.

Symptoms are nothing but our body language. By rewarding us with headaches, diarrhea, fevers, toothaches, aching joints, insomnia, anxiety, fear, or insecurity, the body is talking to us, letting us know that something is wrong, something is out of balance and needs our help. attention.

Ayurveda states that any symptom we experience is an expression of an imbalance in the doshas. To regain good health, you need to restore the disturbed balance, "juggling" these three doshas, ​​giving preference to one or appeasing the other, in order to achieve harmony - to bring vikriti, Current state doshas, ​​to prakriti, the innate optimal state.

Ayurveda teaches to read this language of signs and symptoms. For example, when there are signs of excess heat in the body - skin rash, heartburn, irascible temperament, this indicates an excess of pitta, and measures should be taken to calm it down. Similarly, imbalanced vata may speak to us in the language of insomnia, constipation, or anxiety, while a kapha imbalance will communicate itself as apathy, overeating, or congestion in the lungs, bronchi, and sinuses.

We must not ignore the messages from the doshas, ​​as the state of the doshas is the basis of health and happiness, as well as disease.

It is impossible to achieve true health if the entire responsibility for it is shifted to doctors. Using your own intuition, perception, observation and judgment, you must become your own healer and take responsibility for your own health. Use your knowledge and abilities to the fullest to bring health, harmony and happiness into your life.

The ancient secrets of Ayurveda are the way to yourself.

Ayurveda as a trend in alternative medicine originated in ancient India and is closely related to the Vedas. The Vedas are a universal science of life, a whole philosophical system. While Ayurveda is a method of prevention and treatment of various diseases, establishing harmonious relations between a person and the world, a person and society, it is a body regulation system (the body's desire to restore a damaged part), a nutrition system. Ayurveda: the science of life - what is it?

Today, Vedic medicine Ayurveda is of increasing interest. Let's try to understand what is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda: the science of life

Vedic medicine Ayurveda does not consider the treatment of a person as the treatment of a specific physical body, a disease in its manifestation. Ayurveda believes that if the disease appeared on the material level, then the elimination of symptoms is only the first step in recovery, the whole person should be treated, namely the body, soul, behavior, emotional and mental ( intellectual development) levels. Man is the unity of all of the above.

Western culture differs from Eastern culture primarily in that its inexorable love for the analysis of the division into parts of everything in the world. Oriental man, on the contrary, strives for unity.

Ayurveda (from the word "veda" - "knowledge") - the science of life extension or the art of life, one of the most universal systems created in the East. The formation of the science of Ayurveda took place in India about 5 thousand years ago and developed at the junction of religion, philosophy, medicine and natural sciences, which were inextricably linked, today we can say that this is not just a teaching - it is an Ayurveda treatment.

The basis of Ayurveda is the ancient Indian treatises - the Vedas, written in Sanskrit. A significant place in them is given to medical topics: more than a thousand names of medicinal plants are given, there are many medical terms, mentions several interesting techniques that have been used in ancient times, but have not lost their significance even in our time.

In the science of Ayurveda, there are many texts devoted to the preservation and strengthening of human health. Ancient healers believed that the basis of well-being is absolute harmony, which can be approached by medicinal herbs, massage, nutrition specially selected for each person and other methods. Violation of harmony leads to diseases of the soul and body, inextricably bound friend with a friend.

The science of Ayurveda relies on many techniques: treatment with oils and mummy, herbal and aromatherapy, vegetarianism and naturopathy, acupuncture, massage, urine therapy, etc.

Basic principles of Vedic medicine Ayurveda

Vedic medicine Ayurveda as a system of human health has five levels.

Many authors are grossly mistaken, reducing Ayurveda only to a nutrition system and body treatment, since this is only the first and initial level, it does not concern the rational principle in a person, and body treatment is (no matter how miraculous the medicine may be) only a temporary result. It is necessary to treat a person in all directions.

The first level of Vedic medicine in Ayurveda is the treatment of the body with all kinds of herbs, massage, special system nutrition and exercise.

The second level of Ayurveda is the level of purification, prevention of diseases of the body and psyche, as well as the creation and rooting in a person of all kinds good habits.

The third level of Vedic medicine is devoted to the character of a person, his relationship with everything around him.

The fourth is the transitional level of Ayurveda. Having reached it, many stop: there are some difficulties that people cannot always cope with due to a lack of strength - will, determination, confidence in the correctness of the decision made.

At the fourth stage of Ayurveda, a spiritual mentor is needed, here the directly theoretical, if I may say so, religious part begins. This is the level of asceticism, where people read mantras, various prayers, sing hymns, expand their consciousness in every possible way.

The fifth level of Vedic medicine represents spiritual practice: meditation is studied, and the higher laws of life are known.

Vedic medicine Ayurveda is aimed at connecting the body and soul of a person, developing his harmonious relationship with society and nature.

Doshas of Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, nature is governed by three main forces called doshas. Each of them has its own name: Vata (wind), Pitta (bile) and Kapha (phlegm). Depending on the content of the elements, people are also divided into three groups.

Vata is the constitution of the "people of the wind". Representatives of this type are identified with the air element, the predominance of the energy of air and ether. Home them distinguishing feature- lean, tall, dry skin. The behavior of people of the “wind” constitution is often unpredictable, and at any moment their mood can change. However, these people love everything new and often surprise others by changing themselves. People of this type- sanguine or melancholic, they are emotional, romantic and often naive. They do not have outstanding abilities, but thanks to perseverance they often achieve good results.

Vata in the science of Ayurveda

Vata is the strongest energy of the human body, responsible for the most important life processes: blood circulation, respiration, mental activity and muscle activity. Representatives of the “wind” constitution usually do not have good health, and in many respects it depends on the way of life. The weak points of Vata people are the bones, joints, as well as the organs of vision and hearing. They often suffer from insomnia, chronic diseases of the stomach, have problems with digestion, nervous and cardiovascular systems.

Pitta in the science of Ayurveda

Pitta is the constitution of "people of bile". Representatives of this type are identified with the elements of fire and water. This type includes people with a good figure and good posture. They are bold, assertive, they have a developed sense of humor, a desire for fame and achievement of a goal. In love, they give themselves entirely to their partner, but they also demand the same from him.

People of the "bile" constitution, as a rule, are choleric - they are emotional, quick-tempered, unbalanced, but quick-witted. People of the "bile" warehouse are prone to hasty decisions that are not always correct. These are addicted natures, but they are quickly disappointed, even if the goal is achieved and gives positive results.

People of this type do not have good health. To prolong life, they should be wary of colds and hypothermia, they need to eat right and observe personal hygiene. The weak points of people of the constitution of "bile" are the liver, kidneys, stomach and gallbladder. They suffer from many skin diseases, various allergies, hypertension or hypotension, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Kapha in the science of Ayurveda

Kapha are people of the "mucus" constitution. Representatives of this type are identified with the elements of earth and water. They are usually short, stocky, heavily built, strong, but kind by nature. As a rule, they are satisfied with life, calm, reasonable, unperturbed, although they are slow - they are phlegmatic or sanguine. In life and in those around them, they value stability and reliability most of all, remember for a long time, but do not forget anything.

People of this type have high immunity, they are not susceptible to viral and other infections, they are naturally endowed with good health, among them there are many centenarians. At the same time, they often suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular, endocrine, respiratory systems, certain types of cancer pose a certain danger to them. Their weak points are the heart and head. Kapha people need to carefully monitor their diet, daily routine, normal sleep and rest are extremely important for them.

Eastern healers say: people with a predominance of one of the doshas are rare. In order for a person to be healthy and strong, beautiful and self-confident, a harmonious combination of all three doshas is necessary. However, in fact, there are no ideal people, since the combination of doshas is uneven and one or two predominate in any of us. This ratio determines the individuality of a person - his character, abilities, temperament, appearance and, of course, health.

Three types of food in Ayurveda

The ancient science of Ayurveda claims that for healthy life You need to eat in such a way that all three doshas remain in balance. According to Ayurveda, a person can have three types of natural constitution: Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Depending on what type you are, you need to draw up a nutrition plan, and then your body will be in a state of harmony. The topic of our conversation today is nutrition in Ayurveda.

Vata constitution - you can eat sweet, salty foods, heavy and fatty, feel free to add various spices, but avoid spicy and bitter.

Pitta constitution - the use of cold dishes, drinks, various salads, cold milk, sweet fruits is recommended. Preference should be given to dishes with a bitter and sweet taste. Hot as well as light foods should be avoided.

Kapha constitution - light, warm and dry food, tart in taste, spicy, will do. Eat less salt, cold, heavy meals, refuse fatty foods.

Ayurvedic nutrition: general principles

In general, in Ayurvedic nutrition, great importance is attached to taste (for example, spicy food warms, stimulates metabolism, sweet helps the pancreas, bitter cleans the liver, salt increases appetite).

What should be Ayurveda - nutrition? Ayurveda gives some recommendations about food intake. Here is some of them.

You should only eat if you are very hungry.

If you have the thought that you should have a snack, you need to ask yourself a question and answer honestly: “Am I really hungry?” If you are not hungry, you do not need to overload the body: the food eaten at this moment will only bring harm.

For a healthy life, it is necessary to listen to your body, determine which dishes it has a special disposition for, and boldly introduce them into your diet.

Nutrition in Ayurveda is a harmonious interaction of the soul and body, therefore it attaches great importance inner voice, arguing that the intellect can err, while the voice comes from the heart, from the very being of man.

It is very useful for a healthy life to drink hot water. It is recommended to drink only purified water, after boiling it. Take several sips after 1 hour and before meals. Hot water cleanses the body of toxins and rejuvenates it.

According to Ayurvedic nutritional science, it is advisable to avoid eating meat and replace it with fish or poultry.

According to Ayurveda, food is our main medicine.

What is Ayurveda? it is a system of Indian medicine that originated about 6,000 years ago, translated from Sanskrit as "the science of life" and is considered an upaveda (additional) one of the four Vedas - Atharva Veda. The disease in a person begins when the balance of the three doshas - Vata, Pitta and Kapha - is disturbed in the body, toxins and toxins accumulate. A person is considered healthy when the doshas are in a balanced state.

It is the most ancient system of medicine available now, proven by the experience of many thousands of doctors who have relieved disease and suffering over many millennia, great amount patients. The goal of Ayurveda is to achieve the health of people through finding harmony and balance. Ayurveda, unlike Western medicine, makes a person healthy, and does not fight any specific disease. Huge role it focuses on prevention. To achieve the health of the entire human body, it is necessary to achieve physiological and mental balance, harmony of thoughts, understanding the laws of nature and spiritual development.

European medicine best copes with acute diseases and injuries that require immediate, sometimes surgical, intervention. Westerners mainly suffer from heart vascular diseases, rhinitis, obesity, arthritis, different kind tumors, a sick psyche - the consequences of repetitive stress, drug addiction, alcoholism and some other diseases. Indian medicine Ayurveda is integrated system knowledge, in which one of the main remedies are the correct behavior and lifestyle. Healing is carried out with the help of plants and minerals, yoga and meditation.

According to ancient Indian philosophy, matter consists of five primary elements - panchamahabhut: earth (prithvi), water (jala), fire (agni), air (vayu), ether (akasha). Based on the combinations of panchamahabhutas, doshas are formed - these are pathophysiological factors that support the human body like the corner posts that support the house.

Ether and air form the Vata dosha, which is responsible for inhalation and exhalation, movement, circulation of various substances in the body and the elimination of decay products.

Fire and water form the dosha of Pitta, which governs vision, digestion, heat production in the body, flexibility, cheerfulness, and intelligence.

Water and earth form the Kapha dosha, responsible for splendor, joint work, courage, endurance, stability, resistance.

Principles of Ayurveda

Ayurveda formed the following doctrines. For each element, there is a balanced and an unbalanced state. When Vata is balanced, a person is energetic and creative, but when he is too mobile, he tends to experience anxiety, insomnia, dry skin, constipation and difficulty concentrating. When Pitta is balanced, the person is warm and friendly, disciplined, and a good leader and speaker. When Pitta is out of balance, the person becomes obsessive and irritable, and may suffer from indigestion or inflammatory conditions. When Kapha is balanced, a person is pleasant, reliable and stable, but when Kapha is out of balance, there may be a feeling of lethargy, a tendency to overweight, sinus congestion.

An important goal of the "science of life" is to determine perfect condition balancing the doshas in the body, determining when they are out of balance. Restoration of a balanced state is carried out through the use of diet, herbs, aromatherapy, massage, music and meditation.

Articles on Ayurveda

Ayurveda is knowledge about life, taking into account all its multifaceted aspects. The objects of its study are not only the vital activity of our physical body, but also the mind and soul. Body, mind and soul are three constituent parts on which Ayurvedic therapy is based. Ayurveda takes a holistic view of human life and methods of maintaining its health. Only when the body, mind and soul are in harmony with the universe and with each other can perfect health be achieved.

The integrity of the Ayurvedic approach also lies in the fact that a person is considered not only at the individual level, but also at the social level, not only ways to achieve personal well-being are determined, but great attention is paid to the harmony of society and the individual. Human life can be socially bad or good, and personally happy or not. A good life contributes to social prosperity, while a bad life tends to have the opposite effect. Healthy man is happy, and the patient is unhappy.

The theory of tridosha is based on the universal laws of nature, on the concept that the same laws apply to the human body as to the entire surrounding world. The three doshas, ​​which are three life principles are responsible not only for physiological functions organism, but behavioral factors and mental activity. The three gunas (qualities of the mind) interact with the three doshas. The ancient Indian medical science of Ayurveda considers the body and mind of a person in their mutual unity, without analyzing the body in separate parts.

Important attention in Ayurveda is given to the individual constitution of the human body, which is different for many people. The choice of treatment methods is carried out in accordance with the constitutional type of a person. In general, the Vedic methods of maintaining a healthy state of the body are aimed at helping nature in restoring the balance of body and mind. The balance of the mind implies a harmonious state of the three qualities of the mind - gunas: sattva, rajas and tamas. Ayurveda defines the following concept, healing a person does not mean suppressing the symptoms of the disease, but bringing the body into a state of harmony.

Health - normal condition person, and the goal of Ayurvedic treatment is to restore this condition by using proper nutrition, medicines, certain physical exercises, etc.

Ayurvedic medicine is integral part cultures of India. Indian cooking is based on the principles of Ayurveda. These Vedic principles govern the daily lives of people, their rituals and traditions. Holidays and free time are organized in such a way that people's health is less affected by overstrain and stress.

Ancient sources of Ayurveda

- Charaka Samhita dated to about 150 AD. e. It is the oldest of the Ayurvedic texts that have come down to us, it is the main work on therapy (Kaya chikitsa). Here, knowledge about the natural laws of human existence is described in detail. The methods of diagnosis and treatment of many diseases and the Panchakarma procedure are described in detail. In the Chakara Samhita, many preparations of plant and animal origin are described, several dozen preparations consisting of minerals, prescriptions for medicines are given with a description of the procedure for their manufacture and use.
- Sushruta Samhita- 350 AD e. Sushruta talks about more than 1000 diseases, 700 medicinal plants, 100 preparations of animal and mineral origin. The treatise contains 186 chapters and is devoted to the rules of treatment, the theory of tridosh, a description of surgical instruments, and explains the impact of different seasons on people and plants. Some chapters are devoted to anatomy, pathology, toxicology, therapy of various diseases, methods of purification and rejuvenation of the human body.

- Ashtanga Samgraha- the date of creation varies from 200 to 500 AD, written by Vagbhata. This work describes eight branches of Ayurveda;
also written by Vagbhata and dated approximately to the 4th century CE. e. This text is being studied by Ayurvedic physicians in India and many other countries. It has been translated into Tibetan, Chinese, Persian, Arabic and other languages. The Ashtanga Hridaya Samhita has six chapters, with a total of 120 chapters.

The root of all diseases is the isolation of a person from the complete whole, from not understanding his place in it.

- Sharangadhara Samhita- written as a guide for physicians in the 13th century;
- Madhava nidana;
- bhava prakash- written in 1558 by Bhava Mishra. This samhita is a guide to etiology, symptoms, therapy;
- Harita Samhita;
- Kashyapa Samhita;
- bhela samhita.