Dr. Mercola October 18 2008 139,854 views
Ayurveda is an ancient holistic system of medicine and natural healing from India, and is the oldest known form of healthcare in the world.
We can find historical evidence of Ayurveda in the ancient books of wisdom known as the Vedas, written over 6,000 years ago, of which only a small portion is available to us from that time.1
Tibetan medicine and traditional Chinese medicine both have their roots in Ayurveda. Early Greek medicine also embraced many concepts originally described in the classical Ayurvedic medical texts. Ayurveda has been used and practiced throughout the subcontinent, Indonesia and many other countries in the surrounding region for thousands of years, although it was often suppressed during various occupations in those areas.
Recently the western world, particularly Europe and the United States, has become increasingly fascinated with and interested in Ayurvedic medicine.
The Science of Life
The world Ayurveda roughly translates as “The Science of Life.” It is merger of two Sanskrit words: ‘Ayu’ (the root of ayur & ayus ) which means ‘life,’ and ‘Veda’ which means a combination of ‘science, knowledge and wisdom.’
According to Ayurveda, first noted by the ancient Ayurvedic scholar Charaka: human life is the combination of mind, body, senses and soul.
Ayurveda sees that the senses and the mind work in conjunction with one another and greatly influence our physiology.
Ayurveda is not just a medical system. It sees human beings as an integral part of nature. It believes that human beings should live in harmony with nature just as the animals and plants do, and utilize the laws of nature to create health and balance within. It adheres to this focus in guiding human beings to maintain health by using the inherent principles of nature to bring an individual back into equilibrium with his or her true self.
The ancient texts reveal that Ayurveda was also originally used as a regime to remove obstacles on one’s path to Self-Realization. At some point the medical aspects began to take priority over the spiritual forms of healing.
Today, these spiritual aspects of Ayurveda have taken a back seat to the medical focus. As Ayurveda becomes more commercially viable, the spiritual aspects may continue to lose ground. Yet there are a growing number of practitioners who employ these spiritual therapies and find better results than limiting their approach only to the medical, physical realm.
Understanding Ayurveda
Ayurvedic wisdom offers life-enhancing practices as well as herbal medicinal preparations for the health and well being of the whole human being: body, mind, and soul. It is much more than just a system to treat symptoms or physical illness.
Ayurveda describes three fundamental energies that govern our health and well being, and are seen both in our internal and external environments. Called ‘doshas’ these three energies are known as:
Ayurveda sees these primary forces in a unique combination in every individual, and as relating to the characteristics of our mind and body. Every individual has a unique proportion of these three forces that shapes our nature.
These doshas also have the characteristic of being: movement (Vata), transformation (Pitta) and structure (Kapha). We are all made up of unique proportions of Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The ratios of the doshas vary in each individual. Because of this, Ayurveda sees each person as a special mixture that accounts for our diversity.
Ayurveda gives us a model to look at each individual as a unique makeup of the three doshas (and sub-doshas), and thereby design treatment protocols that specifically address a person’s health challenges.
Herbs are often recommended to supplement the nutritional requirements on a regular basis to build and maintain a healthy physiology. As some of the Ayurvedic herbs are now recognized to be the most potent and powerful adaptogens on the planet -- and since stress is now known to be a significant factor in over 80 percent of all illnesses -- these herbs are essential in any health program designed to promote and maintain a healthy human body.
When any of the doshas become aggravated, thereby upsetting the natural harmony for the individual, Ayurveda suggests specific lifestyle and nutritional guidelines as well as specific medicinal herbs to assist the individual in reducing and rebalancing the dosha that has become excessive or out of balance.
Ayurveda goes into great detail to describe the medicinal attributes of many herbs and their correct usage to compliment and hasten the healing process, and to strengthen the body’s organs and systems.
Ayurvedic Herbs: Controversy Over Pharma Attempts at Patents2
Growing awareness in the west of the efficacy of Ayurvedic herbs and formulations has led to controversy and battles with the western pharmaceutical companies trying to patent these herbs.3
Only recently discovered in the west, Ayurvedic herbs such as Neem, Ashwagandha, Tulsi, Shatavari, Turmeric, Amalaki and Brahmi as well as traditional preparations such as Triphala and Trikatu have long been known to have significant medicinal value without adverse side effects.
Several pharmaceutical companies and academic institutions in the west have come into conflict with Indian academic institutions and traditional Ayurvedic practitioners over the intellectual property rights of herbal products researched by the western agencies.
The Ayurvedic practitioners have known about the efficacy of such products for centuries, and so contend that they carry precedence with regards to patent rights on such products.
Free Trade Industrial Agriculture Rules Threaten the World’s Farmers
Per the World Trade Organization Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights Agreement:4
“Indian farmers, traditional practitioners, and traders will lose their market share in local, national and global markets. For example, recently the U.S. government granted a patent for the anti-diabetic properties of karela, jamun, and brinjal to two non-resident Indians, Onkar S.Tomer and Kripanath Borah, and their colleague Peter Gloniski. Yet the use of these substances for control of diabetes is everyday knowledge and practice in India. Their medical use is documented in authoritative treatises such as Wealth of India, the Compendium of Indian Medicinal Plants and the Treatise on Indian Medicinal Plants.
If there were only one or two cases of such false claims to invention on the basis of biopiracy, they could be called an error. However, biopiracy is an epidemic.
Neem, haldi, pepper, harar, bahera, amla, mustard, basmati, ginger, castor, jaramla, amaltas and new karela and jamun have all been patented. The problem is not, as was made out to be in the case of turmeric, an error made by a patent clerk. The problem is deep and systemic. And it calls for a systemic change, not case-by-case challenges. The potential costs of biopiracy to the Third World poor are very high since two-thirds of the people in the South depend on free access to biodiversity for their livelihoods and needs. Seventy percent of seed in India is saved or shared farmers’ seed; 70 percent of healing is based on indigenous medicine using local plants.”
Obtaining Potent, Efficacious, Organic (Heavy-Metal Free) Ayurvedic Herbs
It has been mostly individual practitioners who procure, grow, dry and prepare these herbs and preparations in an effective, potent manner, whereas commercially available Ayurvedic products have been of substandard quality.
It is only recently that a few companies have started producing high quality organic Ayurvedic herbal products, most notably, ORGANIC INDIA Pvt. Ltd. Headquartered in Lucknow, UP. North India.
Ayurveda Moving West
Clinical practice, research and education in Ayurvedic medicine remain the most authentic in India. However, attempts are being made by westerners to export the essence of Ayurveda to complement their own medical systems, where the pharmaceutical industry and allopathic medicine predominates.
As a result of regulations in medical practice in Europe and America, the most commonly practiced Ayurvedic treatments in the west are massage, dietary counseling and herbal advice.
The NAMA (National Ayurvedic Medical Association-USA) is one of several groups seeking to set standards for Ayurveda in the west.
There are 26 schools in the US and dozens in Europe which are teaching 500+ hour courses for proficiency at Ayurvedic Health Practitioners, certified but not licensed.
In the United States, the NIH NCCAM expends some of its $123 million budget on Ayurvedic medicine research. In addition, the National Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine, established by Dr. Scott Gerson, is an example of a research institute that has carried out research into Ayurvedic practices.
Dr. Gerson has published part of his work on the antifungal activities of certain Ayurvedic plants in medical journals. Other notable researchers on ayurveda in the West include Dr. Bala Manyam, the Maharishi Ayurveda group in Fairfield, Iowa, and Dr. Mano Venkatraman at the University of Washington, Seattle.
Ayurveda is a Recognized Medicine
Ayurvedic practitioners are regularly appointed as an “Honorary Ayurvedic Physician” to the President of India. Every year on the occasion of Dhanvantari Jayanti, a prestigious Dhanvantari Award is conferred on a famous personality of medicine, including a doctor of Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is a statutory, recognized medical system of health care like other medical systems existing in India. Ayurvedic medicines have to be approved, registered and licensed by the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM), which governs and recommends policies for the research and development of the system.
In India, practitioners in Ayurveda undergo five and a half years of training, including one year of internship in select Ayurveda medical schools, where they earn the professional doctorate degree of Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery.
I'm not 100% sure about how much Chinese Medicine has it's root in Ayurvedic medince. While there was a lot of borrowing between India and China in terms of medicine, religions and martial arts, the Chinese have the oldest surviving civilization on the planet today and their medical knowledge is the oldest and most complete available. Anything you find in any other medicine can be found in the Chinese system.
Chinese medicine lists over 8500 herbals prescriptions where as Ayurvedic medicine lists about 2600. There may have been many more as mentioned and that knowledge could have been destroyed as mentioned.
Either way, the more the world starts to wake up to the true potential and power of natural medicine, nature, bio-energy, chi, breathing, meditation, herbs and other natural techniques and methods of healing the better off we'll all be...aside from the nuts jobs that control modern medicine that is.
You've got it right for sure RichJedi!
I don't know for sure about herbs and I tend to believe that you may be right
with a pinch of doubt; I have, in other hand been priviledged to see the origin of Martial Art and it is NOT coming from China but from India.
Perhaps, though, more originated from India, than not. And Ayurvedic medicine does NOT use animal by product as Chinese does. Which still today endangered the population of some animals.
Namaste
Martial Art systems originated in Greece. Alexander the Great imported Pankration to India.
For those who also wish to know more about what's really going on in this world, why the country is in the financial state it's in and who's really controlling and ruling the world, look for the video "Secret Rulers Of The World" AKA "Ring Of Power" on either Google videos or Youtube. It's a long 5 hour movie but there is much serious info in it.
Medical scams and lies are all part of it and this film shows why our food is poisoned, drugs are kind and why they want everyone dumb, stupid and distracted with entertainment, fun and the self. It's not about health per sae, but you will see all those connections to medicine and soo much more in it.
May the force be with you!
I was introduced to the Vedic philosophies back in 1991 through books from Deepak Chopra.
His books Quantum Healing & Unconditional Life was my initiation to Ayurveda.
One thing needs to be added to the article though. Ayurveda shows the oneness of the body/mind connection too. The consuming of Vedic herbs and foods alone is only 1/2 the procedure.
Your mind set is the 2nd half. Meditation to quiet the mind, reduces stress. All the medicines and/or herbs when absorbed into a stress riddled mind and body severely reduces its potential.
...just a thought
RB
North Carolina
RB: That sounds logical.
yes RB, you are correct in adding consciousness to the equation. Ayurveda has extensive depth and breadth, so it can be challenging to outline all of what it entails in a just a short introduction. I respect him and I think Dr. Mercola did a fine job of introducing Ayurveda. And after teaching about Ayureda for years (15+) it is nice to see people who have even heard of it lately. Thanks Deepak!
I would add that diet per se isnt 1/2 of the equation and any fare and any herbs so to say can be used, not just 'Vedic foods'. We look at the quality of the foods, are they: heating, cooling, reducing, stimulating, grounding etc.
Also, the lifestyle at large including daily and seasonal routine, environment, quality of contact in relationships, stress levels etc. there are so many factors that are considered essential.
I know Deepak and his approach is mostly consciousness based, some other Ayurveda practitioners may be more physiological, devotional or emotional based. There are as many approaches as there are practitioners, which is one of the beautiful aspects of Ayurveda, it is the science of life, life happening in the here and now, with you and I. The yoga sutras elude to this (yoga and Ayurveda are sister sciences and were learned and taught together in the early days of Ayurveda) in the first yoga sutra, they say now we begin to learn about the yoga sutras. If you dont look any deeper one would say, that this sutra is dispensable, but at a deeper look we see that they are implying there is some eternal feeling to it. Meaning that it is occurring in the here and now, with you and I.
Also, The annual NAMA conference is open to the public.
I enjoyed writing this, thank you.
warmly,
Darci
"Darci has a strong commitment to healing and transformation
which she expresses through her wisdom in Ayurveda."
- Deepak Chopra M.D., Author
Ayurvedic practitioners are working to make this ancient philosophy more accessible to us. The Chopra Center is now endorsing an Amalaki-based supplement balanced with 6 other botanicals from Ayruvedic medicine. I've had amazing results from it so far. You can read about the supplement the Chopra Center is supporting here: http://johnson.myzrii.com. Health and prosperity to all.
Natualpathic medicine will make a blazing comeback shortly in the western world. It's the oldest known medicine in the world and works great, but is demonized by the pharmaceutical controlled western medicine system as being alternative. My prediction is that within four more years we'll see the total collapse of western medicine when employers decide to stop paying these aweful health insurance premiums for their employees. A simular bubble was burst in 2000 with the dot.com boom and then another in 2006 with the housing boom. Watch, the western medical bubble will be next.
Carrieon, not a chance - unfortunately! Money talks, big Pharma has the money.
I do not have health insurance anymore because when I had it I saw myself going to allopathic physicians who sadly do not have a clue about health issues or how to diagnose health problems. I went to a naturopath and in 10 minutes he found what allopathic doctors where not able to find in 20 + years. I don't see that insurance companies will drop allopathic coverage in place of naturopathic treatments; big pharma and the insurance companies are very intimately intertwined. It is very sad.
As mentioned many systems of medicine and martial arts originated in similar times. Some can point to Egypt as a source of various wrestling arts and so forth. But China being almost totally isolated for thousands of years except for some limited contact between India, Tibet and the Mongols to the north developed their own system of both medicine and martial arts. Many think that the Chinese martial arts and their chi-gung came from India because of Da Mao who was an Indian prince who traveled to China in the 5th century AD. He taught the Shaolin monks who were the only ones who accepted him to hear him preach, a system of breathing exercises to allow them to meditate longer as they were in poor health when he saw them.
The monks had already been practicing Chinese martial arts and buddhism prior to Da Mao's arrival. But his knowledge greatly increases their health, physical strength, endurance and martial skill by their applying those chi-gung techniques and meditations that he taught them to martial arts. This is what made the Shaolin martial artists nearly unbeatable and earned them a fierce reputation. This is also where George Lucas got a lot of the idea for Jedi from in the Star Wars movies, another topic though.
The Taoists of China had been practicing herbal medicine for nearly three thousand years prior to the arrival of Da Mao in the 5th century AD. One of the oldest and most complete medical books in existence, if not the oldest is "The Yellow Emperors classic of internal medicine" written around 2600BC. Some other copies are said to have been dated several centuries earlier than this. So the Chinese had a solid understanding of Chi, energy flow, acupuncture meridians, herbal cures, disease and so much more during the time that the Egyptians were building their pyramids and the children of Israel had just become slaves in Egypt, or there abouts.
The Chinese have the oldest, deepest and most complete system of health care and martial arts known today
As an Ayurvedic Practitioner and President of the CA. Assoc. of Ayurvedic Medicine I obviously enjoyed, and am appreciative of, Dr Mercola's article. While Ayurveda, the "science of life" derives from ancient East India, its knowledge, principles, and applications are not limited to the Indian Subcontinent, its culture, religions, or beliefs.
The knowledge from which Ayurveda derives is eternal. It is structured in the laws of nature. These laws are universal principles which apply to all cultures, all people, all places, and all times, past,present, and future. While the knowledge is unchanging and just as relevant now as it was 5,000 years ago, it has the inherent capacity to be adapted to different cultures in different ages, regardless of belief systems, thus bringing the possibility of fulfilling humankind's eternal desire for perfect health and a productive, long, fulfilling life.
I encourage everone to take advantage of this vast system of health care and find a qualified Ayurvedic Practitioner to help them in their own healing journey. For more information, please contact:
www.ayurveda-nama. org (National Ayurvedic Medical Assoc)
www.ayurveda-caam.org ( CA. Assoc. of Ayurvedic Medicine)
I would like to see our employers add some kind of "agreement" type "health insurance" for HOMEOPATHIC clinics. It's the only medicine I trust anymore short of breaking a leg. None of them take insurance because the insurance companies don't have to cover it. It's expensive, but it's the ONLY medicine that works for me. Chinese medicine is good too but same situation. I would like to take the "money" that is alloted to me by the "insurance" and use it like I want to and where I want to. Like an insurance REFORM situation. Someone smart enough to do that out there could have a great business fast. Then small and large companies out there could offer you a choice of what health care you use. It could also be used to buy herbs and vitamines instead of say ambien or vicadin.