Basic theory of Ayurveda treatment

What is Ayurveda?

Ayu, or in Sanskrit, Ayus, means life, and Veda means knowledge. Ayurveda is the knowledge of life or life science. Only herbs are used in Ayurvedic treatments. ‘Atharvaveda’ is a part of the Holy Vedas. A section of this Atharvaveda describes medicine. This is Ayurveda. Ayurveda medicine is about 5000 years old. In this medical system, more emphasis is placed on curing disease and leading a healthy lifestyle. There are various legends about the origin of Ayurveda. One view is that Dhanvantari, or Dibodasa, received Ayurveda from Brahma. Another view is that Muni’s lost work is a contribution to Ayurveda.

Basic theory of Ayurveda treatment:

According to Ayurveda, the human body is made up of four main elements.

They are:
1) Fault.
2) Dathu.
3) Faeces.
4) Fire.

Dosha: The Dosha element consists of three basic elements. They are vata, pitta, and kapha. The co-existence of these doshas within the body is physical health. Due to the instability of these doshas, the body becomes sick.

Ayurveda

Dathu: This dosha carries the human body. There are a total of 7 dathus in the human body. These 7 dathus are blood, flesh, bone, marrow, fat, water, and Venus. These dathus play a role in body nutrition, growth, and mental development.

Feces: The waste material of the body is called feces.

There are three types of feces:

1) Toilet.
2) Urine.
3) sweat.

Just as body waste is called ‘Mall’, dathu waste is called ‘kitta’.

Proper excretion of these stools and wastes is necessary for physical and mental health.

Agni: Agni is a biochemical produced in the body tissue of olive, it participates in the digestion and chemical reactions of the body.

Structure and nature of the body: According to Ayurveda, our body and even all the objects in the universe are made up of Panchabhuta, or five special elements. This panchamahabhuta is earth, water, air, fire, and space. That is, as these elements exist in the body, they are also present in the food we consume to protect the body.

Why do we get sick?

If there is a change in the balance of these elements and the physical condition of the body due to any internal or external reason, then we become ill.

This balance varies due to:

1) Defective lifestyle and dietary habits.
2) Debauchery of sensuality.
3) Excessive or incorrect exercise or physical activity.
4) Menstrual disturbances or abnormalities in women.
5) Incongruent use of body and mind.

Ayurvedic treatment:

The doctor’s first duty is to restore the patient to good health. That is, all the efforts of the doctor are active for health protection, health improvement, disease prevention, and disease control. The doctor has to find out the cause of the disturbance of the balance of five functions inside the body and work to restore it to a healthy state.

While doing this, medicine for the disease, nutritious food, ancillary management of the disease, lifestyle changes, etc. should be arranged for the patient. In the treatment of disease, four components are generally required: a physician, medicine, food, and appropriate activities.

There are four components involved in medical management:

1) Doctor.
2) Medicines.
3) Waitress.
4) Patient.

The doctor’s place is first in terms of importance. The physician benefits the human race through his understanding, medical knowledge, humane sense, clear-mindedness, humility, and prudence.

All the other things that need to be looked at seriously.

1) Proper diet.
2) To lead a harmonious life by improving the attitude.
3) Taking medicine.
4) Healing Panchakarma.
5) Chemistry treatment.

Ayurvedic diagnosis:

In Ayurvedic treatment, the diagnosis of a patient’s disease is made by judging all the physical and mental conditions of the patient. The doctor first tries to find out exactly which organ is affected, and where the disease is located. Then try to feel how much the patient’s daily life, eating habits, digestive power, cells, muscles, dathus, etc. have been affected by the illness. Then he considers the patient’s vitality, dathus, the patient’s immune system, the patient’s daily living system, the patient’s personal, economic, social, and surrounding conditions, etc.

Besides, some diagnostic or pathological tests are done in the diagnosis of the disease:

1) General physical examination.
2) Pulse test.
3) Stool test.
4) Urine test.
5) Tongue and eye examination.
6) Activity tests of skin, ear, touch, etc.

Types of Ayurveda treatment:

Purification: By this method, the causes of physical and mental illness of the patient are removed, and the patient is purified inside and outside.

The means used in this method are:

Emetics, laxatives, intranasal sprays, nasal sprays, and artificial sweat are also treatments that remove toxins from the body. This treatment is very useful in neuropathic bone and muscle diseases, arterial diseases, and respiratory and digestive system diseases.

Shaman treatment: (Palliative treatment) The method by which the polluted dosha is reversed without disturbing the balance of the panchakarmas of the body is called Shaman treatment. The body is invigorated by stimulation of appetite, activity of digestion, exercise, and light and air. Palliative medicines and pain relievers are used in this.

Diet: (regulations of activities and food habits): The fire inside the body is stimulated by restrictions on daily food habits. As a result, the digestive process is speeded up, the food is digested well, and it is used to nourish the body.

Nidan Paribarjan: (Avoidance of the cause of disease and aggravating factors of disease): Avoiding or abandoning the elements of daily diet and lifestyle that are making the body/mind diseased does not lead to further aggravation of the disease.

Ayurveda

Sattvajaya: (Treatment of mental disorders): It is used in mental disorders. By this method, keeping the patient’s mind free from the desire for unhealthy things, giving courage, increasing memory, knowledge, learning, and psychology are encouraged.

Chemistry treatment: (Medication for Immunity and Rejuvenation): A chemistry treatment is meant to bring strength and vitality to the human body. By preventing untimely decay of the body, increasing physical strength, increasing memory, increasing immunity, keeping youth intact, and preserving the full energy of the body and senses, these benefits can be obtained by chemical treatment.

Diet: Controlling the diet in Ayurveda is an adjunct to treatment. According to Ayurveda, our body is the result of the food we eat. That is, our physical and mental development are all directly dependent on the quality of our food. Our food is first digested and converted into ‘chail’ or juice. It is then converted by various chemical processes into blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow, regenerative material, and ojas. That is, food is the source of all chemical activities and vitality in the body. Lack of nutrients in food or improper conversion is a contributor to various diseases.

Read more:
Ayurveda for healthy life Ideal lifestyle First episode

Dr. Dipankar Mondal
Registered Homeopath
26/02/2022