Ayurveda is the most ancient system of medicine in the world. It is the upaveda of the Atharvaveda.
Ayu means life. Veda means science. So, it is a science of life.
I want to tell some practical aspects in Ayurveda and its treatments.
The common idea what people have about Ayurveda treatment is some kinds of massages and a group of bitter medicines and some food restrictions all which people think they can not follow and is some old fashion in this newer faster world.
For a certain percentage, the practicing Ayurvedic doctors are responsible for this type of false knowledge of public. Practicing other systems of medicines, not knowing the exact range of Ayurveda medicines and therapies are reasons for this.
Most of the places, we can see that the illness is diagnosed on the basis of allopathic principles and treatment is given on the basis of Ayurvedic principles which in turn makes a big bluff. How can it be possible? How the medicines act? If somebody asks these questions the doctor won’t be having any answers and he may relay on the medical representatives or the indications on the strip (for e.g. for Spondylosis some patent Ayurvedic medicines.)
Once we diagnose the illness on the basis of Ayurvedic principles i.e. mainly Thridoshas, i.e. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha then it is very easy to explain the treatment. Let me explain you these Thridoshas in common word.
Vata------Any movement in the body, macro or micro movements, nerve impulses, finger, hand movements, eyelid movements, talking, sensation etc all come under the vata dosha functions.
Pitta------Macro and micro digestion, metabolism, catabolism, anabolism etc.
Kapha----Binding, keeping cells together, giving shape, providing lubrication etc.
In body without vata there is no pain, without pitta there is no burning sensation, and without kapha there is no swelling.
So, one has to look into the predominance of doshas among these three in particular illness and patient symptoms. Then the medicine has to be decided. For e.g. if a person is having joint pain with swelling (which means there is aggravation of vata and kapha) the medicines should be selected which will reduce vata and kapha. The nadeepareeksha (ayurvedic way of assessing the nadee i.e. pulse) is having a very important role in deciding the doshas apart from patient symptoms. (One has to see the subdoshas and dhatus also). So, spondylosis with swelling and burning sensation along with pain will be responding to corresponding medicines unless like common painkillers.
In the same way the “panchakarma” (Five purificatory procedures of ayurveda) also works.
Acidity, headaches, sinusitis, asthma, arthritis, sleep disorders, piles, skin diseases, menstrual problems, muscular pains, diabetes, hypertension, jaundice, low body resistance power etc are having tremendous treatments in Ayurveda.
One should know the limitations also. You can not be overconfident in some acute cases where temperature is very high, or blood pressure is very high etc. A good doctor will be knowing to refer the patient at right time.
Panchakarma treatments will also help the patients if taken under strict supervision of an ayurvedic doctor. First, one should know that only the massage is not ayurveda or panchakarma.
One can’t give a massage in muscular pain which is very acute and very tender. At that time the vata dosha will be aggravated there. If a massage is given then we are again hurting that area. But, there are some “lepas” (medicinal pastes) and oils which are applied or used as bandages which will reduce the pain and swelling.
PANCHAKARMAS:
Vamana (emesis) : Very good in kapha dosha.
Virechana (purgation) : Very good in pitta dosha.
Nasyam (nasal drops) : Very good in diseases above the neck particularly of
Kapha dosha predominance.
Vasti (Enema type) : Best treatment for vata.
Raktamokshana
(blood letting) : Good in Raktadustis.
There are many people who come to ayurvedic treatment and first thing they ask is side effects without knowing the effects first. The second thing they ask is the guaranty. It looks funny to give guaranty for all things. A doctor who is serious about his profession who is practicing by keeping medical ethics in mind will always try to do maximum to his patients so that they will get maximum benefit and early cure. Sometimes these type of questions pains and this questions the faith they have on the doctor and on the treatment also. This creates a gap in the doctor-patient relationship. I am not blaming patients also, because some doctors might have given them some false assurance and hope or they may be fed up with the longstanding illness and failed treatments in their case.
One has to consult the ayurvedic doctor and determine his dosha level and then only go for these treatments if they are fit to undergo these treatments.
Diet also has a very important role not only along with medicines but also in our daily life. If you acidity then how you can take spicy and oily food. Same way, particular illness with particular symptoms will have particular diet restrictions and more than that these are told to get better result and one should think that these are told to help then and not as punishment. Some people feel that the restrictions are because of the ayurvedic treatment and medicine but it is not so. The dietary restrictions are for the diseases and should be continued. Many of them feel this as difficult to follow but tell me one thing what you will do if you are hospitalized for any surgery or admitted for observation. You should be thankful to ayurvedic doctors that they are atleast allowing something to eat and drink(not putting you on drips). I am joking. I mean to say see the positiveness and the negative.
So, you consult an ayurvedic doctor discuss with him and think over it, and decide which treatment system to be followed. It is all you to decide about your health. Nobody can force you, I never. You should get cured with minimum or almost nil side effects whichever system of medicine you may follow.
All systems of medicines are the different roads which finally reach a destination called HEALTH or CURE.
DR. USHAKIRAN
BAMS, DYN
MEDICAL OFFICER
SANTHIGIRI AYURVEDA AND SIDDHA VAIDYASALA
VASCO-DA-GAMA
9975792699/9762415512
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