About Ayurveda

The Science of Life: Ayurveda and its relation to Indian philosophy is derived from the Vedas, the divine Hindu books of Knowledge. The aim of Ayurveda is not only healing of the sick, but the prevention of illness and the prevention of life, and in that way it comprises a noble system of living that makes Ayurveda the most complete system of medicine and healthcare we know today.
The Eight Branches: There are eight branches of Ayurveda, which are practically integrated on every level. They include detailed treaties on:
· Surgery
· Medicine
· Gynecology
· Pediatrics
· Toxicology
· Otorhinolaryngology (ears, nose and throat)
· Rejuvenation
· Virilification therapy
Prevention is better than Cure: The aim of Ayurveda is not only healing the sick, but the prevention of illness and prevention of life. The Ayurvedic theory of creation discusses factors that are interlinked, including:
· The body
· The mind
· The soul or the consciousness
· The panchmahabhutas (The five elements)
These factors are complementary to each other, and are equally important in every person.
The five elements: The five elements, or panchamahabutas, compose everything in the universe, and they are:
· Space
· Air
· Fire
· Water
· Earth
It is important to recognize that these elements are not the same as the physical elements that we know by these terms.

The Vedas: Although it was meant to have been divinely revealed many thousands of years ago, it was sometimes between 1500 and 1200 BCE that the Rig Veda was actually written down. It is the oldest religious scripture in the world. Three other collections – the Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda- were added later. These were all composed over a period of several centuries and collected in their present from during the first millennium BCE.
The principles of Ayurveda: In Ayurvedic philosophy, everything in the universe is composed of five elements, the panchamahabhutas. These combine into three doshas (the tridoshas) or bioenergetic forces that govern our health and determine our prakruti, or physical constitution. The three gunas – or psychic forces – determine our mental and spiritual health. Ayurveda is a holistic system of healthcare that teaches us to balance these energies in order to achieves optimum health and well being, and to preserve life.
Ayurveda Today: In the world today there is strife, conflict, anger, and the outbreak of previously unknown diseases like BSE and AIDS. There is a complete decline in morality, too. But there is also greater spiritual awareness in the west and the east among the more sensitive and universally oriented individuals, and in this climate, Ayurveda is making a strong comeback, not only in India, but all over the western world.

An Ayurvedic Lifestyle: The traditional ayurvedic texts provide clear instruction for day to day living in the “dincharya”, or daily routine. They also suggest ways in which we should adapt to the various seasons in the “riyucharya”, or seasonal routine. If we adhere to the rules of healthy living, our doshas will become and remain balanced, and we will maintain optimum health and well being, and have a long, healthy life.