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Ayurveda and the Three Doshas
Every country has its traditional system of medicine that is a part of its glorious history, and people have passed it from generation to generation. This conventional system connects people to their ancestors and is the window to the lifestyle and knowledge of history. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Traditional Korean medicine (TKM), Kampo, Unani, etc., are such forms of conventional treatments that native people have used for ages. India, too, has its well-organized method of health care, popularly anointed Ayurveda.
History
Ayurveda, believed to have originated in India around 3,000 years ago, has a long tradition behind it. Its initial concepts can be traced to ancient Indian scriptures, including Atharvaveda- presumably written in the 2nd Millenium BCE. The chief health ailments cited are consumption, fever (takman), dropsy (edema), cough, diarrhea, seizures, tumors, skin diseases (like leprosy), and abscesses. For the treatment, writers have cited numerous herbs that change as per the season.
Other ancient scriptures, including the Caraka-Samhita written by Caraka (a physician), and Susruta-Samhita by Susruta (a surgeon), are other medical books with detailed treatments of Ayurveda.
Ayurvedic Treatments:
Today Ayurveda is a preferred form of health care in large parts of the Eastern world, predominantly in India and Sri Lanka. A large percentage of the population from these areas uses Ayurveda either exclusively or combines it with allopathy for fast relief. In India, most Ayurvedic practitioners work in rural areas and provide this traditional health care facility to more than 500 million people.
Like other modern medical treatments, Ayurveda includes both preventive and curative elements. The preventive segment highlights the need for a strictly personal and social hygiene code. The curative part of Ayurveda focuses on the use of herbal medicines, physiotherapy, diet, and external practices.
However, the practitioners personalize treatments in each segment as per the individual’s personal needs and climatic and environmental conditions.
Ayurveda is one of the world’s most aged holistic healing systems focusing on the whole body. The ancient medical system believes that wellness and health depend on a peaceful balance between the soul, mind, and body. So, for good health, the soul, mind, and body should be in harmony with the universe. When something disrupts this equilibrium, diseases follow. Injuries, age, emotions, climatic and seasonal changes, genetic or congenital disabilities, etc., are some of the forces that could cause the imbalance. The principal goal of Ayurveda is to foster good health rather than fight disease. Each treatment, however, differs from others and focuses on specific health problems.
The Three Doshas:
Ayurveda practitioners believe every person to be made of five essential elements of the universe. They are fire, water, space, air, and earth. These elements integrate into the human body to form three life forces or energies. Ayurveda calls these energies- doshas which control how our body works.
These three doshas are:
- Vata dosha (space and air)
- Pitta dosha (fire and water)
- Kapha dosha (water and earth)
It’s believed that the human body develops sickness and other health issues because of the imbalance of the doshas.
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Vata Dosha
Vata dosha is the most influential of the three energies present in the human body. It regulates many functions of our body, including cell division. The dosha also controls our mind, blood flow, heart function, and breathing. It also helps our body get rid of waste through our intestines.
Factors including but not limited to stress, fear, sadness, staying up late, and the habit of eating again too soon after a meal can create an imbalance in the Vata dosha. This can eventually lead to conditions like heart disease, anxiety, asthma, skin problems, and rheumatoid arthritis.
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Pitta Dosha
Pitta dosha is related to our metabolism, how fast our body breaks down food, and our digestion. It also controls the hormones related to our appetite. Consumption of sour or spicy food or overexposure to the sunlight can imbalance the dosha. People suffering from Pitta dosha run a high chance of developing high blood pressure, heart ailments, and infections.
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Kapha Dosha
As a life force, Kapha dosha controls our immune system, weight, body strength, muscle growth, and stability.
Habits like eating too many sweet foods, sleeping during the day, and consuming items that contain too much water or salt can disturb this dosha.Disturbing this leading life energy can expose one to diseases like breathing disorders like asthama, respiratory infections, diabetes, obesity, nausea after eating, and in the worst case, even cancer.
Where to Take Ayurvedic Treatment
Kerala is one of the best places to have Ayurvedic treatment. The state proudly claims to be the best place for Ayurvedic retort with perfect temperature, peaceful surroundings, and availability of the desired herbs. There are numerous resorts here that provide carefully curated packages for complete relief. Seekers can book any Ayurveda package for themselves and enjoy absolute rejuvenation, relaxation, and detoxification.
