ABOUT AYURVEDA

Aim of Ayurveda

The goal of Ayurveda is “total satisfaction” on the physical, psychological, and spiritual levels. Ayurveda not only eliminates the symptoms but also eliminates the causes of the resulting diseases, which we call imbalances. It works holistically and encompasses the physical, mental, and spiritual levels of being. Treatment involves balancing these three pillars with the following:

1. Detoxification of the body – “Panchakarma,”
2. A balanced diet,
3. Treatment and lubrication with different oils,
4. Treatment with herbs and their mixtures,
5. Basma treatment,
6. Treatment with adaptogens,
7. Healing with crystals and colors,
8. Meditation,
9. Yoga – asanas,
10. Pranayama,
11. Astrology – “Jyotish,”
12. Residential Arrangement – “Vastu Shastra.”

Physical and psychological imbalances are noticeably improved by correctly balancing all energies (principles) – called doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). This is the basis of Ayurvedic methodology.

In Hinduism, Danvantari is a doctor or dev – God. He is considered an avatar – an incarnation of Vishnu. He is mentioned in the Puranas as the God of Ayurveda. He holds a pot of Armita nectar in his lower right hand, a leech (Jalauka) in his lower left hand, and a chakra and conch shell in his upper two hands.

Prakruti and Vikruti

The state at birth is called Prakruti. It depends on the state of our parents at the time of conception, their lifestyle, stress, nutritional habits, and genetic makeup. A trained therapist can determine it by pulse diagnostics.

The current state, however, is called Vikruti. It is usually destroyed due to external factors. When Prakruti and Vikruti are balanced in the body, there is order, health, or homeostasis. Vikruti tells us where there are imbalances in the body.

Vikruti is determined by examining:

1. Vital examination is called “Nadi Pariksha” or “Nadi Vigyan” – pulse diagnosis. Pulse is the most accurate determination of an individual’s Prakruti and Vikruti. Traditionally, Nadi Pariksha is determined by sensing the pulse at three points on the radial artery and assessing the doshas by palpating the pulse.
2. Tongue examination is called “Jihva Pariksha” or tongue diagnosis. The tongue is a map of the internal metabolic organs and indicates how intense the digestive fire is – Agni. A coated tongue indicates poisons in a particular organ of the body. Lines, bumps, and cracks are also signs of body imbalance.
3. Eye examination is called “Netra Pariksha” and is a vital part of the examination. The eyes’ shape, size, and color tell us about an imbalance related to the liver. Misty eyes, yellow sclera, and dark circles under the eyes indicate an imbalance of the kidneys, hormones, and liver.
4. The mode of speaking is called “Shabda Pariksha.” A person with a Vata imbalance speaks quickly and incoherently, and a Pitta person speaks critically and harshly. With Kapha imbalance, the person will talk slowly and monotonously.
5. The touch is called “Sparsha Pariksha.” The skin gives us information about body temperature and body vitality. Vata’s skin is cold and dry, Pitta’s and Kapha’s warm. We can determine the presence of lymph nodes and enlarged organs.
6. Examination of urine “Mutra Pariksha.” It tells us the condition of the kidneys.
7. Examination of “Mala Pariksha” feces. Color, smell, and consistency tell us a lot about the current state of the intestines. If a person is chronically constipated, it indicates Vata problems. A tendency for diarrhea and gas are problems of the Pitta dosha. Irregular discharges are Kapha dosha problems.

DOSHA VATA (Air, Ether)

The main elements of the Vata dosha are air and ether. Vata represents the principle of movement. She is responsible for blinking, muscle movement, breathing, heartbeat, blood flow, cell movement, and metabolism. When in balance, she is flexible and creative. Vata sleeps little, has intense “moving” dreams and light sleep, and wakes up several times at night. Although Vata is emotional, intuitive, and subtle, it often hides its emotions. She works with cardiac coherence (heart waves). These were healers, psychics, and telepaths two thousand and more years ago. When Vata is out of balance on a mental level, she becomes fearful, anxious, depressed, and anxious. Her seat is in the large intestine. Vata has a weak digestive fire – “Agni,” and the people have many defecation problems because they are dominated by air, which dries the body. Vata people are also subject to kidney diseases, which are its sub-dosha, and in old age, to arthritis and bone diseases.

DOSHA PITTA (Fire, Water)

The main elements of pitta dosha are fire and water. Pitta is the energy of metabolism, and transformation. It enables good digestion, absorption, assimilation, and body temperature. When balanced, Pitta is an understanding teacher, but at the same time, she is bossy because she is always right. Pitta is dominated by “logos” and loves science and numbers, corresponding to her intellectual charge. She has a fantastic memory and is a perfectionist.
In contrast to Vata, precisely because of her analytical mind. She finds it challenging to step on the spiritual path because she has to understand and experience everything down to the last detail. When she falls out of balance on a mental level, she is attacked by hatred, anger, jealousy, and impatience; she doesn’t know how to compromise because she knows everything and knows best. Her seat is in the small intestine, where food is absorbed. Pittas have perfect digestion and good digestive fire – “Agni” and rarely cause constipation. When she is out of balance, she is prone to diarrhea. She is susceptible to various inflammations, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis, increased acidity, and poor absorption of nutrients, and is also prone to headaches and migraines. She may also have problems with the liver, which is her sub-dosha. Also, all skin diseases are an imbalance of Pitta dosha on the physical level.

KAPHA DOSHA (Water, Earth)

The main elements of the Kapha dosha are water and earth. The Kapha principle represents the energy of structure and lubricity. It enables joint mobility and skin moisture and strongly affects the immune system. Her constitution is abundant and massive, as she likes to eat well. She does not like effort, sleeps a lot, and movement is not in her nature. She’d instead rest. She is full of love, compassion, forgiveness, and peace when in balance. When she is out of balance on a mental level, she is greedy, possessive, and attached to material goods. Her seat is with the stomach – the solar plexus. When she falls out of balance, the respiratory organs are affected. She is subject to pneumonia, angina, flu, and viruses. Since water is its main element, the lymphatic system is affected when she is out of balance, which leads to swelling of the hands, feet, and possibly vital organs.