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Ayurveda
is
considered by many scholars to be the oldest healing
science. It is the "The Science of Life". Ayurvedic
knowledge originated in India more than 5,000 years ago.
It stems from the ancient Vedic culture and was taught for
many thousands of years in an oral tradition from
accomplished masters to their disciples. Some of this
knowledge was set to print a few thousand years ago, but
much of it is lost. The principles of many natural healing
systems now familiar in the West have their roots in
Ayurveda. Ayurveda was the first medicinal science that
started treating both body and soul of the ill people. It
advises ways to achieve complete happiness by recommending
the ideal way of living.
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Etymologically, the word
Ayurveda is made up of two basic terms - Ayu and Veda. Ayu
means life and Veda means knowledge or science. So the
literal meaning of the word Ayurveda is the
science of life.
Ayurveda stresses the prevention of disease and advocates
the use of healing herbs. Knowledge of this science helps
to achieve and maintain the balanced health through a
suitable diet, lifestyle and the use of body, mind and
consciousness
according to the individual constitution (prakriti). Life
according to Ayurveda is a combination of senses, mind,
body and soul. From this definition is clear that Ayurveda
is not limited to body or physical symptoms. It gives a
comprehensive knowledge about spiritual, mental and
social health laying the path to a complete way of fit and
healthy life.
Ayurveda is an ancient
Indian medical science. It is a natural health care
system, so called the "mother of healing". It teaches how
to achieve optimal physical, mental, and emotional health
by living in harmony with nature. It is a complete science
laying guidelines not only for the ill but for the healthy
too. Ayurveda is thus both preventive and curative
medicinal science. It deals with a wide variety of fields
like common medicine, gynecology, pediatrics, surgery,
anatomy, E.N.T., dentistry, herbal drugs, ayurvedic
dieting and nutrition and rejuvenation medicine. Unlike
modern western medicine which focuses on treating the
symptoms of an illness, Ayurveda concentrates on the
source of the disease using natural treatments to
eliminate the root cause and promote the patient's
immunity.
Ayurveda explains the
individual's "biological make-up" and treats the person
according to it. According to Ayurveda the life must be
supported by balanced energy. When the negative reaction
to stress is minimal and the flow of energy within a
person is balanced, the body's natural defense systems
will be strong and can more easily defend against
diseases. Ayurveda
uses healing herbs and minerals in the refined form to
treat the illnesses. Due to this the medication has no
side-effects and is completely safe if taken as directed
by Ayurveda physicians. Many people believe that it is the
oldest and most developed science of natural healing
systems in the world. |
