Читать книгу The Healing Remedies Sourcebook: Over 1,000 Natural Remedies to Prevent and Cure Common Ailments - C. Shealy Norman - Страница 10
ОглавлениеAYURVEDA IS A HOLISTIC SYSTEM OF medicine, meaning that our mind, body, and spirit are all taken into consideration in the diagnosis and treatment of illness. In the West we have long believed that each of us has the same anatomy, physiology, and disease process, but it has become increasingly clear that this approach does not take into account our very prominent differences—including our mental attitudes, our lifestyles, and our fundamental energy or spirit. Ayurveda is based on the philosophy that we are all unique, so it addresses each of these things in its treatment of people as individuals, and teaches that all illnesses affect the body and the mind, in isolation from each other.
WHAT IS AYURVEDA?
Ayurvedic medicine is the traditional system of medicine practiced in India and Sri Lanka. Like traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda is a complete system of healthcare, designed to contribute to a way of life, rather than an occasional treatment.
The word “Ayurveda” means “science” or “wisdom” of life, and it embraces elements as diverse as medicine, philosophy, science, spirituality, astrology, and astronomy. Although Ayurveda has been practiced for over 3,000 years, it is a sophisticated and advanced system of living that is as relevant today as it was so many years ago. In fact, as we begin to realize the limitations of our conventional Western approach, it becomes clear that Ayurveda can offer much to treat and prevent many modern diseases that conventional medicine has been unable to treat. Some of these include ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), stress-related disorders, arthritis, impotence, asthma, eczema, and chronic illness. It offers natural herbal remedies to counter imbalances in the body, and detoxification, diet, exercise, meditation, spiritual guidance, and wide-ranging techniques to improve mental and emotional health.
PRANA - THE ENERGY OF LIFE
The fundamental belief in Ayurveda is that everything within the universe is composed of energy, or “prana.” Like everything else, we too are comprised of energy, which changes according to our circumstances, our environment, our diets and lifestyles, and the world around us. Some of these changes can be positive, and others negative, and in order to ensure that most of the changes are positive, we must live in a way that encourages energy balance. Energy controls the functions of every cell, thought, emotion, and action, so every aspect of our lives, including the food we eat and the thoughts we think, affects the quality of our energy, and consequently our health.
A HISTORY OF AYURVEDA
Over 3,000 years ago, 52 great Rishis, or seers, of ancient India discovered through meditation the “Veda,” or the knowledge of how our world and everything within it works. Contained within the knowledge of the Veda were the secrets of sickness and health. These secrets were organized into a system called Ayurveda, the sophistication of which is apparent in the most famous of all ancient Ayurvedic texts, the Charaka Samhita. The knowledge of the Rishis had three main components: etiology (the science of the cause of illness and disease), symptomatology (the study of symptoms), and finally medication (the process of treating individuals to cure disease or relieve pain).
The beliefs were founded on Hindu philosophy, and were expanded and enhanced by the teachings of the Lord Buddha (d. 483 B.C.E.), who taught that the mind could be enriched through correct thinking. Today Buddhism is one of the fastest-growing belief systems in the West. The eightfold path of Buddhism encompasses:
right understanding
right concentration
right livelihood
right mindfulness
right action
right thought
right effort
right speaking
Another important Ayurvedic text, the Sushruta Samhita, offers guidance on surgery, surgical equipment, suturing, and the importance of hygiene during and after an operation. Detailed medical information is teamed with commonsense advice on how to live a healthy and meaningful life.
The Texts
Throughout much of their history, the Indians came into contact with the Persians, Greeks, and Chinese, with whom they exchanged information. About 900 B.C.E. the Ayurveda, written in India, combined descriptions of disease with information on herbs and “magic.” The first great known Hindu physician, Charaka, practiced about 1000 B.C.E. Sushruta, in the 5th century c.e., noted the relationship of malaria to mosquitoes, and of plague to rats, knew of more than 700 medicinal plants, and described more than 100 surgical instruments. He treated fractures, removed tumors and kidney stones, and delivered babies by Cesarean section.
In Vedic philosophy our lives become meaningful when we strive to fulfill our potential, but that cannot be achieved without basic good health.
CAUSES OF DISEASE
Ayurvedic practitioners believe that disease may be triggered by many external causes, including planetary influences, acts of god, fire and accidents, harmful gases (which we would today call pollution), poisons and toxins, and evil spirits. As well as this, there are two other main causes of illness, an imbalance of the “tri-doshas” (vátha, pitta, and kapha, see here) and mental imbalance.
The purpose of Ayurveda is to enable people to avoid serious illness by understanding how we become ill. For the most part, it works on a preventive basis, but when we do become ill it offers a wide range of treatments to help the body heal itself. Every Ayurvedic remedy is free of side-effects, is made from natural substances, and is nontoxic. In order to benefit from Ayurveda, it is not necessary to understand or believe in the complex spirituality that goes hand-in-hand with the system. All that is necessary is an open mind and a desire to be healed.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Our constitutions are very important in Ayurveda, and each of us is individual, according to our specific energies. We inherit many aspects of our constitution, and we can live a healthy and happy life if we strive to attain a good quality of spirit (with no envy, hatred, anger, or ego), and maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Your constitution is determined by the state of your parents’ doshas at the time of your conception, and each individual is born in the “prakruthi” state, which means that you are born with levels of the three doshas that are right for you. But, as we go through life, diet, environment, stress, trauma, and injury cause the doshas to become imbalanced, a state known as the “vikruthi” state. When levels of imbalance are excessively high or low it can lead to ill health. Ayurvedic practitioners work to restore individuals to their “prakruthi” state.
THE FIVE ELEMENTS
The universe consists of five elements, Ether (space), Air, Earth, Fire, and Water. Our bodies consist of a combination of these elements.
All five elements exist in all things, including ourselves.
ETHER corresponds to the spaces in the body: the mouth, nostrils, thorax, abdomen, respiratory tract, and cells.
AIR is the element of movement so it represents muscular movement, pulsation, expansion and contraction of the lungs and intestines—even the movement in every cell.
FIRE controls enzyme functioning. It shows itself as intelligence, fuels the digestive system, and regulates metabolism.
WATER is in plasma, blood, saliva, digestive juices, mucous membranes, and cytoplasm—the liquid inside cells.
EARTH manifests in the solid structures of the body: the bones, nails, teeth, muscles, cartilage, tendons, skin, and hair.
The five elements also relate to our senses:
Sound is transmitted through Ether;
Air is related to touch;
Fire is related to sight;
Water is related to taste; and
Earth is connected to smell.
Ayurveda teaches that all organic matter is formed from the Earth element, which “gave birth” to other matter. All five elements may be present in all matter: Water, when it is frozen, becomes solid like Earth; Fire melts it back to Water; Fire can turn Water to steam, which is dispersed within the Air and the Ether.
THE THREE DOSHAS
There are three further bio-energies, called doshas, which exist in everything in the universe, and which are composed of different combinations of the five elements. The three doshas affect all body functions, on both a mental and a physical level. Good health is achieved when all three doshas work in balance. Each one has its role to play in the body.
VÁTHA is the driving force; it relates mainly to the nervous system and the body’s energy.
PITTA is Fire; it relates to the metabolism, digestion, enzymes, acid, and bile.
KAPHA is related to Water in the mucous membranes, phlegm, moisture, fat, and lymphatics.
The balance of the three doshas depends on a variety of factors, principally correct diet and exercise, maintaining good digestion, healthy elimination of body wastes, and ensuring balanced emotional and spiritual health.
We will be made up of a combination of two or all three types of dosha, although we may tend to be predominantly one. Some sub-groups include vátha-pitta, vátha-kapha, or pitta-kapha.
THE FUNDAMENTAL QUALITIES
The principle of qualities in Ayurveda is similar to the Chinese concept of yin and yang, in that every quality has its opposite, and good health depends on finding a balance between the two extremes of qualities such as slow and fast, wet and dry, cloudy and clear. For example, hot and cold exist together as a pair of qualities, and everything in between is composed of levels of heat and cold. Heat relates to pitta, an imbalance of which can cause problems such as fevers, heartburn, or emotional disturbances, such as anger or jealousy. If you have an excess of pitta, you need to reduce your heat quality by eating fewer pitta foods, such as onions, garlic, and beef, and introduce more “cooling” foods, such as eggs, cheese, and lentils.
AGNI AND DIGESTION
In Ayurveda, good digestion is the key to good health. Poor digestion produces “ama,” a toxic substance that is believed to be the cause of illness. Ama is seen in the body as a white coating on the tongue, but it can also line the colon and clog blood vessels. Ama occurs when the metabolism is impaired as a result of an imbalance of “agni.” Agni is the Fire which, when it is working effectively, maintains normality in all the functions of the body. Uneven agni is caused by imbalances in the doshas, and such factors as eating and drinking too much of the wrong foods, smoking, and repressing emotions.
MALAS
Malas represent the effective elimination of waste products and there are three main types: Sharkrit or pureesha (feces); Mootra (urine); Sweda (sweat). Ama is a fourth type of waste, which cannot be eliminated, and an accumulation of which causes disease.
THE SEVEN TISSUES
Imbalance in the doshas also causes imbalance in the seven body tissues, or “dhatus.” These are: plasma (rasa), blood (raktha), muscle (mamsa), fat (madas), bone (asthi), marrow and nerves (majja), and reproductive tissues (shukra). The dhatus support and derive energy from each other, so when one is affected the others also suffer.
AYUVEDIC TREATMENT
SHODANA
In Ayurvedic medicine, it is essential to detoxify the body before prescribing restorative treatment. Shodana is used to eliminate disease, blockages in the digestive system, or any causes of imbalance in the doshas. Where shodana is required the practitioner can use “panchakarma” therapy, and sometimes a preparatory therapy called “purwakarma.” Purwakarma breaks down into two types of preparatory treatment, known as “snehana” and “swedana”:
Snehana involves massaging herbal oils into the skin to encourage elimination of toxins. Blended oils are used to treat specific disorders, such as stress, anxiety, insomnia, arthritis, or circulation problems. Oils can also be massaged into the scalp for depression, insomnia, and memory problems. Snehana can sometimes involve lying in an oil bath, which is thought to be even more effective at allowing you to absorb the properties from herbal oils.
Swedana means sweating. It is sometimes used in conjunction with the oil treatment, but on a separate day. Steam baths are used to encourage the elimination of toxins through the pores, and, together with the oil treatments, they make the detoxification process much more effective.
PANCHAKARMA
This is a profound detoxification. It is traditionally a fivefold therapy, but all five aspects are used only in very rare cases. You may need only two or three of the following treatments:
Nirhua vasti (oil enema therapy). The oil is passed through a tube to the rectum, using gravity, rather than pressure, so that it does not cause damage. Oil enemas are often used to eliminate vátha- or pitta-oriented problems, such as in the treatment of constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, indigestion, and fungal infections.
Ánuvasana vasti (herbal enema). The practitioner makes a herbal decoction and passes it through the tube. The selection of a herbal enema rather than an oil one depends on the patients problem and the contraindications.
Vireka (herbal laxative therapy). Vireka is used as a normal part of any detoxification therapy, and is also used to treat pitta-oriented disease, such as gastrointestinal problems, and vátha problems, such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. It also helps with inflammatory skin complaints, fluid retention, liver problems, and energy problems.
Vamana (therapeutic vomiting). This is a traditional treatment for respiratory and catarrhal problems such as bronchitis, sinusitis, and asthma, but it is rarely used today.
Nasya (herbal inhalation therapy). This treatment involves inhaling the vapor from medicinal herbs infused in boiling water. It is used mostly to eliminate kapha-oriented problems, ear, eyes, nose and throat disorders, headaches, migraine, neuralgia, sinusitis, catarrh, and bronchitis.
SAMANA
After the detoxification process, the practitioner may prescribe herbal or mineral remedies to correct imbalances in the doshas. These are to stimulate agni and restore balance in the doshas. They are not prescribed to eradicate disease, because the disease is just a symptom of doshic imbalance. Herbal remedies are usually prescribed in liquid form or as dried herbs, although they can also come in powder or tablet form.
Prescriptions are usually made up of groups of herbs, to which you add eight cups of water and boil until the liquid is reduced to one cup. You may have to take the remedy two or three times a day.
Your practitioner will also advise on lifestyle, food, and exercise. There is no single healthy diet in Ayurveda—just a diet that is best for you. It is important to eat to suit your constitution, and the practitioner may prepare a diet sheet for you to use.
PLANT POWER
In many cases the whole plant is used in an Ayurvedic treatment; in others, only part. All plants are associated with the following properties and effects:
THE THREE DOSHAS. Plants can be used to increase or decrease an influence as required.
SHAD RASA (the tastes). Every plant contains one or more of the six basic tastes, which are sweet, acidic, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent.
GUNAS (the properties). The gunas are distinctive characteristics that can be related to matter, thoughts, and ideas. There is a belief that everything in the universe is made up of complementary opposites. There are 20 gunas: hot and cold, hard and soft, oily and dry, light and heavy, dull and sharp, subtle and gross, slimy and rough, unmoving and mobile, turbid and transparent, solid and liquid. The properties of each guna are related to the doshas, and specific substances, which are characterized by specific gunas, can increase or decrease dosha influence throughout the body. The properties of each guna can affect the doshas.
Many herbs are used in Ayurvedic preparations, and are sold as essences, pills, powders, pastes, and potencized remedies. Often they are herbs that are known and used in the West, although they are used differently in Ayurvedic medicine.
It is usually safe to combine taking Ayurvedic herbal remedies and orthodox medicines. However, you should inform your Ayurvedic practitioner of any medication you are currently taking or have taken in the past.
OTHER USEFUL AYURVEDIC TREATMENTS INCLUDE:
Meditation
Breathing exercises
Marma puncture (rather like acupuncture; adjusting energy levels in the body by stimulating energy points in the body, which can stimulate some of its functions and maintain health)
Marma therapy, applying pressure or massage to marma points
Yoga
Unblocking chakras, which are centers of energy located along the midline of the body which distribute energy to the 107 marma points on the body
Rejuvenation therapy, or rasayana, which helps to promote and preserve health and longevity in the healthy, and to cure disease in the sick
Psychotherapy or counseling
VATHA is a combination of the elements Air and Ether, with Air being the most dominant. Its qualities are light, cold, dry, rough, subtle, mobile, clear, dispersing, erratic, and astringent. Vátha is the lightest of the three doshas, portrayed by the color blue. Predominantly vátha people are thin with dry, rough, or dark skin; large, crooked or protruding teeth; a small, thin mouth, and dull, dark eyes.
Characteristics:
Constipation
Frequent, sparse urination
Little perspiration
Poor long-term memory
Rapid speech
Anxiety and depression
High sex drive (or none at all)
Love of travel
Dislike of cold weather
PITTA is mostly Fire with some Water. Its qualities are light, hot, oily, sharp, liquid, sour, and pungent. Pitta is “medium” and portrayed by the color red. Pitta types seem to conform to a happy medium, and are of medium height and build, with soft, fair, freckled, or bright skin; soft, fair, light brown, or reddish hair that goes prematurely gray; small, yellowish teeth, and an average-sized mouth.
Characteristics:
Clear, sharp speech
Light, uninterrupted sleep
Intelligent
Clear memory
Jealous
Ambitious
Passionately sexual
Interested in politics
Dislikes heat
Loves luxury
Loose stools, diarrhea
Strong appetite
Great thirst
KAPHA is a combination of mostly Water and some Earth. Its qualities are heavy, cold, oily, slow, slimy, dense, soft, static, and sweet. Kapha is the heaviest of the doshas, and is portrayed by yellow. Kapha people tend to be large-framed and often overweight, with thick, pale, cool, and oily skin; thick, wavy and oily hair, either very dark or very light; strong white teeth, and a large mouth with full lips.
Characteristics:
Slow speech
Needs lots of sleep
Sluggish, steady appetite
Heavy sweating
Large, soft stools
Business-like
Good memory
Passive, almost lethargic
Dislikes cold and damp
Likes good food, familiar places
WHAT CAN AYURVEDA TREAT?
Allergies
Anxiety
Arthritis
Back pain
Bronchitis
Circulation problems
Colds
Digestive complaints
Dyslexia
Eczema
Headaches
High blood pressure
Insomnia
Irritability and emotional stress
Obesity
Skin problems
Water retention
Ayurveda will keep the immune system strong and capable of fighting off infection, and able to address chronic disorders
