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Not only are the concepts of prana and its healing aspects the oldest in the world, the ancient Indian Ayurvedic medicine, developed during the same time frame, is certainly is at least 4,000 to 5,000 years old. This medical system includes virtually everything that we today consider Energy Medicine, except for many of the electrical devices that have been introduced in the past half century. (These will be discussed in later chapters). Ayurveda means the science of life or longevity and is grounded in the metaphysics of Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether, which it considers the elements of the universe. Chyle or plasma, blood, flesh, fat, bone marrow, semen, and female reproductive tissue are considered the seven primary constituent elements of the human body.

Ayurveda emphasizes balance and moderation in food, sleep, sexual intercourse, and medicine. It involves a concept of three elemental energy systems:

• Vata: air and space or wind

• Pitta: fire and water or bile

• Kapha: water and earth or phlegm

These three regulatory principles, or doshas, are also physiological concepts. This seems to me to be similar to George Watson’s concept of slow, fast, and suboxidixer. (George Watson, Nutrition and the Mind). Fast oxidizer people burn more energy (food) than slow oxidizers, who tend to gain weight easily! Suboxidizers are somewhat in between the fast and slow oxidizers. Kapha is a slow oxidizer. Pitta would be the fast oxidizer and Vata would be a suboxidizer.

Ayurvedic philosophy prescribes different types of food for each of the doshas, as does George Watson. Basically, slow oxidizers use more carbohydrate and fast ones use more protein. Ayurveda also emphasizes physical exercise, yoga, meditation, and massage, as well as surgery and a tremendous variety of herbs. An extremely important part of Ayurvedic medicine is panchakarama, which is essentially a complex technique for detoxification.

Over the centuries, Ayurveda has developed into eight specialties or disciplines:

• Internal Medicine

• Pediatrics

• Surgery

• Eyes, ears, nose, and throat

• Demonic Possession—some people consider this psychiatry

• Toxicology

• Preventive disease and improving immunity, as well as rejuvenation

• Aphrodisiacs and improving the reproductive system for optimal performance

The Ayurvedic physician uses a ten-fold examination of the patient, including constitution abnormalities, essence, stability, body measurement, diet, suitability, psychic strength, digestive capacity, physical fitness, and age. Traditionally, instead of using a stethoscope, they use the human ear to observe abnormalities of breathing or speech.

Long before the western world paid any attention to hygiene, Ayurvedic medicine prescribed regular bathing, cleansing of teeth, skin, and washing of the hair, as well as anointing the body with essential oils. Surgery in Ayurveda included ligating blood vessels, cauterization by heat, and using various animal or herbal preparations to facilitate clotting.

Some 3,500 years ago, interestingly about the time considered to be the origin of acupuncture in China, the fundamental principles of Ayurveda were organized and written. Even in those early days, Ayurveda included treatment of angina pectoris, diabetes, high blood pressure, and gall stones. The earliest surviving written material actually dates to the fourth century. In A.D. 400, the entire Ayurvedic system was far more complex than anything in the western world. There are several levels of traditional Ayurvedic medicine, some more specialized than others.

A number of scientific proofs have been done of some of the ancient Ayurvedic remedies, including particularly turmeric, from which is derived curcumin, a powerful antioxidant. There is some evidence that one form of Spanish sage improves word recall in young adults and common sage has been used to improve symptoms in Alzheimer’s. Cinnamon was also used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes. It is well known that cinnamon is helpful and one of the best sources of chromium. The plant, arjuna, appears to be helpful in angina pectoris and coronary artery disease and may even be useful in lowering cholesterol.