Kerala Ayurvedam
Ayurveda is a holistic healing science, which comprises of two words, 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 is a science dealing not only with treatment of some diseases but is a complete way of life. Ayurveda draws its concepts and practices from Vedas. It is a five thousand years of wisdom distilled into a system of practice.
Ayurveda aims at making a happy, healthy and peaceful society.
Ayurveda is much more than the well being of the body. Ayurveda defines health as 'Purity' of the body, mind and soul. It leads not merely to the well being of the individual; it leads to the well being of the universe. It restores harmony and existence.
This system of science, stress on the prevention of body ailments in addition to curing them. This tradition of natural healing system has been a part of culture and daily life in India. It is the most natural way to refresh your self, eliminate all toxic imbalances from the body, and regain resistance and good health.
A Person is seen in Ayurveda as a unique individual made up of five primary elements.
These elements are ether (space), air, fire, water and earth. Just as in nature, we too have these five elements in us. When any of these elements are imbalance in the environment, they will in turn have an influence on us. The foods we eat and the weather are just two examples of the influence of these elements.
The elements combine with Ether and Air in dominance to form what is known in Ayurveda as Vata Dosha. Vata governs the principle of movement and therefore can be seen as the force, which directs nerve impulses, circulation, respiration and elimination etc. The elements with Fire and Water in dominance combine to form the Pitta Dosha. The Pitta Dosha is responsible for the process of transformation or metabolism. The transformation of foods into nutrients that our bodies can assimilate is an example of a Pitta function.
Finally, it is predominantly the water and earth elements, which combine to form the Kapha Dosha. Kapha is responsible for growth, adding structure unit by unit.
All Five elements, as expressed through Vata, Pitta and Kapha, are essential to life, working together to create health or produce disease. No one dosha can produce or sustain life - all three must work together, each in its own way.
These doshas are responsible for the whole physiology of the body. When the three Doshas are well harmonized and function in a balanced manner, it results in good nourishment and well being of the individual. But when there is imbalance or disharmony within or between them, it will result in various kinds of ailments.
The Ayurvedic concept of physical health revolves round these three Doshas and its primary purpose is to help maintain them in a balanced state and thus to prevent disease.
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