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what is it?
The word ayurveda is Sanskrit for 'science of life'. This traditional medical system of the Indian subcontinent traces its roots to Hindu holy texts of about 4,500 years ago. These define good health and well-being as harmony of the body, mind and self (or soul). Disease is caused by disruption in the natural equilibrium within ourselves or with our environment. In restoring health, attention is paid first to re-balancing the physical body through detoxification and diet, then expanding harmony to the mind and spirit.
According to ayurveda, the five universal elements — space (ether), air, fire, water and earth — combine into three basic energies, the tridoshas, that are in constant flux. These are present in varying degrees in each of us and control our bodily functions. Their daily fluctuations are influenced by food, the time of day, season, stress and emotions.
If the tridoshas are imbalanced, with too much of one and not enough of another, the flow of prana ('life energy') is affected. This impedes agni, the 'metabolic fire' of the body that attacks harmful bacteria and other toxins (ama), and protects the digestive system.
Every one of us is born with a unique combination of these energies, known as prakriti, that governs our physical constitution, intellect and personality. One dosha tends to dominate, but often people have features of two or even all three.
The three doshas — vata, pitta and kapha — have distinctive characteristics.
Vata people are short, creative, quick and nervous in movements, and wasteful of energy. They should avoid pungent, bitter foods that increase the negative attributes of vata and eat sweet, sour, salty, most warming foods like casseroles to calm its excess.
Pitta is constituted of fire and water. Pitta people tend to be evenly proportioned, of average height, confident, ambitious and competitive. They should avoid red meat and sour, salty pungent foods that increase pitta, and eat more sweet, astringent, bitter foods like salads, chicken and fish.
Kapha is made up of water and earth. Kapha types are inclined to be heavily built, slow moving and physically strong, stable, patient but possessive. Sweet, sour, salty foods increase kapha. People of this type should avoid dairy foods and eat more hot and spicy foods, apples, pears, leaf vegetables, beans and lentils.
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what it's supposed to do
Ayurveda is a medical system in its own right and would claim to treat any condition. It is said to benefit digestive problems, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, eczema and other skin conditions, anxiety, insomnia, viral infections and wound healing.
what happens
The initial consultation can take up to an hour. The ayurvedic doctor assesses your doshic constitution by taking your pulse at three points on the wrist. Expect extensive questions about your personal and family medical history and lifestyle, including diet, sleeping patterns, bowel habits and relationships. Your tongue will be examined and you may have to provide a urine sample.
Like traditional Chinese medicine, treatment is aimed at the whole person rather than concentrating on specific symptoms. Diet is an important means of restoring balance and particular foods, preparation methods and eating times will be suggested. Herbal and mineral supplements, massage and steam baths may be advised. Ayurvedic massage is often performed by two masseurs simultaneously, using herbal oils to encourage the flow of prana by stimulating marma points on the body.
Minor ailments often require only two or three consultations, but chronic conditions may need weekly treatments over several months.
In certain cases, the doctor may suggest panchakarma. This rigorous physical and mental detoxification programme should only be performed by qualified practitioners and involves enemas, laxatives, therapeutic vomiting and washing out the nasal passages, followed by a rejuvenation regime of yoga, meditation, massage, chanting and sunbathing. In India it takes three weeks, but abbreviated versions of as little as three or five days are available in the West. A popular feature is shirodhara, a relaxation technique in which a stream of sesame oil is poured over the patient's forehead.
what's the evidence?
Considerable research has been carried out in India and Sri Lanka, but more rigorous studies acceptable to international medical journals need to be done. Ayurveda is currently on the research programme of the US National Institutes of Health's National Centre for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
precautions
Go to the safety first section of 'before you start' for some general precautions to take into account when considering a complementary therapy.
- Check any symptoms with a conventional doctor.
- Avoid enemas and other purgative treatments if you are pregnant, elderly or have heart disease. Young children should not have enemas.
how to find a practitioner
Although some practitioners are qualified to give dietary and lifestyle advice, only ayurvedic doctors should prescribe and monitor herbal remedies and detoxification regimes. Fully qualified ayurvedic physicians complete a five-year degree course at Indian or Sri Lankan universities, and hold the title BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery) or DAMS (Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery)
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(July 2002)
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