Ayurveda is the ancient Indian system of natural and holistic medicine.
While allopathic medicine focuses on the management of diseases, Ayurveda bestows us with the knowledge to prevent diseases and to eliminate their cause.
The knowledge of Ayurveda was orally transferred through sages in India until it was collated into text more than 5000 years ago.
These texts detail the affect that the five elements (Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Space) have on the human body and expound the importance of keeping these elements balanced for a healthy and happy life.
According to Ayurveda, some people are influenced by certain elements more than others, because of their natural constitution. Ayurveda categorises the different constitutions into three different ‘Doshas,’ namely, ‘Vata Dosha (dominated by Air and Space), ‘Pitta Dosha’ (dominated by Fire) and ‘Kapha Dosha’ (dominated by Earth and Water).
The Dosha affects the shape of one’s body, bodily tendencies (such as food preferences and digestion) and temperament. For example, the Earth element in people with ‘Kapha Dosha’ would be evident in their solid, sturdy body type, tendency for slower digestion, strong memory and emotional steadiness.
By understanding the qualities of our natural constitution, we would be able to do the needful to keep ourselves in balance.
Pulse Diagnosis
According to Ayurveda, diseases are caused by an imbalance in our ‘Doshas.’ Bringing our system back to balance is the key to cure the diseases.
‘Nadi Pariksha’ or Pulse Diagnosis is a technique used by Ayurvedic practitioners to detect the imbalances in the body (by placing a finger on the wrist) and to prescribe effective treatment.
Treatments usually come in the form of ‘Panchakarma,’ a five-pronged body purification programmer or Herbal medicines.
Ayurveda supports health without disturbing the natural intelligence of the body, with no negative side effects.
Therefore, people around the world are now turning to the ancient Science of Ayurveda to regain and maintain optimal health.
Ayurveda can be used on its own or as a complement to allopathic treatment.
Hemant Parikh is a popular Programme Presenter and Sales and IT Executive at Radio Tarana based in Auckland. He is also a volunteer and promoter of the ‘Art of Living Foundation’ in New Zealand, whose ‘Om Ayurveda’ organised ‘Nadi Pariksha camps on August 11 and 12, 2012 at Papatoetoe and Mt Roskill. Dr Sumangala Purohit, a certified Ayurvedic doctor conducted the camps. The above article was based on the information that Mr Parikh obtained from the Art of Living Foundation.
