Ayurveda (the science of art of healthy living) is one of the branches of Vedas. It is regarded as upaveda (offshoot) of Atharva-veda. It is a stream of the knowledge passed on from generation to generation from teachers to their students and so on. This knowledge is in a continuous flow. From where it came is not sure, who started this chain, none can tell about it. Beside teachers and students, it is passing on from a father to his son and from a mother to her daughter. It is flowing since eternity parallel to the Vedic literature that is why its emergence has been said to be from the creator (Brahma) himself. It is called eternal because nobody knows when it was not there. All this shows its long tradition and deep attachment to the Indian culture.
Etymologically Ayurveda has two word- Ayu and Veda. Ayu means life and Veda stands for the knowledge. So strictly speaking Ayurveda is knowledge for life. Ayurvedic Medicine is based on the concept of the three doshas - Tridosha. Dosha commonly means 'force' or 'fault, something which can easily go out of balance, leading to a disorder in the body or mind. The concept of dosha is not unlike the traditional Western idea of three basic body types - ectomorph (lean and delicate), mesomorph (compact and muscular) and endomorph (stocky). Most of us are a combination of two or three types. The Ayurvedic tridosha are known as Vata (the lightest, portrayed by the colour blue), Pitta (medium, red) and Kapha (heaviest, yellow). Somebody with dominant Vata energy tends to be thin, restless and creative; the Pitta mostly conforms to a happy medium; Kapha people tend to be heavy, slow and lethargic.
Ayurveda teaches that everything in the world is made up of a combination of the three doshas, and that the doshas themselves combine two of the five elements; Vata is Ether and Air; Pitta is Fire and Water; Kapha is Water and Earth. Ayurveda is a science of life. It tells what is good and what is not for the healthy life. A science dealing with the details about the life, its endurance and eminence is Ayurveda. An eternal knowledge, aimed to cure the diseases of all creatures is Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a science which tells us how to use foods, herbs and other natural resources for maintenance of health. All natural things and their effect on body is where discussed that science is known as Ayurveda.
Where all ailments of body, psyche and consciousness are cured and made healthy is Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a complete knowledge about life, how to live life in a healthy way and to achieve harmony with the nature.PancharmaTreatment: Shiro Dhara : Popularly known as third eye treatment of lord Shiva, a therapeutic Marma head masage with herbal oils is done and herbal oil, medicated milk, buttermilk or herbal decoction is poured in gently and steadily over the forehead in a continuous stream using a special rhythmic swaying movement. This results in a fantastic sense of deep relaxation and inner peace.
Nasya : The nose is the doorway to the brain and is also the doorway to consciousness. The nasal administration of medication is called Nasya. An excess of bodily humors accumulated in the sinus, throat, nose or head areas is eliminated by means of the nearest possible opening - the nose. Abhyanga : Abhyangam is an Ayurveda way of oil massage with Marma therapy. Marma are vital points of the body which contain Prana energy. Gentle pressure on Marma while doing massage provides Prana energy to the body and mind which gives ultimate healing. Pizhichil or Sarvangdhara : In Pizhichil / Sarvangdhara, pieces of linen, dipped in comfortably warm medicated oils, are squeezed on to the body of the person, who lies on a specially made wooden plank. Pizhichil is an effective remedy for optimum relaxation
Shiro Vasthi : This is a procedure in which a belt is fastened around the head covering the portion of the forehead so a well like formation takes place over the head. This well is then filled with oil and kept for some time. This is also beneficial in diseases of the head especially in difficulties arising due to injuries to the head. Netra Tarpana : This treatment aims to provide optimum rejuvenation to eyes. Dough of Urad (black gram) is put around the eye ball in such a way that a dam like appearance is seen. Then herbal healing ghee (clarified butter oil) is put in this groove to lubricate eye and surrounding areas which will be kept warm for 30 – 35 minutes. This provides improved vision with beautiful eyes and strengthening of eye tissues. It also helps in under eye circles if done regularly for few days.
Khizi : Kizhi treatment is a therapy wherein heated herbs and medicinal oils are tied in cloth bags; and placed on the area to be treated. This is followed by specific massages, done using the fingers, heel of the hand or palm. The pressure application varies according to the nature of ailment and the spot. Udvarthanam : The whole body is gently massaged with medicated powders prepared with various herbs. This helps to reduce fat patches from the body known as cellulites, toning of the muscles, improves blood circulation and eases joint pains. Regular Udvartanam is good for not only cellulites but it helps to lose weight by increasing the basal metabolic rate.
Vashpa swedanam (Medicated steam bath) : This is a unique treatment and under this treatment leaves of medicinal plants are boiled and resulting steam is passed to the whole body. This treatment is helpful in to eliminate impurities from the body, reducing fat and also helpful in fighting with some skin diseases. This is also indicated as PURVAKARMA for Panchakarma procedures. Urobasthi (Hridyabasti) :Warm medicated oil is kept over the chest for 45 minutes. This is an effective treatment for asthma, other respiratory problems, and muscular chest pain. Basti : Ayurvedic Basti involves the introduction into the rectum of herbal concoctions of sesame oil, and certain herbal preparations in a liquid medium. Basti, is the most effective treatment of Vata disorders, although many enemas over a prescribed period of time are usually required. It relieves constipation, distention, chronic fever, cold, sexual disorders, kidney stones, heart pain, backache, sciatica and other pains in the joints.