Ayurveda, which literally means “the science or knowledge of life” is the traditional medical
system of India. Its origin dates back an estimated 5,000 years, it is widely considered to be the
oldest form of healthcare in the world and is often referred to as the “Mother of all healing”. The
knowledge of Ayurveda has its written origins in the Vedas, the sacred texts of India, believed to
be the oldest writings in the world.
Ayurveda is based on the premise that disease is the natural end result of living out of harmony
with our inner and outer environment and therefore Ayurveda’s approach to healing is to
reestablish harmony between self and environment. When the body and mind are in harmony,
normal physiology is restored and healing takes place.
Ayurveda understands each person and the disease the person is manifesting as a unique
entity. It could be said that no two people are alike, and two diseases are alike. Ayurvedic
medicine looks for a treatment that will cure an individual person of their unique presentation of
the disease. Since no disease affects people in exactly the same way, no two cures are exactly
the same.
Ayurveda enables one to understand how to create balance of body, mind and consciousness
according to one’s individual constitution. Just as everyone has a unique fingerprint, each
person has a particular pattern of energy – an individual combination of physical, mental and
emotional characteristics – which comprises their own constitution. Balance is the natural order;
imbalance is disorder. Health is order; disease is disorder. When one understands the nature
and structure of disorder, one can re-establish order.
Ayurveda is experiencing a major resurgence today, especially with the unprecedented rise of
chronic disease, and the growing consciousness that many of these “diseases of excess” are
preventable, as well as treatable through diet and lifestyle changes. Ayurveda incorporates
herbal formulas, daily and seasonal routines along with cleansing regimens to balance mind,
body and spirit.
Ayurveda can have positive effects when used as a complementary therapy in combination with
standard, conventional medical care.
