Diagnosis is often taken over a course of days in order for the Ayurvedic physician to most accurately determine what parts of the body are being affected. To diagnose problems, Ayurvedic physicians often use long questionnaires and interviews to determine a person's dosha patterns and physical and psychological histories. Ayurvedic physicians also intricately observe the pulse, tongue, face, lips, eyes, and fingernails for abnormalities or patterns that they believe can indicate deeper problems in the internal systems. Some Ayurvedic physicians also use laboratory tests to assist in diagnosis.

Ayurvedic treatment seeks to re-establish balance and harmony in the body's systems. Usually the first method of treatment involves some sort of detoxification and cleansing of the body, in the belief that accumulated toxins must be removed before any other methods of treatment will be effective. Methods of detoxification include therapeutic vomiting, laxatives, medicated enemas , fasting, and cleansing of the sinuses.

Many Ayurvedic clinics combine all of these cleansing methods into intensive sessions known as panchakarma.

Panchakarma can take several days or even weeks and they are more than elimination therapies. They also include herbalized oil massage and herbalized heat treatments. After purification, Ayurvedic physicians use herbal and mineral remedies to balance the body as well. Ayurvedic medicine contains a vast knowledge of the use of herbs for specific health problems. Ayurvedic medicine also emphasizes how people live their lives from day to day, believing that proper lifestyles and routines accentuate balance, rest, diet, and prevention.

Ayurveda recommends yoga as a form of exercise to build strength and health, and also advises massage therapy and self-massage as ways of increasing circulation and reducing stress. Yogic breathing techniques and meditation are also part of a healthy Ayurvedic regimen, to reduce stress and improve mental energy.

Of all treatments, though, diet is one of the most basic and widely used therapy in the Ayurvedic system.

An Ayurvedic diet can be a very well planned and individualized regimen. According to Ayurveda, there are six basic tastes: Certain tastes and foods can either calm or aggravate a particular dosha. For instance, sweet, sour, and salty decrease vata problems and increase kapha. Sour, salty, and pungent can increase pitta. After an Ayurvedic physician determines a person's dosha profile, they will recommend a specific diet to correct imbalances and increase health. The Ayurvedic diet emphasizes primarily vegetarian foods of high quality and freshness, tailored to the season and time of day.

Cooling foods are eaten in the summer and heating ones in the winter, always within a person's dosha requirements. In daily routine, the heaviest meal of the day should be lunch, and dinner should eaten well before bedtime, to allow for complete digestion.

Ayurvedic medicine

Also, eating meals in a calm manner with proper chewing and state of mind is important, as is combining foods properly and avoiding overeating. Some clinics offer panchakarma, the intensive Ayurvedic detoxification treatment, which can include overnight stays for up to several weeks.

The prices for these programs can vary significantly, depending on the services and length of stay. Insurance reimbursement may depend on whether the primary physician is a licensed M. Those people considering Ayurveda should approach it with an open mind and willingness to experiment. Also, because Ayurveda is a whole-body system of healing and health, patience and discipline are helpful, as some conditions and diseases are believed to be brought on by years of bad health habits and require time and effort to correct.

Ayurvedic medicine | definition of Ayurvedic medicine by Medical dictionary

Finally, the Ayurvedic philosophy believes that each person has the ability to heal themselves, so those considering Ayurveda should be prepared to bring responsibility and participation into the treatment. During Ayurvedic detoxification programs, some people report fatigue, muscle soreness, and general sickness.

Also, as Ayurveda seeks to release mental stresses and psychological problems from the patient, some people can experience mental disturbances and depression during treatment, and psychological counseling may be part of a sound program. Because Ayurveda had been outside the Western scientific system for years, research in the United States is new. Another difficulty in documentation arises because Ayurvedic treatment is very individualized; two people with the same disease but different dosha patterns might be treated differently.

Much more scientific research has been conducted over the past several decades in India. Much research in the United States is being supported by the Maharishi Ayur-Ved organization, which studies the Ayurvedic products it sells and its clinical practices. Some Ayurvedic herbal mixtures have been proven to have high antioxidant properties, much stronger than vitamins A, C, and E, and some have also been shown in laboratory tests to reduce or eliminate tumors in mice and to inhibit cancer growth in human lung tumor cells.

In a study at MIT, an Ayurvedic herbal remedy was shown to significantly reduce colon cancer in rats. Another study was performed in the Netherlands with Maharishi Ayur-Ved products. A group of patients with chronic illnesses, including asthma, chronic bronchitis, hypertension, eczema, psoriasis , constipation, rheumatoid arthritis , headaches, and non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus , were given Ayurvedic treatment.

Other studies have shown that Ayurvedic therapies can significantly lower cholesterol and blood pressure in stress-related problems. Diabetes, acne, and allergies have also been successfully treated with Ayurvedic remedies.

Ayurvedic Medicine

Ayurvedic products have been shown to increase short-term memory and reduce headaches. Also, Ayurvedic remedies have been used successfully to support the healing process of patients undergoing chemotherapy, as these remedies have been demonstrated to increase immune system activity. Three Rivers Press, American Institute of Vedic Studies. Box , Santa Fe, NM Bayville, Long Island, NY. Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Medical Clinic. Bastyr University of Natural Health Sciences.


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Box , La Jolla, CA National Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine. Rocky Mountain Institute of Yoga and Ayurveda. Box , Boulder, CO Box , Quincy, CA Such practices may be described as alternative , that is, existing as a body separate from and as a replacement for conventional Western medicine, or complementary, that is, used in addition to conventional Western practice.

CAM is characterized by its focus on the whole person as a unique individual, on the energy of the body and its influence on health and disease, on the healing power of nature and the mobilization of the body's own resources to heal itself, and on the treatment of the underlying causes, rather than symptoms, of disease. Many of the techniques used are the subject of controversy and have not been validated by controlled studies.

See also emergency and emergency care. Called also legal medicine. A holistic approach to health care that is based on principles of Ayurveda and is designed to maintain or improve health through the use of dietary modification, massage, yoga, herbal preparations, and other measures. A system of alternative medicine that uses herbs, aromatherapy, music therapy, massage, yoga, and other measures; places equal emphasis on mind, body, and spirit.

Ayurvedic medicine - ancient science of natural medicine which promotes health of mind and body. Disease results from disharmony between the person and the environment, and each case of disease is a manifestation of a unique state in a unique individual, therefore requiring a unique cure. The practitioner attempts to maintain or restore the balance of the doshas , with therapies including diet; herbal, color, and sound therapies; aromatherapy ; application of medicated oils to the skin and massage; and meditation. The ancient Hindu science of health and medicine, based on maintaining balance among the five elements earth, air, fire, water, and ether.

It includes special types of diets, herbs, minerals, and changes based on a system of constitutional categories in lifestyle. Enemas and purgation are used to cleanse the body of excess toxins. Ayurveda emphasizes lifestyle analysis and change as the most significant aspects of the healing process. Ayurveda is a system of wholistic medicine from India that aims to bring the individual into harmony with nature. It provides guidance regarding food and lifestyle, so that healthy people can stay healthy and people with health challenges can improve their health.

Corns and Calluses , Polarity Therapy. Ayurvedic medicine - ancient science of natural medicine which promotes health of mind and body. References in periodicals archive?

What Is The Meaning Of Ayurvedic Medicine?

Ayurvedic Infusions were each crafted to provide relief, balance and healing. What makes these Ayurvedic herbs safe is the absence of substances that may cause gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers and abdominal pain.