Science of everyday living

Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, the words ayus, means “longevity”, and veda, means “related to knowledge” or “science”.The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India. Over the centuries, ayurvedic practitioners have developed a number of medicinal preparations and surgical procedures for the treatment of various ailments. Practitioners contend that Ayurveda is as relevant in modern times as it was earlier when it all began.“Ayurveda offers all answers for holistic and healthy living. It’s not that other streams don’t work, but as a doctor, if I have to advocate health, I would recommend Ayurveda,” says Dr Prashanth S Acharya, cofounder of ARTH (Ayurvedic Health Center Trust).Ask him about the relevance of Ayurveda in today’s times and he offers an interesting comparison.“A car that we see today, has come a long way from the first model and has incorporated several changes. However, its basic design is the same. Similarly, Ayurveda remains the same intrinsically, though its forms may have changed.A person’s health is the focus of our treatment; to relieve the doshas (constituents) rather than a particular disease. People are conceptualising treatment but the fact is that barring surgical processes, Ayurveda can treat almost any disease according to the basic constituents of a person so as to bring about equilibrium,” states Dr Acharya.Perhaps this is the strongest fact about Ayurveda – that it is a truth of science, which has answers to all lifestyle-related disorders.From telling you when to brush your teeth to which perfumes work best in a particular season, Ayurveda deals with the science of everyday living. Says Dr Acharya, “There was a time when incidence of infections like smallpox was high.Antibiotics were widely used to treat patients and they became popular.However, today lifestylerelated disorders are on the rise, not infections.Besides, every system has its advantages and disadvantages. Understanding one system and complementing the differences in it from other streams of medicine, is the way forward.”Ayurveda deals with correcting lifestyle disorders, forging positive thinking and creating equilibrium between one’s senses and bodily functions.“We can treat practically every disease, though limitations may arise in the forms of medicine and the time of treatment which depends on the depth and duration of an ailment. The other unique aspect is that Ayurveda is the only stream of medicine that detoxifies the body – using panchakarma therapy. Sometimes, you don’t need medicines, a cleansing will do just fine,” Dr Acharya explains.With fitness taking precedence nowadays, awareness about a holistic approach to life has also grown.“Modern medicine has specialised to such an extent that superspecialisation is quite the norm. But Ayurveda believes that a disease is psychosomatic, involving both physical and mental abilities,” says Dr Acharya.“Today, health encompasses physical, mental, social and spiritual wellbeing.Ayurveda grew in India as a holistic science because of strong support systems and the culture of ensuring overall well-being,” he further adds.Despite the argument leaning in favour of Ayurveda, many people don’t seem too keen to follow its principles. While some find it tedious, others discontinue treatment citing diet restrictions. However, Dr Acharya is quick to allay doubts.“People are living life on the go and want instant results in everything. But Ayurveda asks you to invest in health over a long-term period. It is not difficult to follow a diet that your body can handle; and not all treatments have severe diet restrictions. Besides, Ayurveda is affordable; the time of treatment may vary.All it requires is a shift in thinking.”