Understanding Ayurveda in an easy way

More than 5000 years old treasure of Ayurveda is now known throughout the world. Though Ayurveda originated in India, now its roots are widespread across the seven seas. Everyone is now familiar with the word Ayurveda, but a few know its gest and its true meaning. 

Do you also follow Ayurveda and are keen to know about it? Or do you belong to the flock that thinks that Ayurveda is a pseudoscience? If you favor this opinion, then read this further you will have a clearly changed opinion about the Ayurveda. If you are an Ayurveda lover then, this article would be a cherry on your cake. And if Ayurveda is new to you, then let’s become familiar with it.

What is the true meaning of Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is composed of two Sanskrit words, Ayu and Veda. The translation of Ayu is life and that of Veda is knowledge or science, which translates it as the “knowledge of life.”It examines physical constitution ( Prakriti), emotional nature, and also have spiritual outlook. The phrase- “knowledge of life” is itself enough for you to guess how deep Ayurveda is. While other forms of medicinal systems focus only on disease, this is the only system that focuses on the disease and its prevention as well. Moreover, it also provides you with techniques like yoga, meditation, and the use of herbs which helps in keeping you fit and healthy. 

The holistic approach of the Ayurveda is such that it cut off the disease from its root. How? For this Ayurveda follows some basic principles. These principles are different from others. Its main principles are – dosha and prakriti. These principles revolve around five components of nature. 

Our body is composed of 5 elements that are- earth water, air, fire, and space. Similarly, every single thing is composed of these 5 elements. And therefore Ayurveda uses things like plants, minerals, gemstones, and many more naturally occurring things in the form of medicines. For this reason, the side effects of Ayurveda are negligible. 

Have you ever asked why someone is your best friend? Probably no. This is because you two share some similarities between your habits, principles, or mind setup. A similar thing is with our body, the things which are of similar composition as our body are its friends. On the other hand, the unnatural things that are artificially prepared, surely harm our body earlier or later. This is the hidden concept of Ayurvedabehind preparing medicines by using the gifts of Nature.

Who planted Ayurveda?

The Ayurveda is an eternal science that was first known to Lord “Brahma” (God in Hindu mythology). And through meditation, it passed from him to ancient Indian mystics. Thereafter its teachings, principles, and concepts were passed from one generation of a learned saint to another, and so on. Lord “Dhanwantari” is known as the father of the Ayurveda.

The  Ancient Indian Vedas especially ‘Atharveda’ contain the great treasure of the Ayurveda. And the textbooks which have an abundance of Ayurvedic principles, medicines, and techniques are – Charak Samhita and Sushrut Samhita. In addition to these texts, there are several other texts in which there is immense knowledge of various things related to Ayurveda.

What comes under Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is too vast. It encompasses:

• Therapies and treatments for everyone and every disease.
• Guidelines that involves dietary and lifestyle changes which help you to keep healthy and fit. 
• medicinal formulation
• use of natural herbs and remedies
• Yoga
• medication

Yes, you read it right Yoga and meditation also come under its heading. The process of treatment in Ayurveda is not restricted only to our body but is also includes our mind, senses, and soul. Yoga and meditation strengthen and control our mind and senses and thus are part of Ayurveda. In fact, Yoga and Ayurveda are known as sister sciences.

If you think you aren’t following Ayurveda, then it’s just a myth. You follow it while you perform yoga or try different postures while exercising. You follow it unknowingly when you try any natural remedy or take fennel seeds (Saunf) after having lunch or dinner at a luxurious restaurant

 Amazed or Shocked? Well, the reason behind eating fennel seeds is that they enhance the work of the digestive system and help in help in easy digestion of our feeds. In the Ayurvedic textbook, they are mentioned as “agnideepkak” which means they enhance digestive power.

Besides this Ayurveda: 

• consists of 8 branches which include pediatric and gynecology too. These 8 branches are collectively known as “Ashtang  Ayurveda.”
• also offers wide range of medicine and formulations which improves, health, quality and duration of life.
• also have several medicines that not only improves reproductive system but also help in infertility.
• Is the only medicinal system that has hundreds of medicines to improve your immunity and boost up your energy.

Why to follow Ayurveda?

The benefits of Ayurveda are quite a lot that couldn’t be mentioned in a few words. But for you to understand it better, here are some of the points and reasons that everyone should include Ayurveda in their day-to-day lives.

• Ayurveda provides treatments, remedies and therapies for everyone whether they are young, old, sick or in between. 
• It is the only science that helps in preventing as well as curing a disease. In addition, it is also only medicinal system that encourages you to keep you fit and healthy.
• In Ayurveda the treatments are in accordance of its principles. The basis treatment of any disease in Ayurveda depends on- 

1. factors involved in disease( doshas)
2. composition of your body (prakriti) 
3. severity of the disease

• It is the science that improves the quality of your daily life by guiding you to follow balanced diet, effective sleep patterns, home remedies, seasonal routines, effective yoga exercises and calming therapy like meditation.
• It is a form of daily routine as it works in perfect harmony with nature 
• Use of herbs, meditation, yoga all increase the stability of your mind, body and soul. It also heightens the concentration levels and glow up your body from within.
• Its treatment improves digestion, enhance immunity and appetite.
• It offers the organic products which are composed of five basic elements like our body. Hence the side effect of Ayurveda is negligible. Because – 

“dust thou art to dust returnest” 

 Lastly, I would suggest that one should try to live life According to the principles of Ayurveda. Read it thoroughly, know it deeply, then conceptualize it. Ayurveda is very underrated. We should not let our preconceived notions prevent us from trying things. If you will apply and follow Ayurveda then you will know that it is the real “golden bird of India.”