Ayurveda is the science of holistic health and wellness. The healing sciences and India have a relationship that is centuries old. The first known recorded evidence of the medicinal properties of plants and minerals dates back to around 4500 BC. This is the approximate time when the first of the Vedas – the Rigveda was written. There are four Vedas (books of divine knowledge and philosophy) which were written somewhere around 4500 BC and 1500 BC. Methods of drug delivery systems are mentioned in the Atharvaveda, which is the source for the development of Ayurveda as a separate branch altogether

Ayurveda, is in fact the very foundation of the ancient medical science

The word Ayurveda is made up of two Sanskrit words – “Ayu” and “Veda “ meaning life and knowledge respectively. Indicating that Ayurveda is not merely medicine and treatment it is a way of life that tackles the subject of life in its wholeness. Highlighting the curative and preventative aspects of science and tradition.

Environmental pollution, denatured foods and drinks (contaminated with adulterants, toxic preservatives) and indiscriminate medication of synthetic drugs and antibiotics are gravely damaging our health, natural medicine and healthy food are in greater demand today than ever before and Ayurveda has a great role to play.

Holistic health according to Ayurveda depends on the balance and interaction of the three Doshas or biological units in our body – the Vata, Pitta and Kapha. As a system of medicine –Ayurveda helps to tackle health, wellness and disease in a comprehensive manner, taking into account the personality traits of an individual. Our personality traits are a blend of these Doshas with one or more predominating. Any discrepancy of the three is responsible for an imbalance in health and the causation of illness.

Ever growing levels of stress and anxiety can induce conditions that include everything from hypertension and infertility to depression and even the ageing process thus reducing the quality of life. The Ayurveda treatment thus planned is for restoring the disturbed mechanism through personalized wellness and healthy living programs involving wellness and regeneration experience.

Ayurveda’s thrust is to offer natural holistic health methods through proper diet, exercise, meditation/yoga, psycho-spiritual counselling, external therapies and medicines from herbs to balance the Doshas on both the physical and mental plane.

All dimensions of wellness are inextricably woven in the concepts of treatments in Ayurveda involving the diet, lifestyle, therapies and simple habit-changing regimes.

The wisdom of Ayurveda lies in incorporating a code of conduct (self-discipline) as a means to ensuring mental health and happiness.

This Shloka from the text Charak Samhita on medicine very aptly describes the ethical and moral dimension to Health :

“Nityam Hitaharavihara Sevee,
Samikshyakari vishayetwasakthah
Datha, samah, satyaparah, shamawar
Apto pasevee Bhavet Arogah”.

Here is the translation:

“He alone can remain healthy, who takes regulated diet and exercise, who deliberates all his actions, who controls his sensual pleasures, who is generous, just, truthful and forgiving and who can get along with his kinsmen”

.According to the current concept, the pathogenesis involved in most of the disorders is a complex interplay between immunologic, genetic and environmental factors.

Psychological stress and related factors are major culprits involved in the etio-pathogenesis of various ailments. Most of the formulations described for the management of various disorders in Ayurveda are enriched additionally with an immune modulator or adaptogen or Rasayana (as we call it in Ayurveda). Clearly reflecting on the comprehensive approach to treatment .

Specially designed programs and therapies help to develop awareness, consciousness and with the release of emotional blockages, one can experience life with enhanced mental alertness and balanced emotions.

While it is important to look good from outside it is equally important to feel good from within, which reflects on the face and brings happiness.

…and here is a quote of Mahatma Gandhi –
“Happiness is when, what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony”