Ayurveda is undoubtedly one of the most revered of the treatments that are followed for curing the ailments related to mind and body. There are many communities in India that follow the expert advice and guidance of the ayurvedic experts and truly benefit from it. There is a saying in French that "a man is what he eats"! The various factors relating to an individuals, behavior, appearance, physical fitness and health depend a lot on the kind of diet he/she takes. About ayurveda one can clearly say that it is the medical science that deals with the healthy living. The concept of Ayurveda is gaining momentum even abroad and chances are you will meet with fancy Ayurveda spa in all the metropolitan cities of the West.
Origin of Ayurveda
Ayurveda is said to be the chief body of a part of the Atharva Veda. According to the legends, Brahma, the creator, is said to have passed on the knowledge of medicine to Prajapati Daksha. From there it consequently passed on to Dhanwantri who in turn took this science to the mortals. From there onwards, it passed on to the student of Dhanwantri, Sushruta who was basically a surgeon. Charaka was another medical expert who wrote the various methods of treatment in his text Charaka Samhita, based on these two treaties, the treatment of ayurveda is followed.
Elements of Ayurveda
The ancient Indian philosophy states that the human body is also made up of the five elements that are: Prithvi or earth, Apa or water, Tejas or fire, Vayu or air, Akash or space.
These five elements (pancha bhutas) are said to be in balance and the same thing applies to the human beings too. When this balance in nature is disrupted, there will be catastrophe such as flood, cyclone, and earthquakes. When these things occur within the body, the body suffers from sickness and diseases.
Humors and Dhatus of Ayurveda
These five elements are apparent in the body in three different kinds of humors. They are three in number and thus are called as Tridosha. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Vata is the blend of air and the atmosphere, Pitta is the mixture of fire and water and Kapha is the combination of earth and water. Any disorder in the human body occurs because of the lack of balance of the Vata, Pitta, and Kapha components.
The Dhatus are the essential tissues that maintain and nurture the body. Basically they are rasa (food juices), rakta (blood), mamsa (muscles), medas (fatty tissue), asthi (bone), majja (bone marrow), and shukra (semen). They are also needed to be in the utmost balance for a healthy body and mind.
Food habits suggested by ayurveda
Ayurveda basically advocates the adoption of certain food habits and to withdraw some of the food stuffs as a part of the treatment. Herbs, flowers, and leaves are also used to make medicines that have a special effect on the human body. Hence, the food has to be analyzed in detail in Ayurveda. The various combinations of the elements and the food products associated with it are:
| Combination | Nature | Food producta |
| Earth and water | Sweet | Sweet |
| Earth and fire | Sour | Sweet |
| Water and fire | Salty | sea salt, rock salt, and kelp |
| Fire and air | Pungent | onion, radish, ginger, chilly |
| Air and ether | Pungent | onion, radish, ginger, chilly |
The consumption of raw foods and juices is wonderful in the way that they are cleansing and energizing.
Sprouts and other food grains
For the healthy digestion and assimilation of the food, enzymes play a key role and the sprouts abound with such enzymes. Several spicier sprouts help to wipe out the toxins in the system known as ama in Ayurveda. Fenugreek sprouts are very effective in cases of seminal debility.
Properly cooked grains, beans, and vegetables discharge their prana in the colon. Clear intestinal tract is also vital for good food absorption. Triphala (the three fruits), used in Ayurveda, is one of the most excellent colon cleansers because it reinforces and tones the muscle action of the colon.
Branches of Ayurveda
There are eight branches of ayurveda in total and that are therapeutics, surgical knowledge, healing of diseases of the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, oral cavity and throat, knowledge of mental diseases and diseases of paranormal origin, knowledge of infantile disorders and care of young children, toxicology, knowledge of tonics and processes of arresting process of mental and physical decay and the knowledge of virilifics.
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