Ayurveda Experience, Its History And Why Is It So Effective (The Complete Guide)

10 min readJun 18, 2020

Originally published on Onayurveda.com

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Mystical and exotic Indian system of a healthy, happy, and long life – Ayurveda is gaining more and more popularity in Western countries. Many people turn their attention to this ancient medicine as prophylaxis of general health, while others treat diseases. Unfamiliar and distant for most of us, Ayurveda can create misunderstanding among those who want to use it.

This article gives you an opportunity to dive into the depths of this oriental science of health as I will try to make it more understandable and familiar.

The desire of man for a long life is the reason for the appearance of Ayurveda on planet Earth. Her knowledge has been transmitted by many generations and comes from the universal consciousness that created the visible world. Hindu mythology calls this higher mind Brahma. Ayurveda is a holistic science that exists to help everyone live a healthy and happy, long life.

Ayurveda Experience: Background And History

In historical and mythological terms, information about Ayurveda begins from God Brahma. The wise men of India were overtaken by illness and premature death, although they lived in the mountains of the Himalayas. They found serious problems in maintaining their health due to the many limitations that hindered their practice of achieving life goals, described as purushastri.

This forced them to seek help from God Indra, who is described as the King of the Gods. When they turned to him, he, in turn, asked for help from the god Brahma. He transferred the knowledge of Ayurveda Prajapathi, who was responsible for protecting the people. The god Prajapati imparted knowledge to the Kumara twins (Ashwini Kumaras), who were healers of the gods. From them, knowledge came to the god Indra, and he transferred Ayurvedic knowledge to the sage Atreya (Atreya Punarvasu) – the main representative of the sages of India, who lived in the Himalayas. He transferred the knowledge to Agnivesa, and from him, Ayurveda was transferred to other sages and gradually began to spread in India.

Ayurvedic Sutras And Texts

Ayurvedic literature provides information on sutras (sutras). These are texts that are combined with each other and create the basic concept of this oriental science. The meaning of the word sutra is a short law written in several words.

Over many centuries of Ayurveda’s existence, many sages wrote their own theories through sutras, interpreting the source texts. The most famous of them are Charaka Samhita (Charaka Saṃhitā) written by Acharya Charaka, Sushruta Samhita (Suśruta-saṃhitā), Ashtanga Hridyam (Aṣṭāṅga-hṛdayam), written by Vagbhata.

These works were written by the sages, who were pioneers of everything connected with Ayurvedic ideology.

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Ayurveda And Its Eight Branches (Ashtanga Ayurveda)

The leading deity that is venerated by Indian Ayurvedic doctors, especially during the Diwali festival, is Lord Divodas Dhanavantari. He receives Ayurvedic knowledge from the god Indra and transfers it to the sage Sushrut, dividing Ayurveda into eight branches (Ashtanga Ayurveda, Ashtanga Ayurveda):

Kaya Chikitsa – Kaya means the physical body. All types of diseases are associated with the physical body or related processes. The analogs in our allopathic medicine are internal diseases or general medicine. Kaya Chikitsa is best described in Charaka Samhita.

Bala Chiktsa – Pediatrics, part of Ayurveda, which focuses mainly on the treatment of children. Also known as Kaumarabhritya (Kaumarabhritya), and applies to children under the age of 16. Children have different physical needs compared to adults. These differences cause a different dosage of Ayurvedic herbal products, and sometimes the need for herbal medicines specially prepared for children. Interpretations of ancient texts related to Bal Chikitsa can be found in Kasyapa Samhita.

Graha Chikitsa – Psychiatry, diseases of the physical body are often associated with causes such as a feeling of unhappiness, and the role of the mind has an important place in a healthy lifestyle. There are many uncertain factors in life that can cause changes in thinking and mental state, which is reflected in the violation of our health. Graha Chikitsa is associated with the study and impact on changes in the mental state that can cause changes in the functions of the body.

Urdhvanga Chikitsa (Urdhvanga Chikitsa) – Diseases that affect the area above the neck. Also known as the Shalakya Tantra. A tool that is often used to act in these areas is called a probe. This Sanskrit probe is known as Shalaka. Diseases of the eyes, nose, ears, throat are included in this part of Ayurvedic medicine.

Shala Chikitsa – Surgery, it reveals details about surgical methods associated with the removal of something that led to the development or underlies the pathological process. Sushruta Samhita (Suśruta-saṃhitā) is the best interpretation of the Ayurvedic sutras associated with surgical intervention in Ayurveda.

Damshrta Chikitsa – Toxicology, poisoning is one of the leading causes of sudden or premature death of a person. Poison, which has a different origin and form, can also cause numerous health problems. It can be found in food, poisonous insects, or bites of reptiles, animals, etc. Damshrta Chikitsa is Ayurveda’s leading teaching on the removal of toxic toxins from the body.

Jara Chikitsa – Geriatrics, the desire for a long life is normal for every person. Over time, degenerative changes occur that can be seen in the body. To slow down the aging process, Ayurveda uses several procedures, such as Kayakalpa, Herbal Products, or Chavanprasham or Brahma Rasayanam.

Breaking Chikitsa (Vrushya Chikitsa) – Reproductive Medicine, this part of Ayurveda is also known as Vajeekarana. Each person has a deep, genetically motivated desire for reproduction. This part describes various methods for improving the quality of sperm or eggs, which are reproductive cells of the body. Creating a generation with good physical and mental health is the main goal of Vrusha Chikitsa.

Ayur~Veda: Knowledge Of Life

The word Ayurveda is a collective term, as you can see from the text above. It bears its meaning in the name: “Ayu” – life and “Veda” – knowledge, understanding of science. The existence of each person, according to ancient Hindu teachings, has one main goal – to achieve the highest meaning of existence, “Moksha“, or complete freedom from the limitations of earthly life.

Usually, life is limited in duration and insufficient to achieve moksha, especially if a disease appears. This is why Ayurveda is a science that uses both aspects:

Prevention of health, which can always be improved.
Treatment of disorders caused by diseases in the physiology of the body.

Panchamahabuta Or The Five Elements

According to the Eastern science of life, the Universe and everything visible around us consist of five eternally existing principles or elements (Panchamahabuta). They are described as:

Space (Akash) – a quality associated with free space, without anything.
Air (Vayu) – associated with the characteristics of movement and activity
Fire (Tejas) – the main quality is the transition from one form to another.
Water (Jala) – is determined by the quality of cohesion, moisture, liquid of nature, penetration, and softness.
Earth (Prithvi) – the leading quality is strength and density, the formation of form.

These five elements cannot be considered as an analogue of human ideas about specific words but as some characteristics of the visible world created by them.

Human Body According To Ayurveda

There should be enough space in the uterus of the expectant mother, and no restrictions on the ways of fertilizing the egg.

There must be a movement (element of air) of the sperm to the ovum in order for fertilization to take place.

When the sperm combines with the egg, it is necessary to convert two cells into one (the fire element), with which begins a new division of cells that carry the same male and female information.

Those cells that divide must be connected to each other and not decay (water element).

From interconnected cells, the formation of a form begins, which at some point will be called the embryo, and later – the human fetus (element earth).

When these elements are combined in the human body, they are distributed into three energies.

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The Three Doshas – VATA, PITTA, and KAPHA

Vata – Space and Air. Dry, cold, light, dynamic energy, is responsible for all motor actions in the body.

Pitta – Fire and Some Water. A Sanskrit, the meaning is “warmth”, “transformation”. When a person is born, Pitta is in equilibrium with the other two energies called Vata and Kapha.

Kapha – water and earth. Wet, cold, completely passive energy associated with the density and formation of the body, its tissues, and organs.

Ayurvedic Practitioner And Diagnosis

When the energies of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha are in balance, a person feels a sense of lightness, happiness, and energy, which is defined as health. When one, two, or three energies go out of balance, Ayurveda defines this condition as a disease.

In the presence of symptoms, or pathological disorders, it is advisable to visit an Ayurvedic doctor who will determine the imbalance in the energy state.

Rogi Pariksha

Rogi Pariksha occurs in Three Aspects:

Darshana – The doctor observes the patient, recording his age, body structure, appearance.
Sparshana – The doctor palpates, listens, and checks the patient through contact.
Prashna – The doctor asks specific questions to get acquainted with the symptoms of the patient.

Dasavidha Pariksha

Dasavidha Pariksha includes Ten factors related to human health.

Souls (Dooshyam) – structural and physiological disorders of the body.
Desham – climatic influence in the place where the patient lives.
Balam – physical strength.
Kalam – seasonal and climatic changes.
Analam (Analam) – the state of the digestive system of the patient.
Prakriti (Prakriti) – the prevailing energy of the three doshas, affecting throughout human life.
Vayas (Vayas) – age of the patient.
Satvam – the mental stamina of a person.
Sathmyam – lifestyle, habits, and rules that the patient follows.
Aharam is the type and quality of food that he consumes.

Ashtavida Pariksha

Ashtavida Pariksha includes Eight factors that can be traced by a doctor.

Nadi – pulse diagnosis.
Mothram – urine analysis.
Malam – type of feces.
Jihwa (Jiva) – examination of the tongue, its shape, color, plaque.
Sabda (Sabdam) – the power of voice and speech of the patient.
Sparsham – skin and tactile sensitivity.
Drik – eyes and eyesight.
Akriti (Akrithi) – body shape.

After the examination, the doctor gives the patient recommendations on lifestyle changes related to:

Water and fluid intake.
Diet.
Physical activity.
Specific recommendations based on the individual characteristics of the patient.

Types Of Herbal Formulations

Arishta (Arishta) and Asava (Asava) – fermented extracts containing alcohol and water extracts.

Bhasma (Bhasma) – a powder of minerals or metals.
Churnam – various types of plant powders.
Gritam (Ghritham) – Refined Guy Oil with Herbs.
Kashayam – infusions of herbs.
Kashayam tablets – decoctions of herbs in the form of tablets.
Leham – a mixture of herbs and spices based on honey or raw sugar.
Teyla (Tailam) – vegetable oils.
Gulika – herbal tablets.

Ayurveda Therapeutic Methods

Ayurveda also offers a wide range of therapeutic methods, applied as prescribed by the doctor. The most famous are the two systems of Purvakarma and Panchakarma.

1. Purvakarma (Purvakarma) – many preparatory procedures performed to collect toxins from the periphery to the center of the body – the digestive system.
Consists of two types:

Snehana – oiling the body.

Swede (Svedana) – sweating the body.

There are two types of Snehana: Bahya, external lubrication of the body with herbal decoctions, and Ahyantar, internal lubrication of the body with vegetable oil or Ghee by drinking, rinsing or introducing into the nose or ears.

2. Panchakarma (Panchakarma) – five types of therapy to remove accumulated toxins from the body.

Vamana (Vamana) – caused by vomiting, which is aimed at balancing Kapha energy and removing toxins from the upper body.
Virecana (Virecana) – caused a laxative effect aimed at balancing the energy of Pitta and the removal of toxins from the gastrointestinal tract.
Vasti is a therapeutic enema for balancing Vata energy, removing accumulated toxins, and improving colon function.
Nasya (Nassya) or Shirovirechana (Sirovirecana) – the introduction of therapeutic oil into the nose in order to clean the toxins from the head.
Raktamokshan (Raktamoksana) – bloodletting by various methods.

After these treatment methods are carried out in a certain sequence, a lifestyle is prescribed at the end of Panchakarma, known as Pascatakarma, as well as a special diet of Samsarjana Krama (Samsarjana Krama).

The Bottom Line

According to our ideas, formed under the influence of Western medical theory, it is difficult to fully understand the action and manifestation, from the grossest to the most subtle level of human existence.

Ayurveda is a 5000-year-old scientific system for the preservation of human health and treatment. Thanks to the advice and recommendations, Ayurveda can significantly slow down the aging process and provide a better life with physical and mental longevity.

Long gone from the era of mysticism, this science is still shrouded in a misunderstanding on the part of our Western ideas. This is a full-blooded healthcare system that can become a complete analogue of our medicine, mainly in the field of prevention or treatment of the chronic stage of diseases.

Many who wish to get acquainted with Ayurveda and even those who use it are sometimes associated with wellness and spa concepts, but this is completely wrong and hides the beauty of deep knowledge, which is the basis of its existence.

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