Major Medical Treatments: Ayurveda

What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is a healing system from India that dates back 4,000 years—and is still the main form of medicine used there today. The word Ayurveda combines "Ayur" (life) and "Veda" (knowledge).

Ayurveda acts on the body's systems and organs, like Western medicine, and also on the body's "vital" energy. According to the Ayurvedic theory, there are three "vital" energies or doshas in the body, with the Sanskrit names of vata, pitta, and kapha.

Our bodies are a mix of these three doshas, and all three must be in balance for good health:

• Vata is linked to the air element and relates to the nervous system
• Pitta is linked to the fire element and relates to metabolism and digestion
• Kapha is linked to the water element and relates to the mucous membranes, moisture, fat, and the lymph system.

Since each of us has a unique blend of doshas, treatments are individual. Two people may have the same symptoms, but need different treatments. Ayurveda finds that good digestion is key to good health and poor digestion makes toxins and illness.

Caution: If you are on a special diet for diabetes or kidney disease, you may not be able to follow some of the food or drink suggestions made by an Ayurveda practitioner.

 What is your Ayurvedic type?