What Is Ayurveda?

Ayurvedic medicine (“Ayurveda” for short) is one of the world’s oldest holistic (“whole-body”) healing systems. It was developed more than 3,000 years ago in India.

It’s based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. Its main goal is to promote good health, not fight disease. But treatments may be geared toward specific health problems.

In the United States, it’s considered a form of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).

 

Ayurveda and Your Life Energy

Students of CAM therapy believe that everything in the universe – dead or alive – is connected. If your mind, body, and spirit are in harmony with the universe, you have good health. When something disrupts this balance, you get sick. Among the things that can upset this balance are genetic or birth defects, injuries, climate and seasonal change, age, and your emotions.

Those who practice Ayurveda believe every person is made of five basic elements found in the universe: space, air, fire, water, and earth.

These combine in the human body to form three life forces or energies, called doshas. They control how your body works. They are Vata dosha (space and air); Pitta dosha (fire and water); and Kapha dosha (water and earth).

Everyone inherits a unique mix of the three doshas. But one is usually stronger than the others. Each one controls a different body function. It’s believed that your chances of getting sick — and the health issues you develop — are linked to the balance of your doshas.

Is Ayurvedic Medicine Safe?

Some Ayurvedic preparations may contain lead, mercury, or arsenic in amounts that can be toxic.

Is Ayurvedic Medicine Effective?

A few studies suggest that Ayurvedic preparations may reduce pain and increase function in people with osteoarthritis and help manage symptoms in people with type 2 diabetes, but most of these trials are small or not well-designed. There is little scientific evidence on Ayurveda’s value for other health issues.

How much do we know about Ayurvedic medicine?

Although Ayurvedic medicine and its components have been described in many scholarly articles, only a small number of clinical trials using these approaches have been published in Western medical journals. About 240,000 American adults use Ayurvedic medicine.

What Is Ayurvedic Medicine?

The ancient Indian medical system, also known as Ayurveda, is based on ancient writings that rely on a “natural” and holistic approach to physical and mental health. Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems and remains one of India’s traditional health care systems. Ayurvedic treatment combines products (mainly derived from plants, but may also include animal, metal, and mineral), diet, exercise, and lifestyle.

What the Science Says About the Effectiveness of Ayurvedic Medicine

Few well-designed clinical trials and systematic research reviews suggest that Ayurvedic approaches are effective.

• Results from a 2013 clinical trial compared two Ayurvedic formulations of plant extracts against the natural product glucosamine sulfate and the drug celecoxib in 440 people with knee osteoarthritis. All four products provided similar reductions in pain and improvements in function.
• A preliminary and small NCCIH-funded 2011 pilot study with 43 people found that conventional and Ayurvedic treatments for rheumatoid arthritis were similarly effective. The conventional drug tested was methotrexate and the Ayurvedic treatment included 40 herbal compounds.
• Outcomes from a small short-term clinical trial with 89 men and women suggested that a formulation of five Ayurvedic herbs may help people with type 2 diabetes. However, other researchers said inadequate study designs haven’t allowed researchers to develop firm conclusions about Ayurveda for diabetes.
• Turmeric, an herb often used in Ayurvedic preparations, may help with ulcerative colitis, but the two studies reporting this were small—one, published in 2005, included 10 people while the other, published in 2006, had 89.

 

What the Science Says About the Safety of Ayurvedic Medicine

• Some Ayurvedic preparations include metals, minerals, or gems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that the presence of metals in some Ayurvedic products makes them potentially harmful.
• A 2015 published survey of people who use Ayurvedic preparations showed that 40 percent had elevated blood levels of lead and some had elevated blood levels of mercury. About one in four of the supplements tested had high levels of lead and almost half of them had high levels of mercury.
• A 2015 case report published in the Center for Disease Control’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report linked elevated blood lead levels in a 64-year-old woman with Ayurvedic preparations purchased on the Internet.
• Although rare, Ayurvedic products may cause arsenic poisoning.

NCCIH-Funded Research

NCCIH is funding research that:

• Builds on earlier investigations in breast cancer survivors that found a positive effect of integrated Ayurvedic medicine on improved quality of life; new research will evaluate ways to make this intervention easier to incorporate into peoples’ lives. The proposed Ayurvedic intervention includes diet, lifestyle, yoga, and pressure point treatment.
• Studies the mechanism by which an extract from Butea monosperma (BME) flowers may protect against joint destruction from osteoarthritis (BME is widely used in Ayurveda for arthritis and other inflammatory diseases in India).

 

More To Consider

• Don’t use Ayurvedic medicine to postpone seeing a conventional health care provider about a medical problem.
  If you have a health condition, talk with your conventional health care provider before using Ayurvedic products.
• There is no significant regulation of Ayurvedic practice or education in the United States, and no state requires a practitioner to have a license. For more information on credentialing complementary health practitioners, see the NCCIH fact sheet Credentialing, Licensing, and Education.
• If you’re pregnant or nursing, be sure to consult your (or your child’s) health care provider as some Ayurvedic products may contain products that could be harmful.
• Tell all your health care providers about any complementary or integrative health approaches you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Ayurveda Treatment for certain Diseases & Condition

Spondylitis

It is a medical condition wherein there is an inflammation of a vertebra (bones that make up the back bone). It is a type of arthritis affecting the backbone or spine. The intensity of the condition varies from it being mild to severe. Affected individuals may complain of low back pain and stiffness.

Back Pain

Pain felt in the back is also called ‘dorsopathy’. This kind of pain may originate in the muscles, bones, nerves, joints or other areas in the spine. The onset of pain maybe sudden or chronic; localized to one area or radiate to other areas.

Insomnia

This is sleep disorder wherein the patient is unable to sleep or cannot sleep for sufficient periods. The underlying causes maybe stress, depression or there maybe no apparent reason! Before treating insomnia, it is important to diagnose its root cause.

Paralysis

When a muscle or a group of muscles loses their functional capacity, the condition is termed paralysis. Most often, paralysis occurs when there is damage to the brain, nervous system or the spinal cord. Among the many causes, poliomyelitis, spina bifida, stroke and trauma are a few.

Joint Pain

Also called ‘arthralgia’, joint pains can affect one or more joints. It is caused by injuries or certain medical conditions. It is most common in patients with rheumatism, arthritis, muscle pain and bursitis.

Gastric Disorders

The term refers to disorders of the stomach. Heartburns, indigestion, peptic ulcers or GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease) are some gastric disorders that can be treated.

Bronchial Disorder

It is a lung condition caused when the the air-passages called the bronchus (or bronchi) are affected. The disorder may cause interference with normal functioning of the lungs that in turn affects the process of respiration.

Headache

Rated as the most common problem, a headache is mostly not a cause for serious concern. However headaches due to migraines, tension, eye strain and sinusitis can be treated

Gynecological Complaints

Most complaints are related to menstrual irregularities or genital tract infections. Others may involve conditions affecting parts of the female reproductive system.

Piles and Fistula

Piles and fistula are common anorectal problems in men and women. Symptoms include pain and /or bleeding around the anus. Pregnancy, old age, chronic constipation and diarrhea are some associated conditions that may aggravate the problems.

Liver disorders

The liver performs many important functions in the body such as storage and filtering of blood, production of bile, metabolism of fats and sugars. Consequently any condition that affects the liver has a direct effect on the body. Common liver disorders maybe jaundice, hepatitis or cirrhosis.

Please note that all packages for ayurvedic treatment include accommodation in air-conditioned cottages on the waterfront, food and treatments. The packages also includes free Panchakarma along with Ayurtheeram Special Therapy

 

 

Treatment for Lifestyle Conditions

Relieving Stress and Anxiety

Here is an excellent opportunity to de-stress yourself with the best of the treatment options available in the most natural way. The treatment is meticulously planned by a team of experts and is executed by best-trained masseurs. The mode of treatment and the duration depends on the type of problem and ailment. This natural health-care tradition is practiced and has been tried for thousands of years in India by the famous Indian yogis and sages. The treatment helps you to maintain health, vitality and longevity due to the soothing effect it has on the body and mind.

The other common lifestyle problems treated by our experienced staff include treatment of Obesity.

Loose Weight and Stay Fit

‘We are what we eat.’ As per the ancient theory it is said that body and mind are inseparable and is in communion with each other. Ayurvedic diet is ‘saatvic’ in nature and it nourishes the body and mind. The dishes are wholesome, lack spices and are prepared under strict supervision. The food detoxifies the body, calms the mind and is easy to digest. The Ayurvedic diet regimen is designed to provide adequate calories and at the same time curb your appetite and craving for food. This healthy combination helps you shed weight naturally rather than having to starve.

The diet regimen is supplemented by specific massages using selective Ayurvedic herbs and oils to help you shed that extra weight.

Some people may get another form of treatment that includes two massages, Medicated herbal powder massage and medicated herbal oil massage for 28 days. Apart from this the therapy also includes medicated steam bath, intake of herbal juices, herbal tea and eating a very special ayurvedic diet to help you slim down to the right weight.

Rediscover your Inner Self through Yoga

The art of Yoga has been practiced in India for many centuries. The word Yoga has been derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Yuj’ which essentially means to join or unite. Yogic exercises help to promote an all-round well being in an individual. The exercises help to recharge the body with cosmic energy and attain the perfect equilibrium and harmony.

A type of Yoga can help a person to channelize and harness the cosmic energy for self-healing. In the process it rejuvenates and energizes the body. Healing is brought about from within by empowering and strengthening the body’s defenses to fight the disease. At the same time, it relaxes the mind and charges it with vigor and zest, blocking away all that is negative and infusing the positive elements. Overall, learning and practising these special Yoga exercises cleanses the body of all the impurities and toxins.

Rejuvenation & Detoxification Therapy

Experienced masseurs give body massages, using their hands and feet, with medicated oils and creams. Medicines to help with rejuvenation and medicated steam bath also form part of this therapy. The duration of each session is 90 minutes to 2 hours per day for 7 to 14 days. At the end this time period you will feel completely refreshed with a new level of both mental and physical energy. This rejuvenation therapy is well suited for young, corporate people who lead a stressful life.

Using herbal oil massage, herbal steam therapy, special herbs, diet and other therapeutic cleansing techniques, toxins are removed from the body. Treatment duration is around one and a half to two hours daily. The therapy rejuvenates you, improves your energy levels and helps you find a new vigor in life by detoxifying your system.

Anti Ageing Therapy

Therapy includes slowing down the process of aging with the help of special ayurvedic medication and diet. The immune system of the body is strengthened and tissue breakdown is slowed. The duration of this therapy is 28 days and we recommend this treatment for everyone before they reach the age of sixty.

Body Purification Therapy

This is a 15- day package and includes body massage, snehapanam, nasyam, virechanam (medicated purgation), snehavasthi, dhara, pizhichil, njavarakizhi, karnapooranam, tharpanam, sirovasthi, steam bath and internal medicines. The therapy is based on panchakarma and swedakarma treatment. It aims to purify the whole body so that a proper balance of vata, pitta and kapha are attained.

Stress Management

The therapy includes pouring of medicated milk, medicated butter milk and herbal oil on the forehead in a special rhythm for about 45 minutes a day for a period of 7 to 21 days. This therapy helps treat insomnia, mental tension, mental stress and certain skin diseases. In Ayurvedic terms these are called vata-dominated diseases.

All packages for ayurvedic treatment include accommodation in air-conditioned cottages on the waterfront, food and treatments. The packages also includes free Panchakarma along with Ayurtheeram Special Therapy.

Seek an initial online consultation if you wish to clarify any further about your specific problems through our experts

After the consultation, the Ayurveda panel of expert Doctors will advice you if they can make you better or treat your condition.

The package includes accommodation in air-conditioned cottages on the waterfront, diet, medication and all the special ayurvedic massage, yoga exercises and meditation. The packages also includes free Panchakarma along with Ayurtheeram Special Therapy.