MARIE HECELLE ANTONETE Q. PUSO BS – BIO3A

AYURVEDA holistic approach to health that is designed to help people live long, healthy, and well- balanced lives. Ayurveda is taken from the Sanskrit words ayus, meaning life or lifespan, and veda, meaning knowledge.

Ayurveda adopted the physics of the "five elements"

Vata -- When vata energy is balanced, there is creativity and vitality. Out of balance, vata produces fear and anxiety. Pitta -- In balance, pitta leads to contentment and intelligence. Out of balance, pitta can cause ulcers and arouse anger. Kapha -- In balance, kapha is expressed as love and forgiveness. Out of balance, kapha leads to insecurity and envy It is also believed that there are three basic energy types called doshas, present in every person:

PRACTICE: To address the health issue, ayurvedic centers provide massage, herbal treatments and dietary advice meant to remove the toxins and strengthen the immune system.

PRACTICE: Hygiene is an Indian cultural value and a central practice of ayurvedic medicine. Hygienic living involves regular bathing, cleansing of teeth, skin care, and eye washing. Daily anointing of the body with oil is also prescribed Ayurveda stresses the use of plant-based medicines and treatments. This practice of adding minerals to herbal medicine is known as rasa shastra.

PRACTICE: The massages are not manipulations of muscles and tissues but rather gentle rubbing and stroking to facilitate the absorption of oil. The basic treatment, called abhyanga, is an herb-infused hot oil massage simultaneously performed by two therapists. It aims to relax the body, improve circulation, remove tension in the joints.

PRACTICE: This could be paired with shirodhara, which involves dripping buttermilk or a yogurt decoction onto the forehead for a cooling effect. This treats nervous disorders and insomnia. For tired eyes, a treatment involves placing a gauze with medicated ghee or clarified butter that also prevents cataracts and dryness.

PRACTICE: Central to ayurveda is the pancha karma, a detoxification which includes oil massages, regulated diet, herbal steam baths and enemas.

Combining yoga with an Ayurvedic herbal remedy containing winter cherry (Withania somnifera), boswellia (Boswellia serrata), and turmeric (Curcuma longa) may reduce pain and disability in people with arthritis.

A number of Ayurvedic herbal remedies have been examined: guggul (Commiphora mukul), a traditional Ayurvedic medication used to treat high cholesterol, is widely used in India. It appears to block production of cholesterol in the liver, lowering cholesterol levels. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) seeds can lower LDL “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides (fats in the blood), and raise HDL “good” cholesterol levels. Its effects seem to come from its ability to lower the absorption of cholesterol in the intestine, and may be related to the high fiber content of the seed. The high fiber content of fenugreek seeds may also help control blood sugar if you have diabetes.