Ayurvedic Medicine This picture shows Ingredients for Ayurvedic health: A Neti Pot, rose, chili peppers and sesame seeds

A quote to begin “ As you walk, eat, and travel, be where you are. Otherwise, you will miss most of your life.” Buddha

AYURVEDIC MEDICINE Ayurvedic medicine or “science of life” Ayurvedic is a Sanskrit word Ayura means “life” Veda means “knowledge”

AYURVEDIC MEDICINE Oldest medical systems. Practiced about 4,000 years in India. Hindu, Buddhist, and other groups have used the system for centuries. Recently, there is more recognition in the West.

AYURVEDIC MEDICINE Principles: Balance Body, mind, spirit Among people Environments Universe

CONCEPTS Ayurvedic Medicine is based on the belief that there is a connection between: Microcosm Macrocosm Microcosm referred to the individual. Macrocosm referred to the universe. Within the universe is everything that makes the world. For example: A fetus in the mother’s womb

FIVE ELEMENTS Ayurveda believes in five elements. Earth Water Fire Air Space All of these elements are considered to have both qualities of matter and energy.

EARTH Human body structure is derived from earth elements, which are: Dense Heavy Hard Dense Heavy Hard

WATER liquid and soft The water element is liquid and soft. It exists in the human body as: Plasma Saliva Nasal secretion Tears Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

FIRE hot and light Fire elements are hot and light. The source to regulate: Body temperature Assist digestion Assist absorption The source of fire is assumed to be in the “Solar Plexus.” Also, some believe the solar plexus has a direct connection to the Sun. hot and light

AIR cold mobile rough Air elements are cold, mobile, and rough. It is the magnetic field responsible for: Movement of the earth, wind, and water in the cosmos In the body, the air elements are responsible for: Cellular function Movement of the intestines Movement of breath Thought, desire and will are also believed to be regulate by the air elements

SPACE clear subtle Space element is clear and subtle. Space element makes up most of our body. It plays an important role for sound. Sound is not only audible sound, but the vibrations that resonate in the body.

FIVE ELEMENTS So, these five elements are responsible for the balance of mind, body, and spirit. According to Ayurveda, the human body is composed of: “doshas” or vital energies “dhatus” or tissues “malas” or waste products So, the doshas are responsible for health and removal of waste products from the body. “doshas” “dhatus “malas”

DOSHAS Are responsible for individual’s health Doshas are both structures and energy. They are responsible for all physiological and psychological processes in the body. There are three main doshas according to Ayurveda; Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each person is composed of all doshas. The balance between each dosha makes the health and wellbeing of the individual.

VATAS Vatas are associated with air and space elements. Vatas characteristics are: Changeable Unpredictable Do not finish the task Have anxiety and fear Respond to sound and touch Dislike loud noise Balanced Vatas type: Happy Enthusiastic Energetic

Pittas are associated with fire. Pittas type person acts with: Determination Ambition Outspokenness Efficiency Balance Pittas are: Sweet Joyous Confident

KAPHAS Kaphas are associated with earth and water. They are relaxed and stable. Eat slowly and speak slowly. Food is important to them. Balanced Kaphas are: Graceful Relaxed Happy Tranquil

BODY TYPES The blueprint of each individual is composed of three major doshas: Vata Pitta Kapha Each person may have one or a combination of these three doshas. According to Ayurveda, there are ten different body types. Knowing the body type, assists the individual for better health and balance.

BODY TYPES Single-dosha types One dosha is strong. It could be: Vata Pitta Kapha Few people are single-dosha type.

BODY TYPES Two-dosha types One dosha is strong. A secondary dosha plays an important role. For example: Vata-Pitta Pitta-vata Pitta-Kapha Kapha-Pitta Kapha-Vata Vata-Kapha More people are two-dosha types.

BODY TYPES Three dosha types: Vata-Pitta-Kapha All three doshas are equally strong. Good immunity, lifelong good health, and longevity

TISSUES/ DHATUS The dhatus are responsible for nourishment and health of the body. There are seven dhatus in the body which are needed to maintain health: Rasa (plasma) Rakta (blood cells) Mamsa (Muscle) Meda (adipose) Asthi (bone) Majja (bone marrow) Shukra (reproductive tissue)

WASTE PRODUCTS/ MALAS The substance that the body does not keep: Urine Feces Sweat Lack of elimination of the above substances cause imbalance and disease.

SUMMARY Balanced doshas create health. Health means: mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and environmental health. Healthy individuals have abundant energy. Healthy individuals have less problems in the their lives. Healthy individuals have good relationships with others and society at large.