Ayurveda: Practices

Ayurveda is primarily used for overall maintenance of human health through reduction of stress and improvement in strength and stamina. It is practiced through yoga and meditation that have proven to be effective in many diseases. Ayurveda must be practiced with suitable diet that plays a major role in maintaining good human health.

Ayurveda has found its standing not only in Hinduism but also in many other religions and beliefs. The prime reason behind its popularity is its central idea of ‘equilibrium’. Equilibrium, or balance, needs to be maintained in human body. Ayurveda also maintains that natural urges must not be suppressed as doing so may lead to illness. Hence, it insists on practicing reasonable balance and moderation in food intake.

Ayurveda follows some dietary recommendations that range from preparation and consumption of food, to healthy routines for day and night, disciplined sensual gratification and rules for ethical conduct. The genuine practices of Ayurveda have found place in contemporary lifestyle with the option of disciplined formulations.

1.    Ayurveda recommends a thorough examination of the patient on the basis of his or her constitution
2.    Abnormality
3.    Essence
4.    Stability
5.    Body structure
6.    Diet suitability
7.    Psychic strength
8.    Digestive capacity
9.    Physical fitness and
10.    Age

Ayurveda recognizes five significant criteria  for diagnosis of any disease. They are origin of the disease, its precursory symptoms, its distinctive symptoms, the effect of applied procedures, and the pathological process.

Ayurveda is practiced in diverse situations, but with few common ground rules. They are:

Hygiene: Hygiene is the prime requisite of Ayurveda. It involves regular bathing, cleansing of every body organ, their regular care etc.
 
Oils: Various kinds of oils are extensively used in Ayurveda and its medicine. According to Ayurveda, oils are rich in linoleum acid that has therapeutic effect on human body. Oils and other natural elements are used in abundance in Ayurveda concoctions. Even certain minerals are also consumed in one or the other form. Oils are applied in Ayurveda practice by various methods such as oral consumption, smearing, massaging or by adding into drugs.

Proper function of channels: The smooth functioning of body channels hold great importance in Ayurveda. These channels and tubes are vital as they help in transportation of body fluids from one organ to another. Any obstruction in these channels can lead to diseases and ill health. That is the reason why sweating is considered important as it aids in opening of various channels after diluting all the toxins.

Seasons also play an important role in Ayurveda practices as they are innately related to human body. Seasons in all their forms adversely and favorably affect human health. The outer environment rendered by these seasons leave its impact on our inner health and well being. During cold and moist weather, our body gains kapha. Similarly, other seasons also leave certain effect within as well as outside the bodies. The most comfortable type of weather is the moderate one. During extreme weather conditions, the body tries to maintain its internal temperature either by shivering or by wearing woolen clothes or by perspiring when it is burning hot.

 During hot weather, care should be taken while consuming food. Oily, rich, sour, salty, pungent and non vegetarian food should be avoided as they tend to increase pitta. Such foods should be eaten that keep a balance of pitta in the body and maintains healthy digestion. More of liquids should be taken in hot weather to counter the effect of the hot season. Similarly, during rainy season, light diet and oil-less food should be consumed to maintain agility of body as the digestion power of body takes a back seat in this season too.

To sum up, Ayurveda and its practices are applied with meticulous observation and investigation of overall health. The prime focus of practices of Ayurveda is to optimize the health of the person by evacuating the negative energies (doshas) from the system.