About Ayurveda
Since 2010 the WHO (World Health Organization) has recognized Ayurveda as a complete system of traditional medicine! According to the WHO definition, therapies in general traditional medicine include drug, non-drug, manual and spiritual therapies.
The roots of Ayurveda are found in India, the classic texts of Ayurveda which have come down to us are Charaka Samhita which was probably written in the 2nd century BC and Sushruta Samhita which was written in the 2nd century AD
We find in these texts the history of Ayurveda and the description of how it was transmitted to humanity. Ayurveda is the traditional healing system of India.
Ayurveda is a knowledge of life, a science of health, well-being and longevity. It is also an art of living and a philosophy.
The term Ayurveda consists of:
Ayu : life (derived from the Sanskrit root Ayus) length, Longevity
Veda : (derived from the Sanskrit root Vid) knowledge, knowledge, science.
Ayurveda can also be understood as knowledge (science) of length, the longevity of life. That is, how to maintain perfect health in life for as long as possible.
The theory of the three doshas forms the foundation of the structure of Ayurveda. These energies, or doshas represent the following functions:
Vata (air/ether) : gouverns mouvement
Pitta (fire / water): responsible for processing
Kapha (water/ earth) : responsible for cohesion
Vata (air/ether) : gouverns mouvement
Pitta (fire / water): responsible for processing
Kapha (water/ earth) : responsible for cohesion
These three functions are fundamental at all levels of the body; both for cells, tissues, organs, physiological processes, as well as in relation to the environment.
Vata, Pitta, Kapha are always considered in complementarity. The three doshas are present in each human being, in varying proportions. The right balance between these three functions is a prerequisite for good health.
A prolonged malfunction of the balance between these three doshas ultimately leads to illness. In Ayurvedic medicine, all therapies aim to correct the imbalance between the doshas and thus restore health.