Brief Introduction to Ayurveda - The Science of Life

Ayurveda is considered the oldest holistic healing system of mankind and it is primarily a lifestyle and preventive medical system to maintain people's good health and to prevent disease. If a disease has occurred, then Ayurveda offers varied assistance, especially for chronic conditions. The person is treated as a holistic individual and focus is not only on the disease.

What does "healthy" in Ayurveda mean?

In Ayurveda, being healthy means more than just the absence of disease. As per the Sushruta Samhita, one of the most important traditional Ayurvedic compendia written in Sanskrit the former Indian language of scientists which still forms the basis for education and healers, one is healthy when the doshas are in balance, when there is a good appetite, body tissues and metabolism are balanced and the consciousness, mind and senses are full of happiness. In Ayurveda, less of this means to be not healthy!

How is Ayurveda different from our university medicine?

Ayurveda puts the individual in his entity into the field of view. This means to consider body and mind as one entity along with the soul, individual life circumstances and the environment. The base is the constitution at birth (Prakriti) which determines the physician, and the balance of the three bio-energies (doshas) Vata, Pitta and Kapha with respect to the individual. They determine the whole body, the body shape and other characteristics as well as the behaviour.
Many people move away from their original balance due to the circumstances of their lives. This leads from mood disorders to more serious diseases. The Ayurvedic physician determines the imbalance of the doshas by the involvement of the symptoms using various methods including tongue and pulse diagnosis. Today in case of illness, conventional medical findings are also integrated, for example blood levels and even extend upto to CT if  necessary.
After the diagnosis, the initiation of action to recover the balance of the three doshas begins. These consist of inter alia, diet according to the constitutional type, exercise, breathing exercise and meditation, oil treatments, sweat baths, medication, and optionally a rejuvenation (Rasajana) or five detoxification actions (Panchakarma).

What is at the heart of the rising popularity of Ayurvedic medicine?

One is concerned for the sick person, with all one's heart and soul, day and night. (Charaka Samhita)
Ayurveda is recognized by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the holistic natural medicine. It addresses the whole person as an individual. An Ayurvedic physician dedicates time to his patients. An Ayurvedic diagnosis is reasonable for those seeking help. With this, one finds a plausible description of one's person from a previously unknown perspective, that of the doshas. Doctor and patient work together. The statements and the logic make it easy for a patient to participate in regaining his original constitution. With the right type of food for his constitution alone it is possible for him to contribute much to his own health and wherever possible to try to avoid disease.

What is an ayurvedic massage?

Ayurvedic massage techniques are versatile. There are relaxing, energizing, invigorating, and relaxing-invigorating massages. With the chosen technique, it comes down to what the goal is; it also concerns whether the body is to be discharged from harmful substances or the body is to be nourished.

There are massages for the entire surface and those aimed at vital points. In addition, there are many slashing and pressing techniques. Whether the massage is done slowly or fast also plays a role. Everything has its special effect and the masseur or the therapist has to know these relationships.

One example is the special massage technique that dates back to the Kalari, an ancient martial art of South India. Knowledge of Kalari was a secret. Training in this technique traditionally takes a long time and until recently was made available only to select students. There are reasons for this - in addition to the vital points, one must also know about the mortal points and the therapist must know how to distinguish between these two accurately.

Traditionally, the learning of martial arts is a prerequisite for this massage training. Teaching of Yoga too is often required and only then is the preparation for the several years of training in this massage technique given. Given that such a training is required, one must question how authentic a Kalari massage does a Western client get if he meets a massage therapist who has attended a only few weekend courses?

Ayurvedic masseurs and therapists must have knowledge of the products. Oil is not just oil. In Ayurveda it is essential to know which herbs are contained in the oils. There are oils which are more than sufficient for wellness treatments, but if more is intended, then they are not enough. There are oils that are suitable for all three types of constitution and there are those that help to balance the too strong or too weak dosha.

It does not always have to be oil. There are massages with herbal or seeds powders. These may have a peeling effect in wellness which they retain in medical treatments too. The purpose of such a dry massage with crushed herbs or seeds is to increase the capacity of the skin to absorb the subsequent oil. There are also massages with cotton bags filled with a variety of things - depending on the targeted effect, it could be rice cooked in a herbal decoction or in milk, or they could be pure herbal extracts, with or without oil.

How can a consumer protect himself against dubious offers?

By getting informed before pre-booking Ayurveda treatments. The best way is to get your constitutional type and the current state determined by an Ayurvedic physician. It is of great help if the doctor determines applications and recommends an Ayurveda service provider. If this is not possible, then  get informed about the training of the masseur or therapist before booking. Take a critical view of the hygienic conditions of the devices used. If it is suspected that oils are used multiple times, register that date with another institution. Make sure that the oil is suitable for use for your constitution and that it is administered after being warmed to at least body temperature. Not every base oil is suitable for every constitution. You must enquire about the trade mark and the trader. In all cases, only oils free of pesticides and other harmful substances must be used.