The Philosophy
Ayurveda, which literally means science of life, is the traditional medical system of India. It originated in the ancient Vedic times of India and is the oldest and most complete system of natural medicine in the world. Some of the chronic disorders that can benefit from Ayurvedic treatment include asthma, diabetes mellitus, menopausal syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, hyperacidity, etc.
The basic principles of Ayurveda state that the world of matter arises from an underlying non-material field known as consciousness. This description is strikingly similar to that of physics, which also describes an underlying unified field from which matter arises. Loss of connection to this field results in an imperfect state of health that can range from mild imbalances to full-blown disease processes.
The Art
Diagnosis
Ayurveda adds a number of diagnostic techniques to the clinician’s repertoire. All of them are noninvasive and are thought to reveal much information about specific illnesses and underlying imbalances. Chief among these techniques is pulse diagnosis, which allows one to retrieve information signals present in the pulse.
Meditation
In Ayurveda, the ultimate basis of prevention and cure is restoring one’s conscious connection to (or memory of) the innermost core of one’s being and experience. The foremost modality for development of consciousness is meditation.
Diet and Digestion
Ayurveda has long considered problems of diet and digestion to be among the central causes of all disorders. Food is viewed as not only providing matter and energy to the body but also intelligence, order and balance.
Pharmacology
Ayurveda’s approach to pharmacology makes sophisticated use of thousands of herbs and other plants. The combination of plant chemicals in the herbs enhances their effectiveness and prevents toxic side effects.
Biological Rhythms
In Ayurveda, attuning the patient’s lifestyle to natural biorhythms is considered a crucial element of prevention and treatment.
Behavior, Emotions and the Senses
Behavior, speech and emotions are understood to have a profound effect on one’s well being. Emotions can be understood as fine fluctuations of consciousness. Ayruvedic theory holds that sensory input also impacts one’s health. Just as food is metabolized by the body, what one sees, hears, tastes, smells and touches is metabolized in various ways and has a tangible effect on one’s state of balance.
Collective Health
Ayurveda’s focus on strengthening immunity and its techniques for dealing directly with epidemics may offer a more effective and safer means of ensuring collective health than overuse of antibiotics.
Other Ayurveda Modalities (partial listing)
1. Detoxification therapy (Panchakarma)
2. Meditation
3. Breathing exercises (Pranayama)
4. Body postures (Asanas)
5. Use of architecture and interior design for optimal health (Vastu Shastra)
The Science
A 4/30/08 search of PubMed, a free library of life science journals, found 132 randomized clinical trials under the headings of Ayurveda, meditation or herbs. These studies found positive clinical response to Ayurvedic-related therapies for the following conditions:
Asthma, bronchitis
Anxiety, Depression
Hypertension
Coronary artery disease
Diabetes mellitus
Parkinson’s disease
Prostate disorders
Menopausal syndrome
Menstrual disorders
Cancer support therapy
Stress
Irritable bowel syndrome
Impaired immunity
Anxiety
Psoriasis
Other Scientific References
1. Sharma H, Clark C. Contemporary Ayurveda. London: Churchill Livingstone, 1998.
2. Sharma H, Mishra RK, with Meade JG. The Answer to Cancer. New York: SelectBooks, 2002.
3.Sharma H, Chandola HM, Singh G, Basisht G. Utilization of Ayurveda in health care: An approach for prevention, health promotion, and treatment of disease. Part 1- Ayurveda, the Science of Life. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2007; 13 (9): 1011-19.
4. Sharma H, Chandola HM, Singh G, Basisht G. Utilization of Ayurveda in health care: An approach for prevention, health promotion, and treatment of disease. Part 2- Ayurveda in primary health care. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2007; 13 (10): 1135-50.
5. Sharma H. Awakening Nature’s Healing Intelligence. Twin Lakes, WI: Lotus Press, 1997.
6. Mishra LC, ed. Scientific Basis for Ayurvedic Therapies. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 2004.
7. Kapoor LD. Handbook of Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1990.
8. Nadkarni KM, Nadkarni AK, eds. Indian Materia Medica, Vol. 1 & 2. Bombay: Popular Prakashan, 1976.
9. Lonsdorf N, Butler V, Brown M. A Woman’s Best Medicine. New York: Tarcher/Putnam, 1993.
www.nccam.nih.gov/health/backgrounds/wholemed
CIM Practitioner
Hari Sharma, MD, DABP, FRCPC, DABHM