Background on Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an ancient science relating to health and longevity based on man's relationship with nature and natural elements. It is assumed to be emanating in Atharvaveda, and developed by the Brahmans during the period they expounded and wrote the "Aranyakas" (forest treatises) in seclusion in the forest, around 3000 BC. During this seclusion, depending largely on fruits, herbs, tubers and other plant and mineral materials for food and health, they delved into the natural kingdom and discovered the Gunas & Doshas of a large variety of vegetable & mineral substances and their use in health & sickness.

During the reign of Ashoka(2912-232 BC), there were about 700 vegetable drugs which were used by the Vaidyas. Today the Indian Materia Medica contains about 2,000 drugs, a majority of which are Vegetable origin.

TRIDOSHA THEORY OF AYURVEDA Unlike the "specialisation" or "fragmentary" approach of modern medicine, the approach of Ayurveda is of a "whole" or "totality".

The basic theory of Vata, Pitta & Kapha begins where the modern Physiology ends.

Vata - implies the phenomena which come under the functions of the Central and Sympathetic Nervous Systems.

Pitta - signifies the functions of Thermogenesis or heat production and Metabolism, including in its scope digestion, coloration of the blood and various secretions & excretion which are either the means or the ends of tissue combustion.

Kapha - implies the functions of thermo-taxis i.e., heat regulation and secondary formation of various preservative fluids e.g., mucus, synovila fluid etc.

All individuals are predominantly classified by one of the types, with secondary feature in their system of the other types.

Imbalances in the systems are also classified in the same types and corrective procedures and medication are taken to correct these imbalances, to restore and enhance health & life.