TKDL - FAQ

Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word which consists of two different words; Ayuh and Veda. Ayurveda means 'the science of life'. Since life is known as 'the union of the mind, body and spirit', Ayurvedic science imparts the knowledge with regard to what substances, properties and actions are promotive of life and what are not so. Ayurveda as described by the eminent scholar Acharya Charaka is that it deals with good, bad, happy and unhappy life, its promoters and non-promoters, measure and nature. The subject matter of Ayurveda is not the physical body alone. It also deals with the mental, emotional and spiritual aspects. Thus, the subject matter of Ayurveda is not only a physical body but the mind, body and spirit - the tripod. Ayurveda gives us the formula for living a long life filled with joy.

2. How old is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is said to originate from the Vedas. Veda means pure state of knowledge. As a preventive science and medical system, it was described thousands of years ago in the Atharva Veda (one of the four Vedas). Vedas date back an estimated 5,000 years, and hence, Ayurveda is widely considered to be the oldest form of health care in the world. Ayurveda has influenced many other medical sciences. For this reason, Ayurveda is often referred to as the 'mother of all healing.'

3. What are the eight branches of Ayurveda?

1. Internal medicine (Kaya Chikitsa)

2. E.N.T - ear, nose, throat and surgery of head and neck and opthalmology (Shalakya Chikitsa)

3. Surgery (Shalya Chikitsa)

4. Toxicology (Agadatantra )

5. Psychiatry (Manasroga Chikitsa)

6. Pediatrics and gynaecology (Balaroga Chikitsa)

7. Rejuvenation (Rasayana)

8. Study of sexual function and reproduction (Vajikarana Chikitsa)

4. What is the principle objective of Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is bestowed upon us by our ancestors, who were eminent and wise and had insight into our being. Basically, Ayurveda is health promotive - preventive - curative and nutritive - all self-contained.

The two principle objectives of Ayurveda are:

(a.) ‘स्वस्थस्य स्वास्थ्य रक्षणं ‘

(Swasthasya swasthya rakshanam) meaning ‘To prolong life and promote perfect health (add years to life and life to years)’

(b.) ‘आतुरस्य विकार प्रशमनं ‘

(Aturasya vikar prashamanamcha) meaning ‘To completely eradicate the disease and dysfunction of the body.’

Ayurveda takes the individual as a whole and seeks to re-establish harmony between all the constituents of the body. Perfect balance of the Tridand namely, the mind (Satva), body (Sharir) and spirit (Atma) means perfect health.

5. What is the definition of health according to Ayurveda?

Ayurveda has a holistic concept of health. Disease-free status of the body alone does not mean health. Health (Swasthya) means to be 'established in the self'.

The Ayurvedic view of a healthy person is:

समदोषः समाग्निश्च समधातु मलःक्रियाः।

प्रसन्नात्मेन्द्रियमनः स्वस्थइतिअभिधीयते॥ (सुश्रुत संहिता सूत्रस्थान १५/१०)

(Samadosha, Samagnischa, Samadhatumalkriyah, Prasannatmendriyamanah, Swastha iti abhidhiyate - Sushruta Samhita, Sutrasthan, Chapter 15, Shloka 10)

It means -

'He whose doshas are in balance, appetite is good, all tissues of the body and all natural urges are functioning properly, and whose mind, body and spirit (self) are cheerful or full of bliss, is a healthy person.'

6. What is the ayurvedic viewpoint of the structure and function of body?

The universe, as well as the human body, are made up of five basic elements collectively called ‘Panch Mahabhootas’. These are Ether (Aakash), Air (Vayu), Fire (Agni), Water (Aapa) and Earth (Prithvi). The sixth mandatory component of life is life spirit (Atma) without which life ceases. The human body is made up of bio-humours or bio-energies (Doshas), body matrix (Dhatus) and excretable products (Malas). Vata, Pitta and Kapha, known as Tridoshas are physiological entities of the body which are responsible for carrying out all the functions of the body. Dhatus are the structural entities of the body. These are plasma (Rasa), blood cells (Rakta), muscular tissue (Mamsa), fatty tissue (Meda), bony tissue (Asthi), bone marrow (Majja) and hormonal and other secretions of genitals (Shukra). Metabolic fire (Agni) is in thirteen different forms and carries out the whole metabolism of the body.The waste products of the body which are excretable are produced in the body as by-products of metabolism. These are known as malas which include faeces (Pureesh), sweat (Sweda) and urine (Mutra). All biotransformations within the body occur through body channels (Srotas) which are the sites for the action of Agni.

7. How does Ayurveda approach diagnosis and treatment of diseases?

Ayurvedic approach to diagnose the illness is very systematic and scientific. The logical thoroughness and minuteness of methods employed in inquiry and investigation of each and every factor or phenomenon of the patient concerning habit, constitution, illness and environment are the prime factors for the perfect diagnosis. Tridosha (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) are the three bio-humours, which govern the body. The concept of these three bio-humours is unique. Balance of Tridosha means perfect health, and this is the basic principle of Ayurveda. The theory of Tridosha - the three bio-humours, is very similar to concepts of immunology and stress. The Ayurvedic approach to lifestyle (Swasthavritta) teaches us the practical rules of behavior that prevent Tridosha from being disturbed because every disturbance in the normal balance of Tridosha, results in an illness. In Ayurveda, primary attention is given to re-establish or balance the Tridosha.

8. What is Tridosha?

Vata, Pitta and Kapha are the names of Tridoshas - Vata (air), Pitta (bile) and Kapha (phlegm). Doshas are basically three different forms of energy. The three doshas contain two of the five elements as any other matter. The Doshas work as a team in a natural healthy individual. The perfect balance of these three Doshas (energies) is the basis of well-being. These constituents give specific properties to Doshas with each Dosha having one property particular to itself and two opposite to others. Hence the character of Doshas is influenced mainly by what is eaten as also by temperature, season, mental state, etc. In most persons, either one or a combination of Doshas would be dominant. This defines the constitution of the person.

9. How does Tridosha work?

Ayurveda describes each individual as a state of balance of the three doshas, which govern different aspects of the body. Vata dosha controls the principle of transportation, Pitta dosha controls internal processes such as digestion and metabolism, while Kapha dosha encompasses our bodily protection, strength and growth. Because no two people have the same combination of these three doshas, everyone is a unique individual and individualized care and attention is needed for the treatment. When an imbalance occurs, proper diet and lifestyle changes can be implemented to restore the balance. In such a case, one may be advised for specific dosha-reducing /aggravating foods, activities and medications or for Panchakarma (an internal cleansing system of treatment mentioned in Ayurveda).

10. What is Vata Dosha and what are its effects?

If Doshas are dynamic energies, Vata Dosha is the kinetic energy. The Word 'Vata' means that 'which moves'. Vata dosha is the initiator of all forms of activity. It is important in the communication network of the body; from sense organ to brain and consciousness, from tissue to tissue and cell to cell. Vata is responsible for perception (that includes pain), assimilation and reaction. It brings a thought from memory to consciousness and transfers current experience into memories. It inspires speech and is the base of laughter and exaltation. At the level of the physical body, it is responsible for micro and macro movement. Vata is cerebral. Stress vitiates Vata which in turn alters Pitta or Kapha leading to a wide variety of symptoms. Lack of sleep, excessive physical activity and long hours of fasting also vitiate Vata. There are five types of Vata Dosha.

11. What is 'Pitta Dosha' and what are its effects?

'Pitta dosha' is responsible for all types of transformations in the body. Pitta controls digestion of food as well as the conversion of light rays falling on the retina to electric impulses. In the brain, there is a local Pitta Dosha, responsible for comprehension and analysis of data received. A person with pre-determined Pitta Dosha is highly intelligent, quick to process sensory inputs and able to reach decisions promptly. Pitta controls emotions like anger, fear and bravado. Pitta controls the digestion of food, it is responsible for hunger, appetite and thirst. It gives shine to the skin. In contrast to Vata, Pitta is more physical. There are five types of Pitta Dosha.

12. What is Kapha Dosha and what are its effects ?

'Kapha Dosha', is also termed as phlegm. It is the cohesive energy in the body, it smoothes out problems, lubricates and provides support when needed. If Vata is kinetic energy, Kapha is potential energy. Kapha is very close to tissues and like Pitta, it has a greater physical form than Vata. It shares many of the properties of the tissue it influences. It is antithesis of Vata and is protective in nature. Its main property is stability. In contrast to Pitta, Kapha denotes loyalty, compassion and love. A predominance of this Dosha makes a person forgiving in nature free from envy and endowed with patience. It gives mental strength and resistance to diseases. It gives firmness to joints while keeping them lubricated. It also enhances sexual potency. There are five types of Kapha Dosha.

13. What should be the approach to lifestyle according to Ayurveda?

Health is greatly influenced by lifestyle (Swasthavritta). According to Ayurveda, lifestyle (the rules and guidelines) is divided into three parts:

-- Diet and regimen for the daytime (Dincharya)

-- Diet and regimen for the night (Ratricharya)

-- Seasonal diet and regimen (Ritucharya) and diet instructions for the joint period of two seasons (Ritusandhi)

One more thing that is very helpful for the knowledge of proper lifestyle is 'Samsarjan karma' which means specific diet program after illness or after Panchakarma treatments. For perfect health and disease-free body status, one must follow these instructions.

14. What are the modes of Ayurvedic treatment?

The principles of treatment are purification (Shodhana), palliative and conservative (Shaman), avoidance of causative and precipitating factors of disease (Nidan parivarjan) and do's and don'ts regarding diets and lifestyle (Pathya Vyavastha). Shodhana therapy includes medically induced emesis (Vamana), medically induced laxation (Virechana), medicated enema (Vasti), administration of medicines through nose (Shirovirechana) and blood-letting (Raktmokshana). These therapeutic procedures are collectively known as ‘Panchakarma’. Before executing Panchakarma treatment, ‘Poorvakarma’ such as oleation (Snehana) and inducing perspiration (Swedana) are to be employed.

15. What is the importance of Ayurvedic procedures?

These are basically therapeutic measures taken either to prevent diseases or cure them. Thus Ayurvedic procedures are done either to detoxify the body or as a prelude to strengthening the immune system. ‘Panchakarma’ or five procedures is the most sought after anti-aging, detoxification therapy.

16. What is Panchakarma?

The pre-procedures of Panchakarma are called ‘Poorvakarma’ and consists of digestion (Pachana), oleation (Snehana), fomentation and (Swedana). Basic objective of Panchakrama (five internal detoxification procedures) is to remove the excessive accumulated toxins, which causes the vitiation of Doshas. If any dosha is imbalanced, either due to environment or dietary factors it is often difficult to normalize it with diet and drugs alone. If used as a therapeutic measure Panchakarma can be done at any time of the year, i.e., at the time the disease occurs. If one uses Panchakarma as a preventive measure, it should be used at the appropriate time for each Dosha and also according to Ritu.

17. What are the five procedures in Panchakarma therapy?

1. Induced vomiting (Vamana)

2. Purgation (Virechana)

3. Medicinal enema (Vasti)

4. Nasal administration of substances (Nasya)

5. Blood letting (Raktamokshana).

18. What is Vamana?

Induced vomiting (Vamana) is intended to remove the Kapha dosha. It is not to be adopted for Kapha only but necessarily in case of conjunction of Kapha with one or both the other Doshas. Vamana is essential in the case of food poisoning or other types of poisoning. Vamana employs certain emetic drugs that induce a severe spell of vomiting to clean the upper gut. Bronchial asthma is prevented by periodically inducing Vamana.

19. What is Virechana?

Purging (Virechana) is a purification treatment as important as emesis or vomiting. Virechana concentrates on the lower part of the gut and uses purgatives to clean the bowel. This procedure helps in getting rid of all three Doshas, though Pitta and Kapha benefit the most. This is used to cure piles, boils, discolouration of the face, jaundice, chronic fever, spleen enlargement, cataract, intestinal disorders, ailments of the womb, arthritis, constipation, diabetes, skin diseases, tumours, asthma, cough, ailments of the head and many other diseases.

20. What is Vasti?

The classical text of ‘Ashtanga Hridaya’ says, “a purge properly carried out leads to clarity of intellect, power to the organs, elemental stability and glow to digestive fire and it delays aging”. Medical enema or Vasti predominates in the five courses of treatment (Panchakarma). This is prescribed for Vata dominated patients and helps to overcome all diseases, revives vital forces and rejuvenates the body. The rectal lining is very permeable and the drug reaches the circulation directly without passing through the liver. Ayurveda offers Vasti as a therapy for several indications. These are digestive, evacuating, rejuvenating and health promotive Vastis. In general, Vastis tackle Vata Dosha the best. The fluid for Vasti is either medicinal decoction or herbal oil to suit the ailment. Vasti for the head (Shirovasti) gives extra ordinary relief for all ailments connected with Vata in the head, ear ache, humming in the ear, deafness, numbness of the head and all ailments based on the cranial nerves. This procedure is usually done for seven days.

21. What is Nasya?

Nasya or nasal administration of substances is essential for more or less all the ailments above the neck. This is effective for many diseases like facial paralysis. Nasya is of three types: purgative, nourishing and palliative. For each ailment, a substance that gives desirable result is selected. By this procedure, shoulders, neck and face will become dense and firm, and the skin soft. All organs become firm and hair will not gray.

22. What is Raktomokshana?

Raktamokshana is an effective blood purification therapy, in which small quantities of impure blood is removed under controlled conditions to neutralise accumulated toxins. This is done when excess toxicity of rakta and pitta has occurred, so much so that it cannot be cured by herbs or any other procedure.

23. How is Ayurveda different from modern medicine?

Ayurveda focuses on cause, not just the symptom. While modern medicine may treat all persons more or less the same; according to Ayurvedic principles no two individuals are the same since they have different constitution (prakriti). Each person is therefore treated as per their constitution. Ayurveda makes its special contribution by addressing the uniqueness of each patient and by helping body to heal itself.