Ayurveda is an ancient medical science, originating over 5000 years ago in what is now the Indian subcontinent. The early wisdom of sages were passed on by word of mouth and became a formal science when they were written down is ancient books of knowledge known as the Vedas.
The Vedas contain practical and scientific information on diverse subjects including philosophy, logic, engineering, agriculture, economics and politics, among other subjects.
Vedic knowledge propounds the principle of natural balance within the body and harmony with the environment. People are seen as an integral part of their habitat - not as a separate entity from the natural world. Obtaining and maintaining balance within the body and mind, and with the external environment, is one of the goals of this knowledge. Living in harmony with nature and according to natural principles ensures complete physical health and peace of mind.
Modern life often violates the principles of natural living. We work long hours in offices with artificial light and air conditioning systems. We rush from one mundane task to the next while being bombarded with advertising and constant noise, and absorbing pollution through the air and water. Pure water and air are becoming scarce resources, in an environment that is becoming increasingly toxic to the humans that live in it.
Living naturally according to simple principles can prevent the need for expensive medical treatment or suffering needlessly from debilitating conditions. Learning to listen to your body and read the signals of distress can help you maintain health, making you more productive and contented in your life.
So, is this ancient wisdom secret, or only available to a fortunate few? Or are the principles hard to comprehend and difficult to apply? You will be pleasantly surprised to know it is easily followed by anyone and can be adapted to your lifestyle starting today. It does not require any equipment or expert knowledge, and costs practically nothing maintaining your health is based on nothing more complex than understanding the characteristics of your body and the food you eat. Many of the remedies for common ailments are found in your kitchen.
The four important facets of applying Ayurveda to your everyday life are
Exercise
Cleansing/rejuvenating/preventing.
Emotional balance.
Modern day diets along with stress are the major cause of illness and aging. It has been established that populations that consume naturally grown food in unpolluted environments living stress free lives, live longer and their blood bio chemistry shows far less aging than populations in those chasing the elusive dream of fame and fortune.
Your diet is of utmost importance, excessive intake of salts, fats, red meat, alcohol, smoking, late nights are all contributory factors to aging and ill health. Ayurveda promotes balance in everything and does not advocate extremes, therefore a little of everything is acceptable however when excesses take place the mind, body and soul are imbalanced leading to disease and aging.
Exercise is an extremely important activity, you don't need to be a world class athlete, you just need to exercise and Ayurveda prescribes Yoga exercises that addresses not just your physical being but also your mind and soul by relaxing, cleansing and oxygenating your blood. Brisk walks, swimming, other non-impact moderate sports are recommended to ensure a healthy body and mind.
Cleansing/rejuvenating/preventing: The human body is an intricate piece of machinery, more complicated and fragile than the most powerful nuclear plant. The ability of the body to restore itself is amazing, yet we need to create an environment for the body to be able to replenish and rejuvenate. As with any machine, cleansing (detoxification) is essential. We clean our water filters, our vacuum cleaners, wash our clothes yet most of us never think of cleaning our body from inside. It is inside us that disease originates and the accumulation of years of toxins and stress leads to disease and aging.
Ayurveda is the only form of medicines that advocates internal cleansing, rejuvenation and prevention to promote harmony of the mind body and soul.
The skin is the largest organ of the body and most of us disregard the importance of a healthy skin. We apply all kinds of cosmetic products that are absorbed by the skin and enters our blood stream, chemicals and fragrances used in cosmetics, shampoos etc. are highly dangerous usually made from tar compounds, highly evolved industrial chemicals that cause auto immune disorders and actually promotes aging rather than controlling it. Ayurveda is the oldest system of cosmetology in the world and is famous for its natural beauty therapies used by Queens and Princesses for thousands of years.
The author is an expert of Natural products with over 32 years of research experience.