Frequently Asked Questions About Ayurveda

Q. What is Ayurved?

A. Ayurved is an ancient healing system, wherein “Ayu” means Life and “Veda” means knowledge. Ayurveda originated as part of ‘Vedic Science’. The fundamentals of Ayurveda can be found in all the Vedic scriptures viz. Rugveda, Atharvaveda, Yajurved and Samaved. This is an integral spiritual science devised to give a comprehensive understanding of the entire universe, which it sees as working according to a single law.

Q. How does it differ from Allopathy?

A. Ayurved is a complete and independent science by itself. It has its own concepts of human anatomy, physiology, pathology and treatment.

Ayurvedic philosophy encompasses the living and the non-living. Ayurveda, traditionally, involves a holistic treatment of the entire human being and our full cosmic nature.

As ayurved has its own views about a diseases process, which is different from that of allopathy, the treatment of a particular ailment may differ in many of the diseases.

Q. What role does Ayurved plays in treatment of chronic diseases like asthma, arthritis, skin diseases etc?

A. Ayurved can provide better solution for chronic diseases like asthma, arthritis, skin diseases etc. Correct use of ayurvedic medicine can provide symptomatic as well as long-term benefits in such diseases. If used judiciously, ayurvedic medicine does not produce any side effect and safe for long term use. In fact in such cases allopathic medicines have to be used in increasing dosage and then too they loose their effect after prolonged use.

Q. Does it have any role in serious diseases like coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebral vascular disease, malignancies etc?

A. Ayurved does offer comparatively better and effective medical management of major diseases like coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular disease, malignancies etc. However, in advance cases, the surgical management with the help of modern technology is necessary. At “Ayurlife”, we propose to treat CAD with ayurvedic medicines, preceded and followed by angiography, to endorse the effectiveness of ayurvedic treatment.

Q. What is Panchakarma?

A. Panchakarma is a very powerful healing technique. To maintain health and alleviate diseases, Ayurved advocates “Panchakarma” as a powerful purification process to eliminate mental, physical and emotional toxins. Panchakarma literally means “pancha” meaning five and “karma” meaning actions or therapies. It is a five-fold purification therapy aimed at correcting the imbalance of bodily humors viz. vata, pitta and kapha in order to maintain their inherent equilibrium.

Q. Is there Ayurvedic therapy to bring about rejuvenation or to delay ageing or to maintain youthfulness?

A. The aim of Ayurved is to maintain or preserve health in healthy person and second is to cure the disease in diseased person. To achieve these goals different means, methods and regimen have been described.

The first objective of Ayurved i.e. 'swasthasya swasthya rakshanam', is to be achieved by promoting strength and immunity by the means of 'vrishya chikitsa' (aphrodisiac) and 'rasayana chikitsa' (rejuvenation treatment). It also includes enhancement of life, intelligence and strength along with the capability to alleviate diseases.

Rasayana tantra is one of the eight branches of Ayurved. This branch deals with vaya sthapan (age stabilizers), ayushkara (life promoters), medha kara (intellect promoters), bala kara (strength promoters), and also roga hara (disease curative) therapeutics.

Thus overall effect of rasayana is on the basic functional units of the human body. It improves nutritional status and the better qualities of seven dhatu, which lead to a series of relative attributes of rasayana such as longevity, immunity against diseases, improve mental and intellectual ability, etc by direct enrichment of the nutritional quality of rasa dhatu.

Q. Is it safe to use ayurvedic therapies in newborn babies, very small children and aged people?

A. Under a guidance and supervision of a qualified ayurvedic physician, it is safe to use ayurvedic therapies in newborn babies, very small children and aged people.

Q. Is it true that good and effective ayurvedic treatment is very expensive?

A. Ayurvedic treatments for common medical problems are not very expensive. However, like conventional medicine, specialized treatment required for certain ailments like coronary artery disease, malignancy, rejuvenation, aphrodisiacs etc. are little expensive. At “Ayurlife”, we will treat deserving patients at concessional rate.

Q. Is it true that ayurvedic treatment is to be continued for very long period of time?

A. The duration of treatment depends on various factors like type of disease, duration of disease, age of the patient, type of medicines used, nutritional status of patient etc.

Q. How does the patient know that the doctor treating him has a proper medical qualification?

A. Now in India, the uniform degree awarded by the competent Universities after graduation for the qualified ayurvedic physician is B.A.M.S (Bachlor of Ayurvedic Medicines & Surgary). The postgraduate degree awarded is M.D (Ayurved) in various disciplines. At “Ayurlife” we use medicines, which are prepared under very strict quality control measures.

Q. How does the patient know that the doctor treating him is using genuine ayurvedic medicines?

A. One should consult only with the qualified ayurvedic physician. If in doubt, one can always get the medicines analised by an approved laboratory.

Q. Can a patient take ayurvedic medicines (which are advertised in media), without consulting an ayurvedic specialist?

A. No, one should consult an ayurvedic physician before taking any medicines.

Q. How does ayurvedic massage differs from the massage given at beauty parlors or massage parlors?

A. Ayurvedic massage (abhyanga) is a therapeutic procedure, which is used independently or as a pre treatment to other panchakarma procedures. In abhyanga, whole body is massaged with specific medicated oils as per the need of the patient. It nourishes and revitalizes the body tissues (Dhatus) and to allows the toxins to be removed from the cells. Abhyanga has much deeper and far-reaching effects than an ordinary massage.