Exploring the Key Basic Principles of Ayurveda: Uncovering the Ancient Wisdom of Indian Traditional Ayurvedic Medicine

BASIC PRINCIPLES IN AYURVEDA

Ayurveda describes three principle universal energies which regulate all natural processes and produces effects in the various galax- ies and solar systems operating at the level of human physiology.

Ayurveda medicine complements nature and a lifestyle close to nature by promoting harmony between the individual and nature for a balanced lifestyle according to nature's laws. Rather than focusing on individual symptoms of a disease ayurveda treatment focuses on establishing and maintaining the balance of the life energies in human beings.

Recognising the unique constitution- al differences of each individual, Ayurveda medicine prescribes differ- ent treatments and therapies for each individual.

Ayurveda seeks to heal the fragmen- tation and disorder of the mind-body complex and restore wholeness and harmony, through preserving the alli- ance of the mind and body that offers sustainable cure for diseases.

The whole universe includes the material world, plant kingdom, and all other living beings, a view consistent with the system of medicine in Ayurveda which sees interconnectedness in all things. In other words, these five elements together form the basis of all matter.

The five elements are - Akasha (ether), Vayu (air), Agni (fire), Jala (water), Prithvi (earth) .There is a bal- anced condensation of these ele- ments in different proportions to suit the needs and requirements of differ- ent structures and functions of the body matrix and its parts. The growth and development of body matrix de- pends on its nutrition i.e. on food. The food, in turn, is composed of above elements. The health or sickness depends on the presence or absence of a balanced state of the total body matrix, including the balance between its different constituents, which is a core concept in Ayurvedic medicine.

All potentialties exist within PURUSHA higher consciousness

MAHAD is transcendental celestial inteligence.

BUDOMI is individual intellect on mind.

AHAMKARA is the feeling of "I am" in every organism.

PRAKRUTI is the absoluteness of absolute nature, the matrix of the manifested universe when desire disrupts or evolves

PHYSICAL BODY

SATTVA is essence. RAJAS is novement. TAMAS is inertia.

Every atom of the human body is a fragment

of Purusha and every cell is a center of awareness.

The pulse is the individual's psychophysiology and

a flow of consciousness represented by the three doshas: 

Vata, Pitta and Kapha

VATA: Consists ether and air qualities, PITTA: Consists fire and water qualities, KAPHA: Consists water and earth qualities

The properties, location, and manifestations of these elements are as follows, illustrating the basic principles of Ayurveda in understanding the human body.

1.ETHER: is nonresistance, it is located in the body cavities like mouth, thorax, abdomen, lung cavity, digestive tract.

2.AIR: is related to movements, vibrations and oscillations. They manifest movement of muscles, pulsation of heart, expansion and contraction of lungs, functioning of digestive and nervous systems.

3.FIRE: concerned to radiation, it manifests digestion, metabolism, temperature, vision and intelligence

4.WATER: is related to force and cohesion. Located in cytoplasm, blood, salivary glands, gastric juice.

5.EARTH: is concerned to resistance and solidarity. They manifest skin, nails, hairs, and bones, elements considered in Ayurvedic medicine for diagnoses and treatment.

They are also closely related to our ability to perceive and interact with environment. TRIDOSHAS

The five elements combine to form "Tri Doshas" i.e. Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, fundamental elements in Ayurvedic medicine that determine physical, mental, and emotional well-being. They are the "Basic Forces" and also known as the "Pillars of Life" Vata (Air principle) the elements ether and air Pitta (Fire principle) the elements fire and water Kapha (Water principle) the elements earth and water According to the Ayurveda, sickness is due to the imbalance of any one or more of the three doshas

What are the 5 pillars of Ayurveda?

5 pillars of ayurveda refers to the fundamental principles that formas basic of ayurvedic tretament ,diagnosis and philisophy .They are absolutely necessary to understand the principles of ayurveda effectively 

Dosas are central to the basic principles of Ayurveda, dictating the individual's constitution and health. 

They are nothing but biological energies -vata ,pitha and kapha .They are responsible for various physiological and psychological functioning of the body .Each individual has a unique constitution determined by predominant dosas at the time of conception .Understanding dosas is very much needed  for the proper diagnosis of the diseases

Dhatus 

They are nothing but the tissues .These dhatus are formed sequentially through the process of assimilation ,digestion and metabolism .They are rasa ,raktha ,mamsa,medas ,asthi ,majja ,sukram .They are essential for the vitality and strength of the body 

Mala 

They are nothing but the waste products of the body .Primary malas a re mootra,purisha and sweda .Proper elimination of malas is crucial for teh smooth functioning of the body 

Agni 

They are nothing but the digestive fire responsible for the transforming food to energy and nutrients .There are several types of agni like jataragni ,bhutagni  and dhatuvagni .Balanced agni is essential for proper digestion ,assimilation of nutrients and elimination of waste from the body 

Ama 

They are nothing but toxins accumulated of undigested or incompletely digested food ,metabolic waste and toxins in the body .Ama is the root cause of all the diseases that clogs the srothas and impairs the tissue functioning 

Which are the 3 pillars of health according to Ayurveda?

The three pillars of health in ayurveda are

·        Ahara /diet 

Which emphasise the importance of balanced and nutritious diet based for the individual prakruthi .The diet followed should support the digestion based on the seasonal variation

·        Nidra /sleep 

Ample sleep is considered essential for maintaining the balance in body and mind 

·        Brahmacharya /celibacy 

It notes the moderation in all aspects of life like food intake, physical activity, sensory stimulation, emotional responses etc, embodying the therapeutic principles of Ayurvedic medicine.  

What are the 7 tissues of Ayurveda?

Dhatus are considered as tissues in the body .These represent different levels of structural and functional organisation within the body and sequentially formed as a part of teh metabolic process 

they are 

Rasa /plasma 

First tissue formed from after digestion and assimilation .It nourishes  and hydrates the body cells and tissues carrying nutrition and develops immune factors 

Raktha /blood 

This refers to blood which is formed from the nutrient absorbed from the digestive system .It carries oxygen ,nutrients ,hormones and immune cells to bodys tissues and organs ,It regulates temperature 

Mamsa /muscle, in Sanskrit, offers insight into the Ayurvedic perspective on bodily tissues and their functions. 

Which provides the structural support ,movements and strength to the body .Its formed from teh nutrient derived from the raktha dhatu 

Medas /fat 

It refers to the adipose tissue  formed from the excess nutrient that are not immediately utilized by the body for energy .It provides energy storage and makes a role in maintaining the lubrication and nourishment 

Asthi /bone 

It represents bone tissue which provides structural support ,protection and mineral storage .Its formed  from the nutrients derived from  medas and its associated with vata dosha

Majja /bone marrow 

It refers to bone marrow found within the cavities of bone .Responsible for the production of blood cells ,immune cells and fat cells .It helps and nourishes the immune functions ,heamatopoiesis and metabolic regulation .Its associated with asthi and majja dhatu 

Sukra /reproductive tissue 

It refers to semen in males and ovum in females .Its responsible for the fertility ,reproduction and sexual vitality .Its formed from the nutrients derived from a;; dhatus and its closely linked with kapha dosa and plays a role in maintaining the reproductive health 

What are the 7 Rasa in Ayurveda?

In Ayurved the concept of rasa refers to the taste . There are primary six rasas which is also called shad rasas 

They are 

1. Madhura /sweet 

Foods which are sweet 

Nourishing ,grounding ,building in nature 

Associate with earth and water element and kapha dosha 

Provides energy ,strength and satisfaction to the body 

2.Amla /sour 

Foods which are sour in tase 

Corresponds to element of fire and earth and pittha dosha 

Foods which are  sour ,acidic and stimulating in nature 

Responsible for stimulation of agni ,promote digestive enzymes 

3. Lavana /salty, a taste recognized in Ayurvedic medicine for its effects on health and balance. 

Foods which correspond to the water and fire element associated with Kapha, illustrating the fundamental principles of Ayurveda in dietary practices. 

Foods that are hydrating ,mineralizing and stimulating in nature 

Balance the electrolytes and stimulate digestion 

4. Katu /pungent 

Corresponds to fire and air element associated with vata 

Foods pungent in taste are healing ,drying and stimulating 

Promotes circulation ,metabolism and detoxification 

5. Thiktha /bitter 

Corresponds to air and ether associated with vata 

Bitter foods are cooling, cleansing and purifying 

They help to detoxify, reduce inflammation, and balance excess pitta 

6. Kashaya /astringent 

Corresponds to air and earth elements associated with vata 

Astringent foods are toning and cooling 

Helps to absorb moisture, tighten tissues and promote healing 

However, some modern interpretations of Ayurveda represent the presence of 7th taste that's umami which refers to a meaty or savory taste 

Some classics present Kshara as the seventh taste which refers to an alkaline taste, According to Ayurveda.

Defining Scope In Ayurveda: What It Is And Why It Matters?

In ayurveda defining scope refers to the delineating the boundaries and parameters of prakruthi ,health condition and treatment plan .It involves  in assessing various factors of body including dosa ,health status ,vikruthi ,agni ,satva and life style of the individual 

Defining scope is essential for reasons like 

·        Customized individualistic treatments 

·        Addressing the root cause of the diseases 

·        Holistic approaches 

·        Prevention than cure 

Its crucial for providing personalized holistic care that addresses the individual needs and promotes optimal health and well-being 

Is Ayurveda The Future Of Medical Science?

It may depend on various factors including integration with modern medicines, scientific research and advancements , cultural and societal perspectives and globalization 

What is the golden triangle in Ayurveda, and how does it relate to the fundamental principles of Ayurvedic medicine?

Three Essential practices that are considered fundamental for maintaining good health are 

Dinacharya /daily routine: this includes self-care designed to promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being daily, echoing the holistic approach of Ayurvedic medicine. 

Ritu charya /seasonal regimen: which includes focusing on and adapting one's lifestyle based on seasonal variations 

Sadvritha /code of conduct:  Encompasses ethical and moral principles that can support spiritual growth and promote mental and emotional well-being