Traditional Medicine

Traditional System

      Thiruvananthapuram: The centuries-old tradition of ancient Indian Ayurveda is fast turning Kerala into a global medical tourism destination, attracting tourists as well as International celebrities to the state.

       When British super model Naomi Campbell landed in Kerala last year for an Ayurvedic massage session at Leela Kovalam Beach hotel, she was only affirming the efficacy of the Indian healing system with God's Own Country as its torch-bearer in modern times.

       According to sources in Kerala Tourism department, those who visited the state in recent times included Italian film director Bernardo Bertolucci, known for his global hits like Last Tango in Paris and The Last Emperor, who came to the state for Ayurvedic treatment for a nagging ailment.

        German TV and film actress Ingeborg Schoener (77) has been trooping into the state for the last eight years for Ayurveda treatment.

        Completely cured of her painful knee problem, she told the tourism officials that she had stopped allopathic treatments.

        Thanks to Ayurveda, I feel fantastic. I make ghee at home and have stopped using oil to fry food. I do my yoga, drink a glass of hot water first thing in the morning and buy one-year worth of Ayurvedic medicines," a spokesperson for the department quoted her as saying.

        Pop star Madonna, Hollywood actress Demi Moore and Cherie Blair, wife of former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, have also used Ayurveda for their well-being.

       Back home, former Prime Minister A B Vajpayee is an ardent believer in the healing properties of Ayurveda's Panchakarma therapy.

       After his visit to Kumarakom lake-side resort, from where he famously "mused" on the state of the affair of the nation in 2000, Mr Vajpayee told people around him that he felt very relaxed after Ayurveda therapy in Kerala.

        The list of celebrities from the showbiz world, sports and politics, fascinated by Ayurvedas power to rejuvenate, detoxify and cure, is a never ending one.
 

Herbal Medicine

Five Popular Ayurvedic Herbs

Ayurvedic herbs are a key component of ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India. In general, practitioners use ayurvedic herbs to cleanse the body, boost defense against disease, and keep the mind, body, and spirit in balance. Other healing approaches and techniques (including massage, yoga, and specialized diets) are also central to ayurvedic medicine. Along with ayurvedic herbs, practitioners frequently use certain therapeutic oils and spices to treat illness and promote well-being.

Triphala
       Triphala is a botanical formula that contains three different ayurvedic herbs (amla, myrobalan, and belleric myrobalan). Test-tube studies suggest that triphala may offer antioxidant effects and strengthen the immune system, while animal research shows that the herb may lower cholesterol levels and suppress the growth of certain types of cancer cells.

 Guggul
An ayurvedic herb traditionally used to cut cholesterol levels, guggul was found to benefit adults with moderately high cholesterol in a 2009 study. However, an earlier study found that participants taking guggul for eight weeks actually experienced an increase in their levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol.

Boswellia
Sourced from the resin of the boswellia tree, boswellia extract is rich in boswellic acid (a substance shown to fight inflammation). Several small clinical trials indicate that this ayurvedic herb may aid in the treatment of several inflammation-related conditions, including ulcerative colitis, asthma, and arthritis.


Gotu Kola
A number of small studies show that gotu kola may help ease anxiety, improve mood, and treat varicose veins. In ayurveda, gotu kola is often used to alleviate mental fatigue, manage asthma, and soothe fever.

Fenugreek
Often used to soothe irritation in ayurveda, fenugreek has been found to lower cholesterol levels, protect against alcohol-induced liver damage, and keep blood sugar in check (which may in turn aid in diabetes prevention). However, most of the research on this ayurvedic herb's health effects has been conducted on animals rather than in humans.

AYURVEDA

Dhanvantari a manifestation of Krishna is called as “Lord of Ayurveda”. It is a system of traditional system. It gives auxiliary knowledge to the people Ayurveda is defined as a system which uses the inherit principles of nature it helps to maintain the health of the person by keeping the body, mind and spirit in perfect symmetry with nature.

Ayurveda is derived from a Sanskrit word. It is form by the words “ayus” and “veda”. Ayus means life and veda means knowledge. Therefore Ayurveda means “knowledge of life”. It is the oldest form of healthcare in the world. Ayurveda originated in India before thousands of years. The Hindu scripture “Vedas” denotes the fundamental of ayurveda in it.

Rig Veda contains a series of prescriptions that can help human to triumph over various ailments and it was written before 6000 years. It helps to thwart illness, mend the sick and to safeguard life. To shelter health we ought to use “swasthyas swasthya rakshanam”. To get rid of diseases we must use “aturasya vikar prashamanamcha”.

Ayurveda is based on the principle that the earth is made up of five elements such as air, fire, water, earth and ether. These are represented in doshas which embrace Vata, Kapha and Pitta. If all the doshas are in standard our body will function properly and our spirit will be cheerful.

TRIDOSHA:

 The three bio-energies and doshas are institute in our body they are as follows:

1)     Vata

2)    Kapha

3)    Pitta

Vata is nothing but pertains air and other elements. This energy is seen as force which directs nerve impulses, movement, respiration, and purging. Kapha refers for shield and growth. It consists of water and earth elements. While Pitta refers to fire and water elements. This governs metabolism.

  

PANCHAKARMA: 

         It is moreover called as “therapy of purification”. Panchakarma cleans the toxins in our body which are copious. This cleansing therapy consists of fivefold major treatment in ayurveda.

1)      Therapeutic vomiting or emesis (Vaman)

2)     Purgation (Virechan)

3)     Enema (Basti)

4)     riddance of Toxins through the nose (Nasya)

5)     Bloodletting or detoxification of the blood (Rakta Moksha)

BENEFITS OF AYURVEDA:

1)      There will be no side effects.

2)     It gives leisure to mind and health.

3)     It gives familiarity about life and world.

4)     It improves concentration power.

5)     There will be stronger immune system.

6)     It prevents from diseases.

7)     Sense control will be good.

ADVANTAGES OF AYURVEDA:

  It is remedial in nature.

  It is non noxious.

  Ayurveda is used only by herbs, flowers and plants.

  It improves spiritual characteristics of people.

  Medications on ayurveda are only come by pure natural sources.

DISADVANTAGES OF AYURVEDA:

  There is no evidence for the medicines which is used for patients. We don’t know whether it works or not.

  Therapies and surgeries are always needed.

  Ayurvedic centers for treatment are less in number.

THE GOAL OF AYURVEDA:

Each one has inimitable combination of ayurvedic body. It determines our formation that means prakruti. The main goal of Ayurveda is too bring back our factual charter and to restore balance in our body.