The ayurvedic approach to healing is different from the western medicine. Based on three different personality types, seeks to treat individuals in a holistic perspective.
People become increasingly frustrated with the techniques of modern medicine. When they seek alternative treatments it is often in the realm of homeopathy, herbal remedies, and the ancient philosophy of Ayurveda. This system is based in the Hindu religion. The texts that originally described this system are said to be over 5,000 years old. This approach to healing is vastly different from the western approach to medicine. It is based on three different personality types, and seeks to treat an individual from a holistic perspective.
Ayurveda is different from traditional approaches to medicine because it approaches the body as a spiritual expression in the spiritual world. Western medicine treats the body as though it were a machine. If the arteries of the heart are clogged, some are borrowed from the leg to replace them. Drugs are given to deal with specific problems of the body. The body is dealt with in a part by part approach. In Ayurveda the sages state that life, or energy, is alive and intelligent. They see the life force and creative intelligence as divine. By this they consider life to be continually changing form, and taking on new images. The human body is merely a part of this continual transformation. Understanding the essential nature of reality allows the person to change their own state of health or emotional well being.
This system categorizes individuals into three doshas. These are the Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Everyone is a mixture of these three doshas, and usually has characteristics that make one predominant. Each of the three doshas determine which treatments and substances will be most helpful to the individual. New Choices in Natural Healing, edited by Bill Gottlieb provides inspiration on understanding the doshas.
The Vata person is creative, quick thinking and resourceful. The basic element associated with this type is air. Vatas are energetic and enjoy being active, and on the move. They tend to be soft-hearted, and make poor decisions in monetary matters. These individuals have a physical body that is light, dry skinned, and generally have curly hair. Vata energy is based in the colon and is prone to flatulence, twitches, joint problems, nervous disorders, and constipation. These people best maintain their life when they follow a strict schedule. People with the predominate Vata dosha should avoid sugar, alcohol, drugs, most raw foods, and ice cream. These people need warming spices, and thrive in warm coastal areas.
The Pitta person is strong-willed, impassioned, and determined. They emulate their essential element which is fire. Pittas excel from stress, and are confident in crisis situations. These people can have short tempers that are explosive. They can also seek to hide their angst and develop ulcers. People who have red hair, freckles, premature gray hair, and blond hair are said to have some Pitta qualities. These people can be impetuous and flighty, getting over-involved in projects and quickly burning out. The best diet for a Pitta individual would emphasize foods such as cottage cheese, ice cream, sweet fruits, oatmeal, and grains. They should avoid spicy and hot foods. The Pitta individual would do best in cooler climates that have distinct seasonal changes.
The Kapha individual is sensitive, sedate, strong, and forgiving. These people tend to have large-boned and well-developed bodies. Kaphas have the greatest struggle with weight. These sedate and content individuals tend to be coach potatoes. They make wonderful friends and gracious hosts. These people are connected to the earth element, and at their best are wise, tolerant, and loyal. They are more susceptible to colds, flus, headaches, and seasonal allergies. Kaphas can benefit from spicy food. Their diet should consist of low-fat, bitter, pungent, and astringent foods. There should be few sweets included in their regular intake. Often Kaphas make wise monetary decisions, and are likely to amass wealth. They thrive in the desert or in mountainous terrain, as long as the weather is somewhat moderate.
The Ayurveda philosophy believes that a person's dosha make-up is determined at conception. The constitution of a person is modified by day-to-day factors such as work, the people associated with, and the foods eaten. It is important to keep these doshas in balance through the day. This daily balance is called vikruti. The best way to have healthy vikruti is to keep the doshas in balance through diet. If a person ignores their doshas the systems are thrown off and physical ailments occur.
Ayurveda seeks to treat the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of the individual. There are many practitioners in the United States, Europe, and Canada. Presently, there is no licensing board to govern these practitioners, so they can only consult with clients. It is a system that is drastically different from western thought, as it seeks to align the individual with their own spiritual energy. This alternative approach to healing can offer many enlightening approaches to chronic illness, and preventative care.
