Ayurveda: Cure, Philosophy, or Fasion?

By Evelinaa Rioukhina, UNECE

Fashion ?
Over the last years the word “Ayurveda” has become common in our language. Society nowadays fosters poor health in many ways, with stress as the most widespread disease of the modern way of life. To find a miracle cure for this stress turn more and more from chemical to natural methods. In this respect, Ayurveda may be regarded as one of such keys to a healthy life and vitality. It has gained considerable ground, becoming popular not only in Europe with many health centres (Germany, France, Austria, Russia), the application specter is also broad – from universities and hospitals (India and Sri Lanka) to treatment clinics (United Arab Emirates) and research institutes (United States). Several years ago Ayurveda came to Switzerland, but was confronted with skepticism. However now it looks as though this word is becoming fashionable and gaining people’s confidence. The recently issued big catalogue devoted to Ayurvedic cure with solid descriptions and explanatory comments on this non-traditional medicine is now decorating the shelves and windows of many travel agencies and bookshops.

Philosophy ?
Ayurveda, which literally means “the science of life”, is a natural healing system used throughout India 5000 years ago, and which later spread throughout Sri Lanka. Ayurveda was known to have been first developed and established by the great sages who developed India’s original systems of meditation and Yoga. The study of Ayurveda includes herbal medicine, dietetics, surgery, psychology and spirituality. It not only deals with medical sciences, but also with the social, ethical, intellectual and spiritual life of man. Ayurveda amalgamates the accuracy of science and the sublimity of philosophy, poetry, and art. In order not to mix these philosophical concepts of Ayurveda with religion, supernatural and superstitious, it should be noted that these systems include the materialistic or atheistic philosophy.

The science of Ayurveda is primarily concerned with life, life process and living states. Its approach to all phenomena is with reference to and from the point of view of living beings. In his approach to this environment, the subject employs the instrumentality of his mind, and the five senses. This view, which is an ancient one, has endured the test of time and is being restated today by modern science. “Cognition of space and time arise in our intellect, during its touch with external world by means of the organs of sense and does not exist in the external world apart from our contact with it” (P. Ouspensky, one of the leading mathematicians and philosophers of Russia).

Ayurveda describes three fundamental universal energies which regulate all natural processes at both the macrocosmic and microcosmic levels. That is, the same energies which produce effects in the various galaxies and star systems are operating at the level of the human physiology. Everything in the universe is made of combinations of the Five Elements: Space (or Akasha), Air (or Vayu), Fire (or Tejas), Water (or Apa) and Earth (or Prithvi). These five elements can be seen to exist in the material universe at all scales both organic and inorganic. When they enter into the biology of a living organism, they acquire a biological form. This means that the five elements are coded into three biological forces, which govern all life processes. These three forces are known as the three doschas. The three doschas are: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Each of the three doschas is composed of two from the five listed above elements: Vata of Space and Air, Pitta of Fire and Water, Kapha of Water and Earth. These three forces (or energies) should to be in a dynamic equilibrium with each other for the maintenance of health. Any imbalance of their relative importance in the body results in disease and illness.

Cure ?
I visited many Ayurvedic centres, clinics, tested Ayurvedic cures, talked to many who had undertaken various treatments, and also spoke to a number of specialists and practicing doctors. Here is the brief interview with Dr. E. G. Wijesinghe, Snr Consultant of Ayurveda Institute of Kelaniya University and Dr. Deepal Aushadharatna, Chief of one of the Ayurvedic centres in Beruwela (my questions are in italics).

What do you understand by “Ayrveda”? The doctors gave the following answer: “The word is derived from Sanskrit, “ayur” – long life, and “veda” – science. In Sanskrit it means: “bodha (to understand), gnane (knowledge), vidhrane (behaviour), meaning: “Everything can be taught, whatever you study – you understand, and when you understand you behave accordingly”.

Is Ayurveda officially recognised medicine in Sri Lanka? “Indeed, it is a form of preventive medicine. We have departments in several Universities, the biggest one is the Department of Ayurveda in the University of Colombo, many research institutes, clinics, cantres, etc. ”

What diseases can be healed by Ayurvedic treatment? The doctors listed: allergies, continuous headaches, sinusitis, insomnia and other stress disorders. They also mentioned cases of improvement in psoriasis, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis. The doctors stressed, however, that through Ayurvedic treatment there are basic principles to follow: the medicine (all medicine should be prescribed by a physician), meals (special diet) behaviour (moral and ethics).

What does the Ayurvedic cure consist of? The doctors pointed out again the importance of the combination of three doschas (Wata, Pitta, Kapha) and their balance by external treatment – oilation. “The oilation is the fundamental part of the cure, when the whole sensory and nervous system is affected and stimulated. Oil can be applied on the head or warm oil can be poured on the forehead for thirty to fifty minutes (Shiro-Dhara, Abhyanga, Pitchu-Dharana ans Shiro-Vasthi). If the liquid medicament is applied together with oil, it should be prescribed by a physician. In all cases, the cure should be made with constant medical control. Ayurveda is usually accompanied by re-energetising oil body massage and often oil head massage, and sometimes by other herbal treatment (bath, applications). ”

Many people in different countries are sceptical about Ayurveda. What can you say to them? The doctors smiled: “We personally believe in Ayurveda, this is our conviction. Do not be sceptical. We are all human beings, let us think together how to heal people so that they have a long and healthy life”.

Instead of a conclusion
What is it really – cure, philosophy or fashion? Any concept will have its defenders and its opponents, and this is so with many other non-traditional medicines or oriental ways of healing. Definitely, this is something interesting to learn about, to see, to study, to try to understand, or at least to think about. I am sure that everyone who is interested will decide for themselves and give the answer. However, knowing that the subject of Ayurveda is much discussed among many of my colleagues, it would be interesting to receive an official medical view or comments on this particular subject.