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Complete Medical Systems
Ayurvedic Medicine
Ayurveda, meaning "the science of life," originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. It is an extensively developed science and the oldest known medical system in the world. Ayurveda describes the world as a system of interacting forces. It aims to balance the forces that influence the mind, body and spirit, enabling a person to live in harmony and optimum health.
Prana means "before breath." It is the life force that must exist before anything can live. Prana is similar to the Chinese concept of Chi (see section on traditional Chinese medicine). It is the source of the five elements recognized by Ayurveda: fire, earth, water, air and ether (space). These elements make up all the matter in the universe. They are the building blocks of the human body. The five elements are condensed into three forces, or humours, called vata (wind), kapha (phlegm) and pitta (bile). The interactions of these forces are used to describe the workings of the human body and, together, these forces are called the tridosha. The basic aim of Ayurvedic treatments is to maintain the proper balance of the tridosha.
Ayurveda acknowledges that each person has a unique combination of humours, although one or two usually dominate. During diagnosis, an Ayurvedic physician identifies a person's natural balance of humours — a process called determining a person's body composition. As part of this process, the physician assesses dietary intake and lifestyle. Pulse reading, tongue diagnosis and an evaluation of a person's skin, nails and complexion are other diagnostic tools.
Ayurveda has a strong preventive aspect focused on maintaining a person's optimum balance of humours. Dietary counselling to maintain health is a central component. Massage, meditation and yoga are also used to maintain the body's health.
When Ayurvedic treatment is necessary, it is individually crafted to return the body to its natural balance of humours. Since each humour is associated with a particular part of the body, treatment is directed to that area where the out-of-balance humour would accumulate. In chronic illness, treatment is much more complicated, because each of the humours affects the others, eventually influencing all of the body's systems.
Maintaining the balance of humours supports the Ojas, or essential energy of the body. In Ayurveda, all living things are viewed as constantly evolving dense energy. Ojas is the essence of this energy. It is described as a sap or nectar that resides primarily in the bone marrow. When it has sufficient Ojas, the body is healthy; when Ojas is deficient, disease develops. AIDS is defined as a disease of low Ojas. Ojas is essential to the immune system and to proper digestion. HIV disease is treated by correcting the imbalance of humours that contribute to specific illness, malabsorption and weakening the immune system.
Once a PHA's body constitution is determined, the practitioner will prescribe treatment to gently assist digestion and the absorption of nutrients as well as to facilitate circulation and elimination. Treatments can include a combination of dietary changes, herbal medicines, cleansing therapies, chakra therapy, massage and meditation. Specific foods and tonics may be used to enhance the Ojas. In addition to strengthening the body, they may also nourish the mind and spirit.
Panchakarma is a cleansing therapy used in Ayurveda to detoxify the body and is ONLY undertaken when the patient is strong and relatively healthy. It is not used during the end stage of a disease. Panchakarma is a complex therapy involving several stages. In the first stage, warm oil is rubbed over the body to induce sweating. The oil penetrates the skin and stimulates nerve endings. Special diets are used to promote the cleansing and detoxification of the digestive tract. The method of detoxification is specific to a person's body type and the humour imbalances identified. It might include the use of enemas, laxatives or herbs that induce vomiting. Such intense procedures have risks and may be detrimental if performed improperly, so supervision from an experienced practitioner is necessary. After this intense cleansing, a pacification treatment is used to re-balance the tridosha and protect the system. Panchakarma is used to eradicate toxins, rejuvenate the system and minimize or halt the disease.
Located in various parts of the body, chakras are energy centres that vibrate at specific frequencies. Although there are thousands of chakras, there are seven major ones, and they are situated along the spine between the tail bone and the top of the head. When the chakras become blocked, the body manifests disease. In Ayurveda, a spiritual approach may be taken to clear these blockages. Such treatment involves wearing gem stones over the heart or throat chakras to enhance the energy at these points.
Meditation and prayer are also used to aid spiritual well-being. But, like many other forms of mind-body medicine, these treatments may be beneficial to a person's physical well-being as well. Prayers focus outside as the individual asks the higher-self or God for guidance. Meditation is more inward looking, focusing on an awareness of the body and the thought processes of the mind. (See section on mind-body medicine.) Mantras and incense are other forms of treatment. Mantras consist of repeated sounds used to calm the mind and provide a glimpse at bliss. Their vibrational quality is thought to heal when used correctly. Incense is used to calm the mind and promote mental clarity.
Oil baths and massage are major components of Ayurvedic medicine, both to treat disease and maintain general health. For general health, warm oil (often mixed with herbs) is massaged into the skin and left on for a specific time. Its application is followed by a warm bath.
A variety of herbal therapies are used in Ayurveda. Several Ayurvedic herbs, including guggul and ashwaganda, are discussed in the CATIE publication, A Practical Guide to Herbal Therapies for People Living With HIV.
Ayurveda practitioners are not regulated by legislation anywhere in Canada. To qualify in India, physicians must take a five-year university level course. No such course is offered in Canada. The average cost per visit to an Ayurveda practitioner is $40 to $100, although some practitioners offer a sliding scale based on income.
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