Conclusion :
Ayurveda is comprised of āyus , meaning ‘ life ’ and veda , meaning ‘ science .’ As the name suggests , Ayurveda is the science of life , encompassing all aspects of our being to address underlying disease to help relieve symptoms , prevent or eradicate disease and achieve optimal health in our mental , physical , emotional and spiritual planes .
In Ayurveda , food is medicine and can impact your overall health . The whole food and not just its constituents are considered as having beneficial or harmful effects , particularly when it comes to an individual ’ s dominant dosha ( s ). Good digestion is a key aspect in Ayurvedic thinking . When food is poorly digested there will be an accumulation of toxins ( agni ) in the body that will make it less efficient .
To find your personal balance one must take into account your dosha or body type ( prakriti ). We are born with a particular dosha ( vata , pitta and kapha ) in which one or more of the three is dominant . In Ayurveda , dosha is a unique concept based on the five-element theory . Each dosha is a combination of one of these five elements : ether , air , fire , water or earth . Each element expresses different characteristics . Determining your dosha will allow you to create balance in your mind , body , and spirit , thus allowing you to achieve optimal wellness . Vata = ether + air Pitta = fire + water Kapha = water + earth
Potential Ayurvedic treatments to balance your dosha / doshas may include dietary changes , breathing , exercise , yoga , proper sleep , relationship and emotional balance , and / or herbal remedy recommendations .
Conclusion :
What are common contributors that may lead to states of imbalance ? These are vast and range anywhere from infection , to loss of a loved one . People also have many toxic relationships in their lives . A lot of people ’ s jobs are unfulfilling and / or they ’ re over worked .
I see a number of patient ’ s that have extremely poor eating habits , don ’ t exercise and have inadequate sleep routines , all further compounding states of imbalance .
For the most part , medicine attempts to address the pathology , while neglecting the underlying physiology . Naturopathic , Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines tend to not only address the pathology , but also help to correct and optimize the physiology and psychology of the individual , thereby leading to better health outcomes .
Again , imbalance is much more apparent , while balance is much more subjective . Besides the aforementioned basics of achieving balance , what achieves balance for one , may not for another . The key is to find the combinations that bring one to that inner state of peace and contentment , and balance will come .
Dr . Lindsay Jones-Born is a licensed Naturopathic Physician in Connecticut , and is an active member of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians .
Summer 2013 THE PINK PAPER
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