Ayurveda treatments rely on both nutrition and lifestyle changes to combat illness. Your sensual surroundings (including sights, sounds, smells, etc.) and diet play a large role in your health. When one of the humors is blocked, herbal supplements, massage, yoga and changes to lifestyle and diet will help the body cure itself. There are no "universal" remedies for people, as each person is different and must be treated as such.
History: Ayurveda is more than 5,000 years old. The term Ayurveda is Sanskrit, meaning "knowledge of life." It originated in India, and was, as Hindus believe, the divine revelation of Brahma when he awoke to recreate the universe. It was verbally passed down through the gods, until Indra passed the knowledge to Bharadvaja, who was the first human to be told about Ayurveda.
Ayurveda is a holistic approach to health that has created a foundation for many others. Though it is an everyday medical practice Sri Lanka, Nepal and India, it is becoming widely popular around the world.
Typical Treatment:
Ayurvedic practitioners take thorough stock of their clients' physical and emotional health. They ask questions that seek to understand a patient's behavior, lifestyle and diet, in addition to inquiring about recent illnesses. Physically, they observe the condition of the tongue, teeth, eyes, nails, skin, and whether a person is overweight, in addition to listening to bodily sounds such as digestion. Each humor is thought to produce a different kind of pulse, so that is checked as well. Some Ayurvedic practitioners will request lab work in the way of a urine or stool sample.
After completing a thorough physical and asking many questions, practitioners may give patients herbal treatments or suggest how changes in their lifestyle and diets would better their health. They may also perform one or more manual treatments, such as those described below:
Panchakarma: This intense treatment is a five-therapy process that cleans and detoxifies the entire body. It is a medicated oil treatment applied to the body inside and out.
Abhyanga: Combined with exfoliation, steam treatment or relaxation therapy, the treatment is said to remove impurities and stimulate circulation, in addition to activating energy points in the body. Special oils are mixed with individualized herbal concoctions to protect and nourish the skin. This kind of massage is said to balance the three Doshas of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Udvartina: An herbal paste is applied vigorously across the body of the patient, serving to rid the body of stagnant toxins in the lymphatic system.
Vishesh: Herbalized oils are rhythmically applied to the body, ridding the body of its imbalances and impurities while stimulating the lymphatic system.
Shirodhara: Organic oil is warmed and applied in a stream over the third-eye region, in order to calm the mind and alleviate tensions in the head and neck.
Pizhichil: A full-body oil massage that involves the application of warm, medicated oils all over the body by way of an oil-soaked cloth. It is said to nourish muscles and nerves and increase circulation.
Swedhana: Customized herbal oils are used in combination with steam treatment to purify skin and eliminate toxins.
Netra Vasti: A special treatment for the eyes that starts with a facial massage (in relation to Marma points). Organic dough is placed in rings around the eyes, and medicated butter oil is poured over them. This treatment helps eyesight and reduces stress.
Nasya: Cleansing of the nasal passages. Begun with a facial massage, two or three drops of medicated oil are introduced into the nose. This oil clears any debris not captured by the tiny hairs in the nose.
Conditions Treated:
- Anemia
- Affective Mood Disorder
- Allergies
- Arrhythmia
- Arthritis
- Attention Deficit Disorder
- Bronchial Asthma
- Candidiasis
- Constipation
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Heart and Circulatory disorders
- High Cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Migraine Headaches
- Obesity
- Peptic Ulcer
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Stress
- Skin Problems
- Sinus infections
- Sleep Disturbances
- Tinnitus
Benefits:
- Pain relief for chronic conditions
- Reduced swelling from arthritis
- Better sleep patterns
- Improved circulation
Side-Effects/Contra-Indications:
- Pregnant women may want to forego treatment with certain herbal tonics.
- Some herbs should not be used with traditional medications, so patients who take prescribed medicines should ask about interactions first.
- Through the process of cleansing, patients may experience digestive side effects.
Educations/Schools:
Instruction includes classes in aromatherapy, nutrition, herbology, meditation, Mantra therapy, spiritual counseling and yoga. In some areas of the U.S., students must complete a four year undergraduate degree before entering into an Ayurvedic course of study. After completing training, many will intern for up to a year before taking on their own patients. Once through with their studies, Ayurvedic practitioners can work at a wellness center, teach classes, supervise a Panchakarma center, or conduct retreats and workshops. In Kern County, several massage therapy businesses such as the Bakersfield Spa Institute have expert Ayurvedic practitioners.
Degrees/License Offered: Certificate of Completion, Master's Degree in India
Length of Study: 9 months to 2 years
Cost/Financial Aid: The cost to study ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 per semester or $2500 per quarter in the United States. Most programs last up to six quarters. Private loans or assistance might be possible.
Research:There have been a number of research attempts in recent years to determine the effectiveness of Ayurveda including:
1. How guggul lipid works on high cholesterol. Through various studies, researchers found that "bad" cholesterol levels dropped and good cholesterol levels rose.
2. How herbal therapies can be used for cardiovascular conditions.
3. How ginger, turmeric and boswellia treat inflammatory disorders, and in particular arthritis and asthma.
4. Whether cowhage, has the potential to lessen or prevent the side effects of traditional drugs on those suffering from Parkinson disease.
Resource Links:
AHC: Ayurveda Holistic Community: http://www.ayurvedahc.com/articlelive/
Maharishi Ayurveda: http://www.alltm.org/ayurveda.html
General Website: http://www.ayurveda.com/
Ayurvedic Foundations: http://www.ayur.com/about.html
International Society for Ayurveda and Health: http://www.ayurvedahealth.org/
General help page: http://www.ayurhelp.com/
Practitioner Training & Licensure:
Practitioners of Ayurveda are not currently licensed or regulated in the United States. Each individual state sets standards for Ayurveda students to follow to avoid being charged with practicing medicine without a license. In California, Ayurveda practitioners may practice their craft under the title of Clinical Ayurvedic Therapists. There is no national or international accreditation for Ayurvedic healers.
Average Salary/Hourly Rate:
A first visit can cost about $100, and reach up to hundreds per day for spa treatment. Many PanchaKarma programs can cost anywhere from $300-$600/day for up to five days. Ayurvedic Therapists also make money from selling herbal products and remedies.
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