SECRETS OF HEALING – THE AYURVEDA WAY

But the real secret to lifelong good health is actually the opposite: Let your body take care of you.
– Deepak Chopra

The extraordinary intelligence of the hunter-gatherer peoples of India is, in fact, what led to the consolidation of the science of Ayurveda. The abundance of forests, water, land, and natural resources thousands of years ago made it possible for these ancient communities to discover and collect herbs and rare medicinal plants. They then spent years researching, experimenting, and developing practices through a trial-and-error method in the best scientific traditions – to treat, heal, and cure the human body.

Ayurveda, meaning ‘the science of life and longevity’ in Sanskrit, is the traditional Indian system of natural and holistic medicine that combines healing with philosophy, and complete physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness. Its core principle is to lead the right and healthy way of life – one that is disease-free.

The knowledge of Ayurveda in India was passed down over the centuries through an oral tradition, until it was methodically collated into text around 2600 BCE. The Charaka Samhitha (Treatise on Medicine), Susrutha Samhitha (Treatise on Surgery), and Ashtanga Hridayam Samhita (Treatise on the Basic Principles) are considered to be the three oldest known foundation texts of Ayurveda.

These olden texts reveal marvellous insights into the human body based on pure observation, sans any tools! The pioneering texts are also forerunners in the fields of surgery and human anatomy, suggesting techniques well ahead of their time.

Ayurveda stresses the importance of pathya (lifestyle, eating habits, and daily routine), and is also a guide on how to adjust one’s lifestyle based on the change of seasons. But more importantly, it prescribes a way of life that goes beyond mere healing; that helps us realise our true energies and how best to channel them.

The heart of Ayurveda is this: good health leads to a happy and confident state of being. A happy mind in turn brings calm, ensures better decisions, and assures right living.

KERALA: PROVINCE OF AYURVEDA

Kerala has maintained an unbroken tradition of Ayurveda; it is a much-treasured legacy and an exceptional one at that. For centuries, the Vaidyas (traditional practitioners of Ayurveda) were almost the only healers in the state – the legendary eight families of Vaidyas (Ashta Vaidyas) and their successors adapted the theories of Ayurveda into effective healing systems in daily life to treat people.

Kerala is called ‘God’s own country’ for a reason. The state has abundant natural beauty; an equable climate; rich forests; and the monsoon – they best suit Ayurveda’s curative and restorative therapies.

Kerala is perhaps one of the few places on earth that maintains temperatures of 24–28 degrees even during peak monsoon season, making it ideal for natural medicines to work potently. Medicinal plants grown in the rich alkaloid soil are also available all year round for use.

With the largest number of both Ayurveda colleges and practitioners, Kerala has led and sustained a tradition of Ayurveda research in a scientific manner. Ayurveda in Kerala today is not alternative but mainstream. In fact, Kerala is the only state in India which practices Ayurveda in its entirety.

TREATMENT AND THERAPY

According to Ayurveda, the panchamahabhoota (five basic elements) – earth, water, fire, air, and ether – manifest in the human body as Vata (air and ether), Pitta (fire), and Kapha (earth and water), and are known as the Tridoshas (three body types).

Hence, the prakruti (natural constitution) of every human being is determined by the dominance of Vata, Pitta or Kapha, or their combinations. It is also why each person is uniquely influenced by certain doshas (elements) more than others. Harmony in prakruti indicates good health.

Each dosha influences the shape of one’s body, food preferences and digestion, and intellectual and emotional temperament. An imbalance in the doshas results in accumulation of toxins, and energy points in the body are blocked. Ayurveda, with its highly specialised therapies, massages, medicines, diets, and prescribed exercise, removes these blockages and toxins.

All three classical texts stress a firm code of ethics to be followed by practitioners of authentic Ayurveda – physicians, surgeons, scholars, students, nurses, and patients. This also means that a patient must strictly adhere to the physician’s instructions without any compromise in order to ensure complete healing.

The essence of Ayurveda is natural remedies – non-toxic and chemical-free. Everything prescribed is based on a deep study of thousands of plants and herbs; their curative qualities; nature’s seasons and cycles; and the way our bodies respond to all of these based on mutual chemistry – ensuring ideal health, a relaxed mind, and a rejuvenated body.

MOST EFFECTIVE / MOST POPULAR TREATMENTS

STRESS RELIEVING

Modern life is fraught with hectic lifestyles and demands on your time. Stress, in small doses, can help you perform well. But when you are constantly running to stay in the same place, your mind and body will pay the price. Fatigue is linked to multiple biological responses that might surface in the form of unhealthy conditions like cardiovascular diseases.

Ayurveda’s stress-relieving programme helps the body achieve a state of Ojas (primary vitality). Ayurvedic treatments based on Panchakarma and Rasayana chikitsa, along with Yoga, Pranayama, and Meditation, can bring about immense changes in a person. These preventive therapies have long-term benefits.

Ayurveda brings about balance in the body and creates harmony of mind, body, and spirit.

REJUVENATION THERAPY

With age, the body weakens and various ailments begin to set in. Rejuvenation therapy is directed at restoring your overall wellbeing, by helping the body reach its natural state of physical and mental comfort.

This therapy helps you gain energy and feel more youthful; it enhances skin texture and shine, increases sound sleep, and improves concentration and memory. Ayurveda’s rejuvenation therapy strengthens all the tissues in the body so as to achieve wellness and longevity.

It also increases Ojas and improves Sattva (mental clarity), thereby increasing the body’s resistance to disease.

This therapy consists of head and face massage with medicated oils and creams, body massage with herbal oils or powders, medicated steam baths, herbal baths, and oral medicines.

BODY PURIFICATION THERAPY

The body accumulates impurities and chemical toxins over the years, resulting in little or no immunity, dullness, weakness, and even allergies. Ayurveda’s body purification therapy detoxes the body, not only freeing it of harmful toxins but also balancing all its vital elements.

This therapy includes body massages, steam baths, purgative medicines, and oral herbal medicines. The therapy is highly recommended for even healthy people – every five years to keep chronic health problems at bay.

It has the potential to cure many illnesses – to the point where the patient may not need any other line of treatment later. The therapy removes weak vibrations from your body and contributes to complete physical, mental, and emotional wellness in a holistic way.

SLIMMING PROGRAMMES

Being overweight or obese is one of the most common health problems today. Ayurveda says that this is because of imperfect harmony between the three doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.

This imbalance can occur despite a controlled diet. Weak digestion or weak metabolism are the root causes of this condition.

Ayurveda’s slimming programme involves massage with herbal oils and herbal powders which are medically treated, a restricted diet regimen, drinking herbal juices and herbal teas, and medicated steam baths.

SUGGESTED AYURVEDA RESORTS

• Somatheeram Ayurveda Group, Kovalam
• Dr. Franklyn Panchakarma Institute, Kovalam
• Travancore Heritage, Kovalam
• Isola Di Cocco, Poovar
• Kalari Kovilakom, Palaghat
• Nattika Beach Resort
• Malika Ayurveda Beach Resort
• Varkala
• Prakritishakthi, Panchalimedu