Ayurveda / Ayurvedic Medicine
By Jessica, November 17, 2010
The word Ayurveda translates from Sanskrit as “the wisdom of life”. This traditional form of medicine began in India around 5,000 years ago making it the oldest medical system still in existence. Today it is practiced all over the world as a form of alternative or complementary medicine.
Ayurveda is rooted in the belief that the five basic elements space, air, fire, water and earth affect people as much as they do nature. These elements manifest within people in the form of three basic principles known as Doshas. The three Doshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha all play a part in determining someone’s personality or physiological traits.
Vata is composed of space and air and manifests in someone as lightness, creativity and enthusiasm. Pitta consists of fire and water. People who are said to be Pitta are dynamic and ingenuous with a fast metabolism. Finally Kapha is comprised of water and earth. Kapha people are said to be heavy set, with slow metabolism. People are made up of all three of these Doshas but in different proportions. Knowing which of these Doshas is the most dominant can help you decide on lifestyle habits and a diet that suits you best.
If a person’s Doshas have become imbalanced it leads to illness which can be cured by restoring the natural balance of the Doshas. The way of treating these Doshas is by making dietary and lifestyle adjustments and treating the body with herbs and adjustments. Ayurveda takes into account that everyone is different and that everybody’s ailments need to be treated differently.
Ayurvedic treatments include different styles of massage and oil treatments. Samvahana is a classical four hand oil massage where two practitioners deliver a synchronised massage to stimulate healing, restoration and balance. Shirodhara is a treatment where warm oils are poured gently onto a pressure point in the forehead. This relieves colds, sinusitis, insomnia, anxiety, tension and stress. During a Garshan treatment the body is dry brushed towards the heart by a therapist wearing raw silk gloves. This is followed by a smoothing oil massage.
Ayurvedic treatments are offered by Ayurveda by C Spa at the Carlton Atlantic Coast Hotel, Westport, Co. Mayo and Solas Croí Eco Spa, New Ross, Co. Wexford.
