ayurvedic

Ayurvedic refers to Ayurveda, a traditional system of medicine that originated in the Indian subcontinent and is rooted in ancient Indian philosophy and culture. The term Ayurveda means knowledge of life, and the system covers a wide range of health practices, from preventive care to treatments for disease.

Core concepts center on balancing three doshas or functional energies: Vata (movement and dry, light qualities), Pitta (transformation and heat), and Kapha (structure and stability). Individuals are believed to have a unique constitution, or prakriti, based on the relative dominance of the doshas. Illness is thought to result from an imbalance, or vikriti, between the doshas, which can be influenced by factors such as diet, lifestyle, sleep, climate, and stress.

Assessment in Ayurveda often includes a detailed history, examination of the tongue and face, and pulse diagnosis, along with consideration of the patient’s environment and daily routine. Treatments are typically personalized and may combine herbal remedies, diet and nutrition tailored to the constitution, lifestyle guidance, exercise or yoga, meditation, and daily routines designed to maintain harmony with natural cycles.

Therapies also encompass detoxification and rejuvenation approaches, collectively known as purificatory or cleansing therapies, with panchakarma being a well-known set of procedures that aim to remove accumulated toxins and restore balance. Ayurvedic practice may practice abhyanga (therapeutic massage), nasya (nasal administration), oleation, and other body therapies, sometimes in specialized clinics or spa settings.

Historically, Ayurvedic knowledge is preserved in classical texts such as the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita. Today, Ayurveda is used as a traditional system of medicine in parts of India and worldwide as a form of complementary and alternative medicine. Safety, quality control of herbal products, and integration with conventional medicine are ongoing considerations in modern contexts.