Ayurveda understands that each person is born with a basic nature or constitution. Understanding your genetic make-up is vital and empowering.
Understanding Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that means “the science of life and longevity”. It is the way of wholesome and righteous living.
Ayurveda has developed in India over the last 4,000 years and has now spread all over the world. It is a blend of herbal medicine, spiritual insights, practical experience, scientific analysis and artistic creativity. It uses medicinal plants, food, massage, meditation and judicious living as part of its life-style and methodology.
Ayurveda understands that each person is born with a basic nature or constitution. Understanding your genetic make-up is vital and empowering. Ayurveda also understands that there is a changing nature in the body, a transient state of the body and mind. For example, if I have a cold, that is a transient imbalanced state, it does not indicate a change in my genetic constitution, which remains fixed as diseases pass over it. Put simply, our constitution does not change, but we are always in change.
When our changing constitution is the same as our genetic constitution, health is present. When they are different an imbalance is present. Put simply, our genetic constitution does not change, but we are always in change.
Ayurvedic theory is based on the assumption that if you understand your genetic constitution you will take measures to prevent imbalances from developing, or if imbalance occurs you can determine the kinds of therapeutic treatments you should choose.
Herbal medicines are a central part of Ayurvedic treatments. They focus on balance, optimising health and rejuvenating the whole body and mind. Ayurvedic herbs have been used for centuries and have been subject to many clinical trials that attest to their efficacy. Many of their names are of Sanskrit origin, for example Shatavari means “the woman who has one hundred husbands”.
