Ayurveda is a system of medicine, introduced through sages in India, that has been practiced for over 5,000 years by millions of individuals to assist the body in journeying back to optimal health. Ayurveda literally means “The Science of Life,” and to this day is broadly practiced in India and around the world. From the Ayurvedic perspective, the whole universe is an interplay of the energies of the five elements—earth, water, fire, air, and ether. Ayurveda groups the five elements into three basic types of functioning principles, which also are present everywhere, called the Three Doshas. These ancient principles are easily applicable to modern life and have the power to create health and balance. Health comes through living in harmony with our true nature. Through understanding one’s unique constitution, which Ayurveda teaches, one can find healing on many levels, physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  Ayurveda uses a multitude of healing modalities including herbs, diet, lifestyle practices, colors, aromas, sound, pancha karma therapies, meditation, and yoga.

A main function of Ayurveda is to maximize immunity and defend against disease. These principles are also true on the mental level. Mental and emotional stress can also affect the immune system. A person’s ability to respond to stress is the “immune system” of the mind. Ayurveda is guided by the principles that the mind and body are inextricably connected and that nothing has more power to heal and transform the body than the mind.  Ayurveda not only attempts to maximize physical health and immunity but also mental health and immunity.

While Ayurveda is an excellent preventative medicine, it also supports the capacity of the body to heal.  By eliminating the underlying causes, the body heals itself. This self healing model is paramount to understanding the benefits of Ayurveda. While Allopathic models treat symptoms, Ayurveda nourishes the whole individual, body, mind and spirit.  Ayurveda respects the life affirming energy of the body and views the body as intelligent down to the cellular and even subatomic level. By acknowledging the body’s innate wisdom and abilities to heal one can take their health to a whole new level.

Let thy food and thy life be thy Medicine.