Ayurveda – the “science of life”
The word Ayurveda means the “science of life” in Sanscrit – an Indian language. It is a holistic form of medical treatment of Indian decent that operates on the premise that the mind, body and spirit are interconnected. Ayurveda concepts makes use of plant, animal, metal and mineral based products along with personalised lifestyle plans to prevent and treat diseases. Every treatment is tailor-made according to a patient’s needs and according to their own personal constitution which is known as the “Prakriti.” The system is based on the concept of the Pancamahabhutas, or five great elements (space, air, fire, water, and earth) that constitute everything in the universe, including the human body.
The range of treatments can include yoga, massage, Acupuncture and herbal medicine.
Ayurveda benefits
- Indigestion is one of the ailments that Ayurveda treats and addresses. Patients are advised to follow a diet tailor-made to your specific needs and sometimes herbal supplements are given.
- Anxiety and/or stress is often treated with breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, sound therapy, etc. Some practitioners also incorporate Acupuncture.
Other medical issues that Ayurveda can alleviate include;
- asthma
- arthritis
- eczema
- high blood pressure
- high cholesterol levels
- rheumatoid arthritis
- stress related disorders
Precautions and considerations
- Always consult your doctor before exploring additional therapies. If you are on prescription medication you should not stop taking it unless your doctor advises you that it is safe to do so.
- Always go to a licenced practitioner whose qualifications have been scrutinised. Medications that are used in Ayurveda treatments need to be prescribed by someone who is competent otherwise they can be harmful if used in the wrong way. Some herbs are poisonous and are not even meant to be ingested so the practitioner needs to have a clear understanding of what exactly they are prescribing.
- Do your own research about medicines that you are given before taking them. Your Ayurveda healer should ask for your medical history but you still have to be your own advocate and find out all you can about use, efficacy and contraindications of the medication. It’s wise to do that with any kind of treatment anyway because your health is your wealth.
In Zimbabwe, the best way to find a licenced practitioner is by contacting Natural Therapists Council of Zimbabwe, which is the licencing body for natural therapists and has a directory of qualified practitioners. If you are interested in training to be one, we are happy to direct you to the right training centres. Contact us for any related information.
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