More about Ayurveda...

Ayurveda is an ancient medical science from India, taught as an oral tradition, though written record began around 2,000 years ago. Ayurveda is traditionally learned in a Gurukulam (an intensely personal approach, where the teacher shapes the individual student inside and outside of class), this style is dwindling. Indian universities teach Ayurveda right alongside Allopathy (Western medicine) and there is lively practice of Ayurveda throughout hospitals and research centres of India. Even the British Royals enjoy the benefits of Ayurveda. 

Why is Ayurveda relevant now

Ayurveda offers healing and relief without side effects. Treatment is personalised to the individual, acknowledging the range in our physiology. Ayurveda provides alternatives to what has been an overuse or inappropriate use of Antibiotics. Ayurveda's core philosophy is to protect, heal and strengthen both the patient and the source of our medicine, Earth. Ayurveda can and does support successful Allopathic (modern medicine) treatment. Ayurveda, Yoga and Vedanta have profound steps to support behavioural change and mental health, a still struggling treatment system in our culture.

How it works

Like increases like, opposites bring balance. For example, applying dynamic action (heating & reducing) to counter the results of static action (cooling & nourishing); walking or standing instead of sitting or sleeping. Ayurveda allocates these qualities to food, thoughts and habits, that when understood, can be manipulated into further supporting health. An over simplification, but convenient to our purpose here: some foods and herbs are heating and reducing (dynamic action), some are cooling and strength building (static action), etc... Fundamentals are based on the five elements and a core belief that we are not separate from the laws that govern nature (physics). Ayurveda acknowledges the intrinsic relationship of mind, body, spirit, in belief that one cannot be treated successfully without the other.

A bit of History

Near the banks of the Indus and Saraswati Rivers, what is now Pakistan and North-West India, there thrived from 7,000 BC (possibly earlier) to around 2,000 BC, what is known as the Indus-Saraswati Civilisation or Harappan Civilisation. This makes the Indus-Saraswati Civilisation older than Mesopotamia or Egypt. Here was the wellspring of the Vedas, which included Ayurveda. Ayurveda began as an oral tradition, with written record sometime around 3000 BC. In 2000 BC, due to various environmental changes, the Saraswati River dried up. As a result, the people of the Indus-Saraswati Civilisation migrated all over India, bringing Vedic knowledge and traditions with them. Classical texts include Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridayam, to name a few. Ayurveda has traditionally been practiced in tandem with Yoga and Vedanta Philosophy. Translated, Ayurveda means life wisdom.

The people of the Indus-Saraswati Civilisation have also been referred to as "The Aryans," this is not wrong. However, aryan is a Sanskrit word to indicate a person of noble thought and action. Aryan has never referred to a race of people, except in Max Muller's popularised false theory of the Aryan race as a part of the British smear campaign and in the case of Hitler's appropriation of the aforementioned theory. Since, the theory of Aryans being a foreign race of invaders to India has been refuted.

In 5th century BC, Persia came as the first foreign invader to India. Subsequent invasions were to follow, leading to a 1000 years of enslavement; India only gaining independence as recently as 1947. After the British takeover in the 19th Century, Max muller, a German Sanskrit scholar, was handsomely compensated by the East India Company to translate the Vedas in such a way as to discredit them in the eyes of the Hindu people. This was meant to support justification for rulership of the Britishers, increase receptivity to Christianity and create social divide to advance the British political agenda. 

India's 1000 year occupation lead to subversion of indigenous knowledge and tradition, contributing to the West's continued misinformation on the history and culture of India and India's own struggle with self identity and advancement.

Sometimes I am asked, "Why, if Ayurveda is so effective, is it not recognised by the World Health Organisation." My opinion is that as India is slowly rising and regaining her feet, so is knowledge of Ayurveda. I expect and hope to see protection and regulation of Ayurveda and formal acknowledgement of this incredible Science, that I believe, can support the efficacy of medicine going forward.

Thank you to Shri Daya Prakash Sinha for promoting correction to a false history.