Jivaka (Jeevaka) the main physician that treated Lord Buddha, learned medicine from Athreya Acharya. Upon completion of his medical education, Athreyaacharya gave his disciples a test – bring me the herbs or plants with no medicinal value. All the disciples of Athreya brought some plants to him. Jivaka searched and searched, but could not find any herb without any medicinal value. Dejected, he returned to his master.

“Hey Jivaka, couldn’t you find at least one plant without medicinal properties?” Athreya asked.

Jivaka replied “O master, I failed to pass your test. I searched the whole mountainside, but could not find a herb that has no medicinal powers. In fact I found even the sound of flowing streams, the sunlight, the sight of flowers, the singing of birds, the warmth and pleasant climate all act as medicines under appropriate conditions”

AthreyaÂ’s happiness knew no bounds. He said the medical education of Jivaka is over and he will become the predecessor of Athreya.

This is the core principle behind the lifestyle directed by Ayurveda acharyas. Nothing in this world is without a reason. Even the seemingly insignificant things can have greater influence on your life than you think.

Athreya later taught Jivaka the method of open skull surgery and a prominent figure among  ancient Indian Ayurveda practitioners.

It is disease whenever there is a deviation from the total healthy state (both physical and mental) of a person. Swastya (health) is the balanced state of tridoshas. Whenever there is a disturbance within the doshas, it can cause diseases. The dinacharyas and ritu charyas are designed to keep tridoshas in balance and hence for a healthy body. However, diseases can still happen even with strict compliance with lifestyle and diet controls. The factors that somehow disturbs or vitiate the doshas are the root causes of a disease.

Another cosmic concept of Ayurveda is loka-purusha samya concept, which refers to the identification of loka (world- universe) with purusha (man). There is a constant interaction between the microcosm (man — by man, here means every living thing and not only a human male) the macrocosm (universe). Every microcosm is a representation of a bigger macrocosm. There is a harmony between man and universe. There are actions all the time and whenever there is an imbalance in action, it can lead to a disease state.

The healthy interaction between man and universe is through three channels namely

Prajna, Buddhi or intellect
Indriyatha or sensory
Kala or natural rhythms

All the three factors, when in balance is called samayoga. There are three types of imbalances – atiyoga (excess), ayoga (deficient) and mithyayoga (distorted sense).

The deviations of prajna, indriyatha or kala, from their balanced state can cause diseases. The most prominent symptom of imbalance will be vitiation of doshas.

Prajnaparadha (due to intellect) diseases affect the mind. Wrong understandings and decisions, and going against his/her knowledge.

Asatmyendriyatha (affecting nervous system) directly affects the nervous system and mind. The mind perceives certain stimuli, which leads to stress, leaving way for disease. Sattwa quality of the mind gives way to rajas and tamas. This in turn vitiates the doshas, resulting in physical diseases.

Kala parinama (evolution over time) diseases occur due to the inability of the person to cope with changing cycles of nature. Directly defying the change in conditions leads to diseases. Variation in immune capacity with change in seasons is an experience of everyone. Diseases are common during change in seasons. There is also change in breathing pattern within the day. There are also times when man and woman have increased sexual desire. Menstrual cycle is another natural rhythm.

The Sanskrit word Ayurveda translates into “the science of life”. Ayurveda has its own view and philosophies on universal existence.

Ayurvedic relaxation massage is an important relaxation treatment to relieve tiredness by promoting blood circulation, relaxing muscles and revitalizing essential body systems.

Ayurvedic Dinacharya or daily routines form an important part of Ayurvedic relaxation. By controlling the body activities and keeping bodily activities in sync with nature can help you relax even in stressful situations.

Thus, Ayurvedic relaxation is not just a matter of a few hours, but being calm and collected in all your daily affairs.

Purvakarma (purva karma) which comes before panchakarma uses shirodhara, treats the person with a slow, steady flow of pleasantly warm medicated oil on his or her head. This therapy calms down the nervous system. Mental clarity, better comprehension, alertness, relaxed state, and tranquility are the effects of shirodhara.

According to Ayurveda, human body is composed mainly of four basic elements namely Akash (ether or space), Bhumi (earth or bodily mass), Jal (water), Vayu (air) and Agni (fire or energy).

These five elements join to form Doshas (tridosha), Dhatus (sapta dhathu), and Malas, which have further divisions.

Dosha (doshas, tridosha)
Vata, pitta and kapha are the three doshas (tridosha) of human body. They are derived from the five basic elements (panchabhootas) of nature, namely, Akash (space, sky or ether), Bhumi (earth), Jal (water), Vayu (air, atmosphere) and Agni (fire, energy). The doshas form human body and keeps the body in a healthy condition. Any imbalances to any of the dosha can cause disease, which will in turn affect the balance of other doshas too. Persons are also classified based on the dominant dosha, prakriti of the person.

Dhatus (dhathus, sapta dhatus)
Seven dhatus form the building elements of human body. They are Rasa (fluid, plasma), Rakta (blood), Mamsa (flesh, muscle), Asthi (bones), Majja (bone marrow) and  Shukla (shukra – semen). The supply of dhatus determines the nourishments to different parts of the body and healthy being of internal and external organs.

Mala
Mala (or malas) is anything that is a waste product in human body. The different malas are digestive waste, urine, sweat, air, menstrual blood, etc. It is the responsibility of humans not to suppress the release of any mala or waste product from the body. They are toxic inside our body, causing different diseases. Not suppressing any natural urges (sareera vega) is essential for expelling toxins from our body.

Ayurveda considers breast milk to be the best food for babies. Modern medicine too recommends breast feeding to newly born kids because of the several benefits of motherÂ’s milk. In case the mother fails to produce enough milk, Ayurveda recommends hiring a milk-mother, a woman who also has got a baby and produces enough milk.

Colostrum is rich with immunoglobulin, an element that enhances immunity in the infants. Infants absorb the required nutrients from motherÂ’s milk more efficiently than from cowÂ’s milk. MotherÂ’s milk is also rich in all vital nutrients required for the proper development of the baby. Ayurveda also tells that motherÂ’s milk put all the doshas in balance. There is no possibility of contamination for breast milk. The body temperature of the mother is also appropriate for the kid.

Apart from the tangible advantages of milk for the baby, breast feeding also builds a strong bonding between the mother and child.

Spirituality has a great influence in Ayurveda. Just as vaguely said elsewhere about Ayurveda as the science (read knowledge) of life, to be healthy a man (or woman) must be healthy by mind, body, and soul.

It is the knowledge of divinity within us that makes us healthy. That is the more you know about the divinity of your body, mind, and their connection with soul and the universe, you will live a healthier life.

When talking in terms of Ayurveda, the practitioner (Ayurvedic doctor) has to inspire his patient or client to awaken to a higher sense of divine self.

You may now be a bit confused. What has spirituality to do with medicine? Spirituality of a person has direct influence on his health is a truth.

All living things has a purpose. God has given unique capacities or talents to persons. To nourish that talents and live a life accordingly is the biggest task for man. It is only then a person will be able to achieve higher sense of spirituality.

If your office work necessarily doesnÂ’t make use of your talents, but demands some poorly developed skills. This creates conflict. Spirituality in Ayurveda means finding a job suited for your personality and talents.

The next thing affecting good health is tensions in relationships. Instead of providing mutual support, relationships increasingly become abusive.

If a person doesnÂ’t depend on other persons for his/her comfort and happiness, it is a healthy sign. The only person he or she can depend on is God. When you see God as your support, you have no reason to worry about abusive relationships.

Both the doctor and the clients are to experience a higher spiritual sense while the period of treatment. It is only then can you say that the treatment was complete.

In a sense Ayurveda doesnÂ’t end with treatment, it is ongoing healthy life through carefully designed dinacharyas and ritucharyas.