The whole is greater than the sum of the parts

Ayurveda, by its very nature is the directions for living a balances life that in turn will keep in balanced state all our body tissues and energies. Any imbalance will cause disease.

Unlike Allopathic medicine, Ayurveda doesnÂ’t take any disease or condition in isolation. Ayurvedic practitioners want to give back the balanced mental and physical state to a personÂ’s body and mind. Ayurveda suggests a lot of single herbs and combination herbs for the treatment of a variety of diseases.

Modern researches singles out a specific alkaloid or chemical composition in the plant extract responsible for the positive result. Then the natural thought will go like administering that single chemical combination for the desired results. Here lies a problem.

While the chemical combination can put straight the imbalance, the same chemical can cause imbalance elsewhere. That imbalance requires another treatment, which leads to the creation of another imbalance in body system. Here is the importance of using whole herb, or herbal combination as directed.

When a part of the herbal extract balances the system, the other constituents – alkaloids, flavonoids, etc keep other imbalances from occurring. Nature is so knowledgeable that it packed different constituents in plant physiology.

Ayurvedic herbs, all of them used in medicines, have different medicinal properties or balancing capabilities. When a specific chemical is extracted and administered to a patient of a specific disease, it sure will pacify the condition, but the problem is there are chances for vitiation of balance in other parts of the system. This reaction of chemicals is commonly called side effects. An Ayurvedic practitioner first identifies the dosha type of a person prior to suggesting a specific treatment option, partly because of this reason.

More on herbal combinations
Each component of herbal combinations has specific and general tasks.

1. The main aim of the medicine is to cure the disease.
2. The medicines have combinations that help the body in better assimilation of the curable and regenerating part of the medicine.
3. Removal of toxic impurities or bodily wastes (ama and mala) and strengthening of body system is performed by another group of constituents.
4. There are also balancing factors that will soften the side effects associated with any Ayurvedic medicines.

A specific plant or herb may or may not have all the four qualities. The best example for the herbal combination is triphala. It is a complete balanced medical formulation that has all the requisites – removing impurities, strengthening body system and curing any imbalances or diseases.

Ayurvedic treatment is based solely on medicines derived from plants. When used accurately – based on the physical conditions (prakriti) of the person and the disease, the medicinal herbs can give excellent results, without any side effects.

Ayurveda acharyas, from 600 BC to fifth century AD have listed the medicinal value of plants and their use. ‘Dravya guna vigyan’ or ‘knowledge of the quality of matter’, here the knowledge of medicinal herbs is a well-developed branch of Ayurveda. Careful researches completed by Ayurveda acharyas of different ages have given us the list of medicinal plants that are useful in different situations.

Acharyas ascribe the quality of medicinal plants to certain factors like the season in which the herbs are grown and collected and the geographical location in which they have grown are the main elements to consider. Again, remember that the plants are listed many centuries back.

Now lets have a look at what can go wrong with medicinal herbs today.

The geography and climate has changed a lot. Chemical products are there in the soil, water and air. These chemicals, so unnatural to nature are detrimental to natural living conditions – for humans, other animals, plants and microorganisms.

Ancient Ayurvedic practitioners collected medicinal plants from the sides of streams and from hilltops that never were spoilt with chemicals – industrial wastes, plastic, emissions from vehicles, etc. Such herbs grown in natural surroundings have never-failing medicinal qualities.

Compare that day with present times. You can find that the environment has changed a lot, the physical and chemical quality of soil has changed and even the atmospheric air we breathe is impure.

Where to collect medicinal plants
Collecting medicinal plants from jungles and hilltops is not a viable option as of today. Farming the herbs in large gardens can be another option. Once again, growing plants of same species over a large geographical area can attract pests, insects etc that feed on this exact herbs. The natural way today is to use pesticides – deprived quality of the herbs. Herbal pesticides like neem seed oil and cake is a viable option. Then again the plants don’t get that much of natural settings to grow and flourish.

Present of heavy metals in Ayurvedic medicines
Researches in US and India have found traces of toxic heavy metals in unacceptably high proportions in Ayurvedic medicines. Now, can’t you identify what can go wrong with Ayurvedic herbal medicines? The heavy metals reach the plant body through the soil – not exactly a natural accumulation. Human body also needs metals and minerals in their body – but overdoses can do more harm than good.

Although there are thousands of people visiting Kerala Ayurvedic hospitals seeking treatment for all kinds of diseases, a comprehensive databank about the conditions and treatments applied is missing. Simply reporting the medical history of patients visiting Ayurveda hospitals in Kerala can soon give overwhelming evidence to the effectiveness of this ancient medical practice.

The only available option before Ayurvedic pharmaceutical companies in Kerala and India is to follow strict in-house quality control measures. A few Ayurvedic pharmaceutical companies in Kerala have started farming of herbs, and sourcing them from farmers. The farmers will benefit in a great way if the companies insist in using only herbal pesticides like neem oil cake and manures in place of fertilizers. These steps, when implemented vigorously can give Ayurvedic medicines the quality it deserves.

Yes, it is a fact. Astrology had (and still has) a place in Ayurveda. Indian astrology is closely related to astronomy. Just like Ayurveda, astronomy too was greatly developed in India till before the invasion of Romans, Alexandrians, Persians, Portuguese, and lastly the English.

Astrology in Ayurveda studies the planetary movements (which they accurately calculated) and their effects on nature, human body, physiology and lives. Each heavenly object has connection with a specific body element (dhatu) and their movements have effects on body tissues. The position or movement of the heavenly objects (mainly planets of the solar system) has direct influence on the mind and body, affecting the thinking process and physical conditions.

Each planet or heavenly object directly affects specific body or mental condition. For example sun is responsible for circulatory deficiencies, anemia and indigestion, whereas moon can cause circulatory disorders and lunacy. Mars affect liver, while mercury affects nervous system, venus cause respiratory and sexual problems while Saturn causes rheumatism and excretory problems. The sun, Rahu and Ketu are the three basic points lying at balance.

Just as each planet cause specific conditions, there are herbs for curing ailments associated with specific planets. For example Aswagandha (Withania somnifera) cures diseases associated with Ketu and Brahmi (Bacopa monierri) cures imbalances caused due to the action of Rahu and Mercury.

Gemology in Ayurvedic Astrology
Choice of gemstones – diamond, rubies, pearls, sapphires, etc can minimize the impact of planets. Only an experienced astrologer can pick the right gem for you. If you wear a wrong gem, it can aggravate the planetary afflictions and the results will be unforeseen problems. Afflictions of mars, mercury and moon can be minimized by red coral, emerald, blue pearls.

Malabar region Kerala lies at the northern part of Kerala. The region comprises of districts like Kannur, Kasaragod, Malappuram etc. Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Pharmacy is the icon of Ayurveda in Malabar, Kerala, India.

Ayurveda is practiced in this area since some thousand years ago. The work of traditional Ayurveda practitioners has given Ayurveda the desirable levels of popularity in the region. The self-less activity of vaidyas (Ayurvedic physicians) have given the necessary foothold for Ayurveda in Malabar region of Kerala.

Ayurveda, the treatment method that originated in India about 5000 years is now regaining its past glory through global acclamation. The word Ayurveda is a combination of two Sanskrit words – ayur (life) and veda (science) and the word roughly translates into ‘the science of life’. Ayurveda principles are based on living in strict harmony with nature. According to Ayurvedic principles, diseases are caused when someone loses the balance in mind, body or soul.

Ayurveda is also known as Asthanga Veda (science with eight branches) because Ayurveda is classified into eight different branches of treatment – Kaya Chikitsa (general medicine) Kaumara Bhritya (pediatrics), Graha Chikitsa (psychology), Shalakya Chikitsa (Treatment for diseases of eye, nose, throat, eye and head), Shalya Tantra (technique of Surgery), Agada Tantra (Toxicology), Rasayana Chikitsa (Rejuvenation treatment) and Vajeekarana Chikitsa (Aphrodisiac Treatment).

Indians ascribe divinity to Ayurveda. Dhanwanthari (Dhanvantari, Dhanwantari, Dhanvathari) , an incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu gave the science of life to humans through some sages. The literature of Ayurveda was recorded in palm leaves, copper plates and stones. The knowledge was transferred through generations through word of mouth, through a systematic educational system called Gurukul (Gurukula) education. The students live at the ashrams of the sage teachers and learn the science directly from the mouth of their teacher.

The main traditions followed in Ayurveda are Charaka (after Charaka Samhitha by ancient physicist Charaka), Sushrutha (the founder of surgery) and less known Kashyapa. Education lasts for many years (usually seven). At the end of education, the student has to give a Guru Dakshina (an offering) to his teacher. In one specific instance, the Guru of Jeevaka (the physician that treated Buddha) asked him to give him a plant with no medicinal value at all. Jeevaka searched and searched for years and could not find a plant with no medicinal value. He then come to see his teacher empty handed and says: “Guruji, I am not able to locate a plant with no medicinal value, I could not give you the Guru Dakshina, Pardon Me”. His guru smiled and said, this is my Guru Dakshina, and you now know nothing in this universe is useless or meaningless. Under suitable conditions, everything (living things, non-living things, matter and energy in different forms) in this universe assume significance.

The main concept of Ayurveda is that everything is composed of Panchabhootas (Akash – space, Bhoomi – earth, Jal – water, vayu – air and agni – fire). These five bhootas combine to form three doshas or tridoshas (Vata – akash and vayu, Pitta – agni and jal and kapha – jal and bhoomi).

Ayurvedic treatment consists of four basic forms – medication, panchakarma, dietary regulation and lifestyle regulation. Medication is the application of medicines, dietary regime includes the control of food habits for proper health, panchakarma is five different karmas or systems of Ayurvedic therapy and lifestyle control. They all work as both cure and prevention methods.

Panchakarma is the most important of all treatment methods. It is a process of careful expelling of toxins or excess doshas from the body system. Panchakarma mainly focuses to regain the natural healing power of body.