For thousands of years, a holistic approach has popularized ancient healing systems. We treat the whole person, not just the disease or problem.
Ayurveda, the world’s oldest known system of medicine, is a powerful therapeutic tool to overcome disease, alleviate symptoms, and improve overall health.
Introduction to Ayurveda
The word Ayurveda is composed of the Indian words “Ayur” meaning “life” and “Veda” meaning “knowledge,” and is translated as “science of life.” This ancient wisdom originated in India thousands of years ago and incorporates interconnections, elements, and life forces (doshas) to encourage and promote health and disease prevention.
Ayurveda treats diseases according to the holistic needs of the individual: body, mind, and spirit. The key part is achieving balance, and this can be done through a variety of practices including meditation, yoga, and other integrative medicine.
Its sister science, yoga
Both yoga and Ayurveda are healing sciences that originate from the same Vedic ancestor. But while Ayurveda is a science, yoga is a practice of science.
When working with Ayurvedic practitioners, yoga and meditation are often incorporated, and the more yoga you incorporate, the more you learn about Ayurveda.
deciphering the doshas
Ayurveda explains that everything and everyone in the universe is made up of five elements: earth, fire, air, water, and ether. They represent the state of mind and emotions, as well as the density of all matter in the universe (solid, liquid, radiation, gas, ether). These five elements combine to form three life forces within the human being called doshas.
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Each person is made up of a unique combination of the three doshas known as Kapha, Pitta, and Vata. A portion of each dosha is within all of us. However, many people have one or two doshas dominant. Like fingerprints, they are unique to a person and determine their physical, emotional, and mental characteristics. Additionally, each dosha has a specific role in the body, controlling the simplest to the most complex cellular, physiological, and psychological functions.
Throughout a person’s body, the doshas increase and decrease based on environmental and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, season, climate, and age. Dosha imbalances can affect your health, energy, mood, and illness.
disease and imbalance
Dr. Virender Sodhi of the Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Medical Clinic in Washington states, “According to Ayurveda, imbalances in the doshas can lead to inherent intelligence deficiencies, leading to genetic malfunction and genetic behavior that can lead to cancer. It is believed that it can lead to diseases such as.”
An imbalance of doshas in the body can cause disease, and there are stages in how the disease manifests. First, something called ama, or toxins, begins to accumulate in the body. Causes of imbalance include:
- weak digestion (agni)
- Excessive intake of cold or raw food
- Lack of sleep
- industrial pollutants
- Lack of exercise and conscious practice
- sugar, processed products, fried foods
- tobacco and alcohol
These ama build up in the body and cause the body to become unbalanced. As a result, the system deteriorates and the body is no longer able to function as it should. The ama continues to grow and overflow, causing local outbreaks and manifesting as disease. The goal of Ayurveda is to clean and balance the ama as often as possible.
Complementary treatment
Just as the elements and doshas determine each person’s character, they also determine the need for cancer treatment. Treatment by Ayurvedic practitioners still recommends chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and any treatment to remove and kill the cancer. However, Ayurveda practitioners will also discuss lifestyle changes. among them:
- daily practice. There are many daily habits you can incorporate to remove ama, aid digestion, and improve your health. From tongue scraping to drinking hot lemon water to dry brushing, Ayurvedic practitioners work with each patient to determine the best option for their type of cancer. For example, some cancer patients may have sores on their tongue, which may limit their ability to rub their tongue. Some people need to avoid lemons for medicinal purposes.
- Eating and Digestion. Digestion is very important and can be especially problematic for cancer patients. It is lost through various medications and dietary restrictions. An Ayurvedic practitioner can help create a nutritional plan that incorporates a person’s needs based on their dominant dosha and diagnosis.
- physical activity. Ayurvedic practitioners find options that are appropriate for an individual’s mobility, diagnosis, and limitations. This can be as simple as a walk and can be a very active exercise regimen.
- relaxation and meditation. Ayurveda incorporates lifestyle practices centered around medication and relaxation. This includes massage, yoga, breathing exercises, meditation, and more. However, the choices depend on a person’s needs and dominant dosha.
- sleep. There’s something called the Ayurvedic clock, which says you should go to bed around 10pm to get enough sleep and stay balanced. Ayurvedic practitioners discuss sleep on an individual level and recommend getting enough sleep to overcome diagnosis and prevent disease.
- stress and mood. When stress is reduced, your immune system functions better, allowing you to accept treatment and fight cancer. There are many daily habits you can incorporate to reduce stress and improve your mood.
- Treatment according to symptoms. Depending on the type of cancer, people experience different symptoms. Ayurvedic practitioners address specific symptoms based on the diagnosis and the person’s dominant dosha. For example, if someone is feeling tired, you can recommend breathing exercises or gentle movements. This allows the patient to get out of bed and move around without straining.
Ayurveda, in conjunction with modern medicine, offers each person a unique approach to life, health, and overcoming disease. Rather than a standard treatment, each patient receives a personalized experience that looks at every aspect of who they are.
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Categories: Behavioral Health, Cancer, Health Information, Symptom Management
