Origins of Alternative Medicine
An Interview about the Emergence of Alternative Med. with a Practitioner of:
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Ayurveda, considered the most ancient existing medical system, is a 4,000 year-old Indian method of healing that includes diet, natural therapies and herbs dependent on body type. Ayurvedic medicine places equal emphasis on body, mind, and spirit, and strives to restore the innate harmony of the individual. |
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| Description:
Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that means "the science of lifespan." The word ayurveda is made up of two roots: ayur means life and veda means knowledge. According to ayurveda, every human being was created by the cosmos as either male energy, Purusha, or female energy, Prakruti. Purusha is choiceless passive awareness, while Prakruti is choiceful active consciousness. A person's self-identify, called Ahamkara, is affected by three universal qualities: satva, rajas, and tamas. Satva equips an individual with the ability to have clarity of perception. Conversely, tamas is responsible for periods of confusion and deep sleep, as well as the tendency towards inertia and darkness. Rajas causes movement, sensations, feelings and emotions, everything that makes us human beings. Structurally, the human body is composed of five basic elements: space, air, water, fire and earth. Man is considered a miniature of nature. Functionally, however, there are three body types, or doshas, that explain the actions, gestures, and metabolic activities of an individual. These three body types are analogous to both western medicine's body types of thin, fat, and muscular, or Sheldon and Krethchmer's psychosomatic bodytypes of endomorph, mesomorph, and ectomorph. The three doshas of ayurvedic medicine are called vata, pitta, and kapha, respectively. Ether and air together constitute vata; fire and water make up pitta; water and earth, kapha. Although vata, pitta, and kapha exist in every cell, tissue, and organ of the body, including the male's sperm and the female egg, each individual has one dominant metabolic body type (dosha). Most people are a mixture of dosha characteristics (such as vata-pitta). All in all, while there are only three doshas, there are really seven body types in ayurveda: mono-types (vata, pitta, or kapha predominate), dual-types (vata-pitta, kapha-pitta, or vata-kapha), and equal types (vata, pitta, and kapha in equal proportions). Health occurs in an individual when he or she develops a balance or equilibrium among the three doshas. This equilibium prevents disease and gives the individual a peace of mind. The most outspoken proponent of ayurvedic medicine has been Deepak Chopra, M.D., Western-trained endocrinologist who recently appeared on Larry King Live on CNN to discuss with several alternative medicine advocates and conventional medicine physicians the importance of his discipline as well as alternative medicine in general. He has written many books in an attempt to introduce ayurvedic medicine to the public at large. According to ayurvedic medicine, there are seven major factors that can disrupt physiological harmony: genetic, congenital, internal, external trauma, seasonal, natural tendencies or habits, and magnetic and electrical influences. Unlike most other alternative therapies, ayurvedic medicine takes into account how the seasons and time of day influence health. Ayurvedic treatment usually includes music, herbs, massage, steams, facials, and aromatherapy. Particularly close attention is paid to the sensory organs by an ayurvedic physician. The manipulation of a patient's life as well as his or her behavior and lifestyle is prevalent in ayurvedic medicine. |
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| The Vata Body Type: | ||
| The primary characteristic of the vata metabolic type is changeability-unpredictability and variability-in size, shape, mood, and action. Vatas rarely suffer from inertia; their energy vacillates back and forth, their sleeping patterns are erratic, and they seek exhilarating activities. Most vatas are thin, moody, exhuberant, rambunctious. Many of them suffer from psychological disorders, including anxiey, nervous disorders, phobia. | ||
| The Pitta Body Type: | ||
| This metabolic type is rather predictable, especially in comparison to the vata type. A person with a dominant pitta body type usually has a medium build, is strong, has stamina and endurance, and maintains a stable body weight. Pittas are generally very intelligent, quick-witted, and overly critical. They possess little patience, a short temper, and may erupt from time to time. | ||
| The Kapha Body Type: | ||
| A person with a dominant kapha metabolic body type is easy-going. laid-back, and relaxed. They have a tendency to be overweight because they digest rather slowly (low metabolism). They tend to be slow at everything they do, contrary to vatas who are always on the run. They move slowly, eat slowly, act slowly, think slowly, and are slow to anger. | ||
| Method: | ||
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The purpose of ayurvedic medicine is to rid the body of indigestible toxins which attract viruses and compromise autoimmune processes and responses. Pancha karma is an oft-used method of ayurveda which involves the use of herbal massages and herbal steam saunas with fasting to cleanse the body of toxins and other pernicious invaders. The first task that an ayurvedic doctor has in nursing an individual back to complete health is to determine his or her psycho-physiological body type. The doctor then orders a treatment plan for the patient that works only for his unique body type. The treatment plan may include dietary changes, exercise, yoga, meditation, massage, herbal tonics, herbal sweat baths, medicated enemas, and medicated inhalations. In trying to determine the right diet for the patient, the doctor is fully aware that foods are classified according to their effects on the specific body types. The patient's diet is tailored to his or her body type and individual imbalances among the vata, pitta, and kapha within him or her. The major ayurvedic treatment for a multitude of physical and mental conditions is an herbal mixture concocted by the doctor. In addition to this herbal mixture, the doctor must get the patient in tune with his or her environment. He does this by asking the patient to follow daily and seasonal routines that will help the patient integrate with the biological circadian rhythms of nature. The ayurvedic doctor always has to keep in mind that the three doshas are located in three separate places. The vata is located in the large intestine, pelvic cavity, bones, skin, ears, and thighs. It is responsible for repiration and circulation. The pitta dosha is located in the small intestine, stomach, sweat glands, blood, skin, and eyes. It is responsible for metabolism and organizing enzyme activity. The kapha dosha is located in the chest, lungs, and the spinal fluid surrounding the spinal cord. The kapha holds the body together. It provides structure and support for the bones, muscle, and insulated fat. Ayurvedic physicians pay close attention to pulse, tongue, eyes, and nails in diagnosing illness. Diagnosis is based on observation rather than laboratory testing. The doctor will ask the patient about his health and family histories. In addition, he may palpate the body, or listen to the heart, lungs, and intestines with a stethoscope. Ayurvedic doctors use urine samples and the pulse to describe the balance (or imbalance) of the three doshas. Ayurvedic treatment then consists of cleansing and detoxification (Shodan or Pancha Karma), palliation (Shaman) to balance and relax the three doshas, rejuvenation (Rasayana), and mental hygiene and spiritual healing (Satvajaya) |
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Common cures:
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Ayurvedic medicine treats the majority of its patients with herbal mixtures and other organic foods and substances. Ayurveda has a legacy of using herbal preparations that have been clinically tested and are now being scientifically validated. Some of the other alternative treatments ayurveda utilizes to maximize a patient's homeostasis and energy balance include, diet, meditation, massage, oxygen therapy (breathing), yoga, and music therapy. |
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Modern medicine's perspective: Ayurvedic medicine treats the majority of its patients with herbal mixtures and other organic foods and substances. Ayurveda has a legacy of using herbal preparations that have been clinically tested and are now being scientifically validated. Some of the other alternative treatments ayurveda utilizes to maximize a patient's homeostasis and energy balance include, diet, meditation, massage, oxygen therapy (breathing), yoga, and music therapy. |
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| Case Studies: | ||
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#1: In a very interesting heart case, a fifty-five-year-old Asian male who experienced chest pain so severe he could barely walk came to Dr. Virender Sodhi's office. The man was told by other physicians prior to meeting with Dr. Sodhi that he should get bypass surgery as soon as possible or the consequences could be fatal. Dr. Sodhi ran a battery of tests on the man and found from angiographic studies that the patient's coronary arteries (the arteries that supply blood to the heart) were blocked-the left main coronary artery was 90 percent blocked and the anterior descending was 80 percent narrowed. Blood test indicated elevated cholesterol levels at 278 and decreased HDL (good cholesterol) at 38. Dr. Sodhi determined the patient to have a pitta-kapha body type and started him on a cleansing program that included a change of diet, and appropriate herbs. After three months, the man's cholesterol levels dropped more than 30 percent and HDL's rose to 48. Moreover, the man's exercise tolerance dramatically improved and he became able to walk longer distances and to jog on the treadmill with no symptoms. EKG (electrocardiogram) reading have shown improvement in the man's cardiovascular system. |
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| Links & Resources: | ||
| <http://www.ayurveda.com/index.shtml> | ||
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Health World Online <http://www.healthy.net/clinic/therapy/index.shtml> This website is the alternative & complementary medicine center.
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Ayurveda: Medicine of the Gods <http://www.compulink.co.uk/~mandrake/ayurveda.htm> This site explains the basic principles of ayurvedic medicine. |
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The National Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine <http://www.niam.com/> Recognized as the largest and most authentic resource of information on ayurvedic medicine in the United States.
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Ayurveda,
a Holistic Path http://www.mindxpansion.com/aainfo.htm
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| Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide; Compiled by the Burton Goldberg Group; Future Medicine Publishing, Inc.; Puyallup, Washington; copyright 1994. | ||
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| The Ayurvedic Institute 11311 Menaul NE, Suite A Albuquerque, New Mexico 87112 (505) 291-9698 http://www.ayurveda.com/index.shtml> This site has an ayurvedic information center, an academic catalog, and a means for internet users to introduce themselves to the fundamental principles of ayurveda. | ||
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| American School of Ayurvedic Sciences 10025 NE 4th Street Bellevue, Washington 98004 (206) 453-8022 | ||
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| The College of Maharishi Ayur-Veda Health Center P.O. Box 282 Fairfield, Iowa 52556 (515) 472-5866 | ||
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| Invincible Athletics P.O. Box 541 Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523 (508) 368-1818 | ||
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Sharp Institute for Human Potential and Mind-Body Medicine 8010 Frost Street, Suite 300 San Diego, California 92123 (800) 82-SHARP |
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| Canadian Association of Ayurvedic Medicine P.O. Box 749 Station 'B' Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1P 5P8 (613) 837-5737 7. The Maharishi Ayur-Veda Health Center, RR #2 Huntsville, Ontario Canada P0A 1K0 (705) 635-2234 | ||
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| Healthy Healing: An Alternative Healing Reference, ninth edition, by Linda G. Rector-Page, N.D., Ph.D.; copyright 1992. | ||
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New England Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine, Inc. 111Elm Street, #103-105, Worcester, MA 01609 Tel: 508/755-3744; Fax: 508/770-0618 |
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