What Is Ayurveda or Ayurvedic Medicine?

Ayurveda, or Ayurvedic medicine, is a traditional and holistic medical system that originated in India over 5,000 years ago. It is one of the oldest medical systems in the world and continues to be a traditional healthcare system in modern India. The term Ayurveda is derived from Sanskrit and means science of life. Ayurveda focuses on the prevention and treatment of illness through balancing the mind, body, and consciousness with an appropriate diet, lifestyle, and the use of herbs. 

Ayurvedic beliefs indicate that every individual has three energy types (doshas) which are known as vata, pitta, and kapha. Each energy controls a specific function in the body. Vata dosha controls functions associated with motion; pitta dosha controls the metabolic systems, and kapha dosha controls growth. When these energies are unbalanced, they can cause illness or negative emotional responses. Unbalanced vata results in anxiety and fear; unbalanced pitta results in anger and ulcers; and unbalanced kapha results in envy and insecurity. Energy balance can be negatively affected by factors such as unhealthy eating habits, stress, poor family relationships, or the weather. Ayurvedic treatments address these imbalances to help restore health and well-being. 

There have been a few clinical trials and studies with findings that have suggested Ayurvedic treatments are effective for concerns such as knee pain, arthritis symptoms, type 2 diabetes, and some aspects of ulcerative colitis and cancer. However, some findings have also shown that the safety of Ayurvedic products can be questionable since some may include high levels of lead, heavy metals, mercury, and arsenic. It should be noted that around 20% of Ayurvedic medicines are classified as Rasashastra, which combines gems, metals, and minerals as the ingredients. Among these Ayurvedic medicines, some purposely contain lead or mercury as part of the treatment. Being mindful of this, individuals interested in Ayurvedic medicine are encouraged to consult with their physician to examine the benefits and risks associated with its use. 

Sources 

“Ayurveda”. Mount Sinai. https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/treatment/ayurveda 

“Ayurvedic Medicine: In Depth”. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ayurvedic-medicine-in-depth 

“What is Ayurveda and Does It Work?”. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-ayurveda