Ayurveda

What is it?

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that uses a wide variety of methods for diagnosing and treating many different medical conditions. Treatments commonly used in Ayurveda include meditation with controlled breathing, exercise, diet, herbs, and massage.

Like traditional Chinese medicine herbal products, Ayurvedic products have suffered from poor quality. Some Ayurvedic products have been contaminated with prescription drugs including corticosteroids and NSAIDs. Other products have been contaminated with high concentrations of heavy metals including mercury, arsenic, and lead.

Natural Medicines rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for Ayurveda are as follows:

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for…

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that uses a variety of treatments including herbs and specific combinations of herbal ingredients. See specific therapies for effectiveness information.

Ayurveda literally means “the science of life.” It was developed in India over 2000 years ago. The foundations of Ayurveda were established by the originators of Indian meditation and yoga.

Ayurveda parallels traditional Chinese medicine in many respects. The focus of treatment is on the whole person, and balancing or harmonizing body, mind, and spirit.

In Ayurveda there are three bodily “humors” (doshas) that regulate bodily function. Each of these doshas is responsible for a particular area of the body. Practitioners of Ayurveda believe disease occurs when there is imbalance in the doshas. Kapha is the dosha that governs structure, cohesion, and lubrication. It’s located primarily in the upper torso. Pitta is the dosha that governs energy. It is located primarily in the middle of the body. Vata is the dosha that governs movement, including the mind. It is located primarily in the lower abdomen.

Like traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda uses herbal products to help balance bodily processes. Ayurveda uses herbals in fixed combinations or formulations. Many of the herbs commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine are also used in Ayurveda.

Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that uses a variety of treatments including herbs and specific combinations of herbal ingredients. Some of these are safe while others may not be. See specific therapies for safety information.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: See specific therapies for safety.

See specific Ayurvedic therapies for information about interactions with medications.

See specific Ayurvedic therapies for information about interactions with herbs and supplements.

There are no known interactions with foods.

Ayurvéda, Ayurvedic Medicine, Médecine Ayurvédique, Médecine Traditionnelle Asiatique, Médecine Traditionnelle Indienne, TAM, TIM, Traditional Asian Medicine, Traditional Indian Medicine.

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