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 or bodywork.
Like traditional Chinese medicine herbal products, Ayurvedic herbal 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.
Insufficient Evidence to Make a Determination for …
- Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that uses a variety of treatments including herbs, specific combinations of herbal ingredients, meditation, yoga, and bodywork. See specific therapies for effectiveness information.
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. Practitioners of Ayurveda believe disease occurs when there is imbalance in the doshas. Kapha is the dosha that governs structure, cohesion, and lubrication. Pitta is the dosha that governs energy. Vata is the dosha that governs movement and mind.
Like traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda uses herbs or specific combinations of herbal ingredients to help balance bodily processes. Many of the herbs commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine are used in Ayurveda. Ayurveda also uses diet, exercise, lifestyle changes, and bodywork to treat illness.
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