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Ayurveda or Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system of health care
that is native to the Indian subcontinent. The word "Ayurveda" roughly
translates as the "knowledge of life". According to Charaka, "life" itself is
defined as the "combination of the body, sense organs, mind and soul, the factor
responsible for preventing decay and death, which sustains the body over time,
and guides the processes of rebirth". According to this perspective, Ayurveda is
concerned with measures to protect "ayus", which includes healthy living along
with therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social and spiritual
harmony. Ayurveda is also one among the few traditional systems of medicine to
contain a sophisticated system of surgery.
Ayurveda operates on the precept that various materials of vegetable, animal,
and mineral origin have some medicinal value. The medicinal properties of these
materials have been documented by the practitioners and have been used for
centuries to cure illness and/or help maintain good health. Ayurvedic
medicaments are made from herbs or mixtures of herbs, either alone or in
combination with minerals, metals and other ingredients of animal origin. The
metals, animals, and minerals are purified by individual processes before being
used for medicinal purposes.
Ayurvedic massage is a form of treatment for various age related and other
common disorders. Some of the advantages which can be cited are pain relief,
improved circulation, stress relief, better sleep, flexibility, athletic
performance and emotional benefits. Massage therapy can soothe pain, relax stiff
muscles, and reduce the swelling that accompanies arthritis. Advocates claim
that, with ayurvedic massage, deep-seated toxins in the joints and tissues are
loosened and released into the system for elimination through natural
toxin-release processes.
As a result of strong regulations in medical practice in Europe and America, the
most commonly practiced Ayurvedic treatments in the west are massage, dietary
and herbal advice.
(Adapted from Wikipedia, The
Free Encyclopedia)
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