Ayurveda for complete health

Ayurveda is the science of positive health and fulfillment in life. Ayu=life and Veda=knowledge/science. The ancient scripture that details much of the knowledge is the attar veda.

Most people interested in alternative medicine know something about Ayurveda, probably that it categorises people into different body types, or doshas (vata, pitta and kapha). But these categories are not just body types, but are considered as elements that constitute everything in nature and in the body, since the body is a microcosm of the larger universe. It has a completely different conception of the body structure than Western medicine, and can be difficult for those of us even with just a basic knowledge of human biology to comprehend. Nonetheless, each mode of understanding is valid in its own right, and just because we may not understand does not mean it is wrong. For example, nowadays there is significant research substantiating the effectiveness of acupuncture, which is based on Chinese medicine and has certain similarities to Ayurveda. So even if we can't completely describe why something may work, we shouldn't discount it (yet so many Western skeptics do).

According to Ayurveda, there are four dimensions of wellbeing: physical, mental, social and spiritual.

A proverb from Kerala says, "The person who spends a little on oil can save a lot on doctors." Abhayanga ("laying oil on the body," i.e. massage) is a crucial aspect of Ayurveda well-known to the tourists of India. It is used to promote wellness, and not just treat illness, so it is the ultimate in preventative medicine. It aids the body in detoxification by improving circulation and relaxation, well-known to increase immunity and life span. The power of touch is only just now beginning to be recognised in the medical establishment.

For more info:
AYUSH, the Department of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy.

Ayurveda on Wikipedia.

I did a course in Ayurvedic massage here. See also Dr. Rajesh's new blog.