Pancha koshas

Pancha koshas According to ayurveda, there are five distinct sheaths or koshas.


1. The food sheath or annamaya kosha
2. The vital sheath or air sheath or pranamaya kosha
3. The mental sheath or manomaya kosha
4. The intellectual sheath or vignanamaya kosha
5. The bliss sheath or anandamaya kosha




Before we go into a minute study of the composition and nature of various sheaths, we will try to understand the philosophical implications of the term ‘interior’ when we say that one sheath is interior to the other, we only mean that the inner one is subtler than the outer. The subtlety of a sheath is measured by its pervasiveness. Eg : Four cubic inches of ice could melt into water which can be spread to a larger area and hence philosophically we say water is subtler than ice. If we heat that water it could get converted into steam that can spread itself into the entire atmosphere of the room and we say steam is subtler than water. Similarly the physical body is the grossest. The vital air that we take in can be blown out to pervade a greater area than that which is occupied by the body. So we consider the vital air sheet subtler than gross food sheath.
Food sheath or annamaya kosha


The physical body which everyone of us is fully aware during our waking state of consciousness is termed as food sheath. The substance of the physical structure, rising from food, existing in food and going back to food naturally is termed as food sheath.
The vital sheath or air sheath or pranamaya kosha


The air that we breath in gets mixed up with the blood and reaches every cell of our body. The vital air sheath controls all the organs of action, according to the different function it performs. Ayurveda has classified it under the panchapranas.
The mental sheath or manomaya kosha


None of us is entirely unaware of the existence of a mind in us. Mind is the seat that entertains our emotions, joy, doubt, fears etc. Mind can go in its flights to things and places seen or heard because of it vast reaches, it is considered subtler than the above said or mentioned.
The intellectual sheath or vignanamaya kosha


Very often, we find that the mind and intellect are considered one and the same. But in ayurveda intellect or budhi is considered subtler than mind because it adventures forth into realms farther than what it had heard before or seen. Intellect is the decision maker.
The bliss sheath or anandamaya kosha


This sheath is the seat of pure joy or bliss that transcends all known experiences of oneself before. It happens in a deeper state of consciousness.

Right body type diet

How to choose the right body type diet ?


1. Choose the diet that balance your dominant doshas
2. Get an advice from a specialist also
3. Make certain modifications in your basic diet according to changes in seasons.

Vata pacifying diet


* Favour warm food, salt, sour and sweet taste, moderately heavy textures
* Favour vegetables likebeets ,carrots,cucumbers,greenbeans,okra,sweetpotatoes,onions,garlic
* Favour fruits likebananas,grapes,dates,apricots,cherries,mangoes,melons,plums,peaches
* Favour oats,rice and wheat
* Favour seafood and chicken
* All oils are acceptable specially sesame oil
* Nuts are good for vata people specially almonds
* Spices like cumin,asafetida,blackpepper,basil are all good in moderate amounts
* Avoid vegetables like broccoli,cabbage,eggplant,leafy vegetables,potatoes,tomatoes,peas,zucchini
* Avoid or reduce fruits like apples,pomergranates, cranberries,dried fruits in general
* Avoid corn, buckwheat,rye,dry oats,millet etc
* Avoid red meat
* Avoid all peas except mung dal
* Reduce the usage of all spices

Pitta pacifying diet


* Favour cool or warm,bitter, sweet and astringent tastes,less butter and added fat
* Favour vegetables like cabbage,celery,asparagus,broccoli,leafyvegetables,lettuce,mushrooms,peas ,potatoes,cauliflower etc
* Favour fruits like apples,melons,oranges,pears, pineapples,prunes,raisins,plums etc
* Favour grains like barley,oats and dairy products like milk and butter
* Favour eggwhites,chicken and shrimp
* Favour mung beans,coconut and in oils olive oil
* Favour spices like coriander seeds,turmeric,cardamom,fennel etc
* Avoid vegetables like beets,carrots,eggplant,garlic,peppers,onions,spinach ,tomatoes,raddish
* Avoid fruits like cherries,grapefruit,cranberries,papayas,grengrapes,oranges,
* Avoid brownrice,millet,rye and corn
* Reduce buttermilk,yoghurt,sourcream,cheese etc
* Avoid or reduce redmeat and seafood in general
* Avoid lentils, corn and sawflower oil
* All sweeteners are acceptable except honey and molasses
* Reduce or avoid sour salad dressins,sauces,spicy condiments,vinegar,pickles etc

Kapha pacifying diets


* Favour warm light food,dry and cooked without much water,minimum of butter ,oil and sugar,favour bitter and astringent tastes
* Favour vegetables like asparagus,beets,okra,uits , Lettuce, mushrooms, cabbage, eggplant, leafyvegetables, potatoes, carrots, spinach, peppers etc
* Favour fruits like apples, pears, pomegranates, apricots, cranberries and dried fruits in general.
* Favour grains like barley, buck wheat, corn, rye, millet etc..
* Favour dairy products like milk, eggs, chicken, shrimp
* Favour almonds, corn, sun flower oils, sun flower seeds, pumpkin seeds
* Ginger is the best spice for improving digestion
* Avoid seeds and juicy vegetables such as cucumber, tomatoes, sweet potatoes etc.
* Avoid fruits like mangos, banana, dates, grapes, pineapple, plumps, peaches, oranges, papaya etc.
* Reduce grains like oats, rice and wheat,
* Avoid red-meat and sea food in general.
* Avoid or reduce salt intake

How to live in tune with nature/ To improve the quality of your life

In Ayurveda living in tune with nature is something very precise-having healthy desire that match your actual needs. As long as your needs and desires match, you are living in tune with nature. For example your food should taste delicious for you at the same time it should be nutritious.

Everyone has the right to expose himself to any kind of influence he wants but the physician's role is to warn against those influences that damage our well being. Satva exists in all of us as our instinct for balance, our life enhancing attitudes, our innate dignity and respect for others, and our love. As you increase in Satva, you move in the direction of higher evolution. Then the phrase living in tune with nature reveals its meaning.

Few tips for improving the quality of your life

* Wake with the sun everyday in the morning for high energy levels
* Be pleasant and tolerant towards everyone
* Take time everyday for relaxation
* Act on due reflection, not impulsive or precisely be proactive not reactive
* Refrain from mental poisons like anger, jealousy, criticism, lying etc
* Be generous with others in everyway
* Avoid violent, crude or shocking books or other forms of entertainment (According to Ayurveda the sight of violence get translated to unhealthy impulses in our cells that can ultimately lead to psychological imbalances.)
* Avoid negative emotions and people
* Keep relationships healthy and loving
* Have moderate exercises daily
* Eat light and natural foods
* Sip warm water with your meal
* Never eat when you are upset
* Avoid ice cold drink and food
* Don’t talk while chewing food
* Always sit-down to eat
* Eat in a settled atmosphere
* Minimise raw foods, cooked foods digest easily
* Experience all the six tastes in every meal
* During each meal leave a quarter of your stomach for digestion

JAI AYURVEDAM ! JAI JAI AYURVEDAM !

All are welcome to join and share their Ayurvedic treatment experiences and tips.

The term Ayurveda is first mentioned in Sanskrit scripts by Ayurvedic practitioners like Sushruta, Charaka, Kasyap, etc in their Samhitas now known as Sushrutha Samhita, Charaka Samhita, Kasyapa Samhita. Bhela is also another practitioner who mentioned the term Ayurveda.

Ayurveda, in its modern form is believed to have come into existence around 600 BC. The Panchabhoota and Tridosha concepts would have developed from other sciences like numerology, yoga, theology, philosophy, etc.

Ardent lovers, and practitioners of Ayurveda, have written in palm leaves that Ayurveda, as a science of life has no beginning and end. It just passes to the mankind from the cosmic creator of this universe and everything in it Lord Brahma. Lord Shiva and the Sun God too are related with Ayurveda. The knowledge was later transferred to humans through hermits or sages. These sages (called Rishis), mainly Sage Athreya, Dhanwantary, Didodasa, Kasyapa, etc, instructed their disciples. Kasyapa Samhita explicitly tells that Ayurveda, Ayurvedic medicines, and Ayurvedic treatment methods originated well before the advent of human race.

Diseases, according to Ayurveda affect not only humans, but also all living and nonliving things. The sages have named the diseases affecting different living and non living things. Pakalam affects elephant, abhithapam horses, neelika water, ooshara earth, etc. Only humans can recognize the diseases and take appropriate steps to correct the conditions.

These disciples learned all the eight branches of Ayurveda, called Ashtanga or Asthangahridaya, namely Kaya Chikitsa (physician), Bala, Griha (home treatment women and children medicine), Urdhwanga, Salya (Surgery), Visha (toxicology), Rasayana, Vageekarana (aphrodisiac) chikitsakal or treatments.

The disciples later practiced these specializations and became experts in their fields. Sushruta is an example. He specialized in Salya Tantra or the technique of surgery. He is now considered the father of plastic surgery. Susrutha also used anesthesia before surgery.

About Ayurveda

Ayurveda is an ancient system of natural & medical healing originated in India. Ayur means life and Veda means Science. Thus Ayurveda means science of life. It gives a total approach to health, healing and Longevity. The holistic system of medicine is supposed to be the oldest form of health care system available on planet today. It is believed that other healing systems were influenced by the knowledge of Ayurveda.

The unique system of healing believes is not only treating the ailments of body alone but also the mind and spirit. The most amazing part of ayurveda is that it uses almost all methods of healing like yoga, meditation, purification, regime, astrology, and incorporates herbs, gems, colour, massages, diet, exercise etc, which can be individually used to heal a number of ailments in a suffering person.

According to Ayurveda everything in nature -the body, foods, season etc are all composed of five elements originally called panchmahabhuts. These are Earth, water, Fire, Air & Space. Practioners or Vaidyas group these five elements into three categories called Doshas. These are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. They believe that an imbalance in these doshas causes illness. Ayurveda believes is treating the sick and restoring the health of a healthy person.

The ancient wisdom of healing system was a part of spiritual tradition of Vedic religion. Dhanwanthari moorthy is considered as the god of Ayurveda. Originally four main books of spirituality, which covers a vast number of subjects from astrology, health, business etc are written in Sanskrit and are known as Vedas. These Vedas belongs to approximately 2500 B.C or earlier and known as oldest writing in the world. They are 1] Rigveda 2] Yajurveda 3] Samaveda and 4] Atharva Veda.

During 3000 to 2000 B.C Atharva Veda was written of which Ayurveda is upaveda [Sub-section]. This was first time the traditionally practiced oral form of ayvrveda was written in a text form as an independent service.

Atharva veda lists eight divisions of ayurveda. These are Kayachikitsa (Internal medicine), Shalakyachikitsa(surgery of head, neck ophthalmology (ornithology), Shalayachikista(Surgery), Agadtantra (toxicology), Bhootvidya(psychiatry),Kaumaryabhrityatantra(paediatrics), Rasayan(Gerontology or science of rejuvenation) and Vajikaran(science of fertility). The oldest treastise available on this version is Atreya Samhita.

Around 1500 B.C two school of thoughts existed and those made Ayurveda a scientifically verifiable and classified medical system.

1] Atreya-: The School of Physicians.

2] Dhanwantari-: The School of Surgery.

Both school thoughts had their own philosophy, diagnostic patterns, treatments and medicine. They had different followers and the texts were written by the school accordingly.

Ancient Ayurvedic School of Thoughts


The texts are divided into two major categories namely 1] Brihat trayi 2] Laghu trayi.
Brihattrayi includes Charaka Samhita, Sushrut Samhita and Ashtanga Hridayam.

Laghutrayi includes Sharangdhar Samhita, Bhavpakash and Madharnidam.

These text describes the basic principles and theories from which ayurveda has evolved. They also include vast clinical information of many diseases and their management.

Charaka is one of the most well known physician of ancient times. Charaka Samhita followed the Atreya School of thought and explains the logics and philosophy on which the system of medicine is based. Most of Charaka Samhita is in the form of meeting where Scholars taken into consideration before comes to conclusion. Thus ayurveda is a result of constant verification and authentication by a group of learned physicians.

Pinda Bramhanda Nyay:

According to the law of microcosm and macrocosm every thing that exist in the vast external universe or the macrocosm, also appears in the internal cosmos of the human body or the micro cosm. This in Sanskrit is known as the ' Pinda Bramhanda Nyay'. It is believed that the microcosmic body when healthy is self-perpetuating and self-correcting.

Pancha Mahabhuta(The five elements)

All the matters in the universe is made up of five elements such as Earth, Water, Fire, wind and space or void or ether. Earth represents the solid heavy state; water represents the free flowing liquid state. Fire represents a substance's ability to undergo change, wind represents the gaseous state, void or ether is space, which encompassed the matter.

Samaan Viparita Nyay.

Since body is also an object, it is also made up of five elements. The health is preserved only when these five elements comprising our body are in homogeneous state and equilibrium. Our food and life style has impact on this delicate balance of five elements. However these foodstuffs and lifestyles have three types of effects on the body.

1] It can act as food and nourish the body.
2] It can act as medicine and bring about balance in the elements.
3] or it can act as poison and disturb on the body functions.


Guna(Qualities)

Any substance ranging from fruits, vegetables, meat, grains, herbs, minerals etc are carriers of number of qualities. Some of the qualities of substance are very innate and cannot be segregated where as in others it can be changed by processing the substance.
Ayurveda lists ten pairs of qualities which are opposite to each other in nature. They are heavy&light, Slow acting and fast acting, cold and hot, Greasy and moist and dry, smooth and rough, viscous and clean, soft and hard, stable and mobile, subtle and gross, Sticky and non sticky.

Tridosha [Three functional Elements]

Three dosha activates all five elements in the human body. Five elements in the cosmic universe have their counterparts encompassed in tridoshas in the body. The work dosha is derived from the Sanskrit root 'dosh' meaning to corrupt. This dosha corrupts the tissue and the waste products in the body, which leads to diseases. However disease occurs only when there is an unibalance in those three doshas , where as in equilibrium they help to bring about all physical activities and chemical changes taking place in the body via digestion, assimilation, circulation, metabolism etc. These three dosha are vata, pitta and Kapha.


Vata is predominantly made up of air and ether elements, where as pitta is made mainly of fire while the Kapha has earth and water as its primary elements.

Dhatus: The three doshas displays their activity by acting through the tissues and the waste products that makes up the body. The food and water that we consume undergo chemical changes and produce seven tissues that are known as dhatus.

Herbal plants and medicinal properties

Botanical Name - Medicago Satina Indian Name - Alfalfa ALFALFA is nutritionally on of the most versatile herbs yet discovered. It is a leguminous herb which grows up to 50 cms in height. It has rich green alternate leaves, purplish flowers and adapts itself to widely varying conditions of soil and climate. Alfalfa appears to have been discovered by the Arabs who called it the 'king of kings' of plants and the father of all foods. Alfalfa is a native of Europe. It is now widely cultivated in the temperate regions, the subtropics and higher altitudes in the tropics. It is grown through out India. Alfalfa is a valuable source of vitamins A, B, D, E and G. It also has some vitamin C and K. The rich quality and quantity and proper balance of calcium, magnesium and phosphorous, chlorine, sodium, potassium and silicon is of special value in Alfalfa.

Properties :- The seeds, leaves and stems of the alfalfa plant have important properties- derived from the root of the plant which reach up to 12 meters in the subsoil and absorb the elusive trace minerals from the depths. The most important this trace minerals is manganese which is vital to the human digestive system in its manufacture of insulin. Alfalfa is an outstanding alkalizing food. Alfalfa build up for a healthy and vigorous old age and resistance to infection.

ANISEED Botanical Name - Pimpinella anisum Indian Name - Velaiti saunf Anise is an annual culinary herb belonging to ajwain or celery family. Its fruit, known as aniseed, is one of the oldest spices. The seed is ground-grey to greyish-brown in colour, oval in shape and 3.2 to 4.8 mm in length. It requires sunshine and warmth and does not grow satisfactorily in the tropical lowlands. Aniseed is a native of the Middle East. It was cultivated by ancient Egyptians, who valued its medicinal properties and culinary uses.Anise oil is a colourless or pale-yellow liquid, with the characteristic odour and taste of the fruit.

. Properties :- Aniseed is esteemed in medicine for its properties to relieve flatulence and to remove catarrhal and phelgm from the bronchial tube. These properties are due to the presence of the essential oil. The seed also copious perspiration and increases the volume and discharge of urine.

ARJUNA Top Botanical Name - Terminalia arjuna Indian Name - Kahu Arjuna is a dense tree attaining a height of 20 to 27 meters. It has long ,cone-shaped round leaves and white bark which gives out milky juice when cut. Mainly the bark of the tree is used in medicines. This tree has been named Nadisarjja in the early Sanskrit treatises, wherein its bark has been described as a cardiac tonic. Arjuna tree is indigenous to India. It is found throughout the sub-Himalayan tracts, the Deccan regions Myanmar and Srilanka. It grows chiefly along water channels or marshy belts. The bark contains unusually large quantities of calcium, aluminium and magnesium. It also contains a crystallic compound arjunine, lactone, arjunetin, essential oil, sugar and the colouring matter. In ayurveda the arjuna is beneficial in the treatment of asthma. Properties :- The bark of the arjuna tree is a cardiac stimulant and has cooling and tonic effects. It is useful in arresting secretion or bleeding. It helps to relieve fever. It is also useful in removing calculi or stones formed in the urinary system. ASAFOETIDA Botanical Name - Ferula northex Indian Name - Hing Asafoetida is a resinous gum of a tall perennial herb, with robust carrot-shaped roots. It is dirty yellow in color with a pungent smell. It is used as a flavouring agent and forms a constituent of many spice mixture. Asafoetida has several varieties which are distributed from the Mediterranean region to central Asia. An analysis of Asafoetida shows it to consist of carbohydrates 67.8 per 100 gms, moisture 16.0 per cent, protein 4.0 per cent, fat 1.1 per cent, minerals 7.0 per cent and fibre 4.1 per cent. Its minerals and vitamin contents include substantial calcium besides phossphorus, iron, carotene, riboflavin and niacin. . Properties :- Asafoetida has been heald in great esteem amongst indigenous medicines from the earliest times in India. It is reputed as a drug which expels wind from the stomach and counteracts any spasmodic disorders. It is also a digestive agent and a sedactive.

Ayurveda Resorts in Kerala

The Isola Di Cocco ("The Island of Coconuts"), a unique heritage resort cosseted by a coconut grove, residing on the banks of the river Poovar, at the juncture where the tranquil river embraces the roaring Arabian sea! Isola Di Cocco offers rooms, suites and condominiums, spread over 30 acres studded with palms and lush greenery. Privacy abounds at this upscale resort .where you'll enjoy romantic seaside dining, lively open-air bar, attentive staff, large fresh water pool, great backwater rides and lots of relaxation. Laze around the coconut grove or relax in a hammock with books from the well-stocked library of isola di cocco, poovar.

The Isola di coco resort is virtually encircled by water. Here nature offers you her bountiful best - a riverbank, a beach, lakes, ponds and backwaters. Look out from the resort , and you see the river beyond which is the delightful private beach and yonder, the sea.

A sense of exclusivity is evident immediately as you approach the entrance of Isola Di Cocco, which offers a warm and personal welcome. You will find secluded clusters of housing villas, each with its own balcony offering breath-taking views and reflecting typical Keralian architecture with flair. Lush, tropical landscaping, oceanfront pools and palm-laced stone walkways create a hideaway of tropical privacy.

Isola Di Cocco is a heritage resort like no other. Here you have the river, the lakes, the backwaters, countryboat rides and what's more, Ayurveda. If you dream of relaxing in a heritage room or lying on the beach, lulled by the sound of waves and the rustling of palm fronds stirred by tropical trade winds, then Isola Di Cocco is just right for you.

Ayurvedic centres

Ayurvedic Centers Place Established on Koyampathoor Aryavaidya	Pharmacy Koyampathoor	1943
	Oushadhi	Kochi	1975
	Nagarjuna	Kochi	1989
	Seetharam Ayurvedic Pharmacy	Kochi	1921
	S.D Pharmacy	Alapuzha	1939
	PankajaKasturi Katakkada,	Trivandrum	1989
	Kandamkulathi Vaidyasala	Trissur	1987
	Vaidyaraknam Oushadhasala	Trissur	1941
	Keraliya Ayurveda Samajam	Kozhicode	1902
	K.A.P.L Aluwai,	Eranakulam	1945
	S.N.A Oushadhasala Kadalundi,	Trissur	1920
	Santhosh Pharmacy	Malapuram	1971
	Dhesiya Ayurveda Pharmacy	Kozhicode	1946
	Ashoka Pharmasuticals	Kannur	1915
	Dhanvanthari Vaidhyasala	Thodupuzha, Idukki	1933
	Jayabharatham Oushdasala	Punalur, Kollam	1942
	P. K. M Ayurvedic Hospital & Research Center	Thaliparambu, Kannur

Treatment Method

The suitable medicine for the treatment of this condition are Simhanada guggulu. The main ingredient of the medicine for this treatment is guggulu. The patients having constipative tendency Simhanada guggulu is more useful. For any other type of patients, Mahayogaraja guggulu is a better medicine. The dose of both of them is , in the beginning , two tablets 3 times a day. After the intake of this medicine , healthy patients should be given a cup of warm water. For a weak and emaciated patients a cup of milk is indicated.
	Diet Curd, other sour things, pulses and their preparation are contra-indicated in this condition. Fried things and exceedingly cold things should be avoided as far as possible.
	Other regimens Sleep during daytime is prohibited. The patient should resort to only restricted physical exercise. Long walks at a fast speed and any exercise involving violent movement should be avoided.
	RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS Rheumatoid arthritis a generally progressive disease affecting primarily the joints which become swollen and painful. The muscles, ligaments, synovial membrane and the cartilages get inflamed and therefore movement of the joints becomes extremely painful. If it goes unchecked and the joint remains immobilized for long periods, ankylosis occurs. This leads to deformity and difficulty in movement.
	Treatment Method Mahayogaraj guggulu is given to the patient. In winter season it is given in a dose of two tablets 4 times a day. In summer season it is given in the dose of two tablets two times a day. Hot water or milk is given to the patient after these tablets. They are more effective when taken on empty stomach. Meditated oil namely Mahanarayana taila should be used for gentle massage over the joints. In the beginning the disease is affects the small joints in fingers. Stiffness of the small muscles of the hands is generally the next event and the fingers tend to get curved and ultimately become fixed. The infection then spread towards the trunk involving the wrist joints, ankle joints, elbow joints, knee joints, shoulders, hip and jaw. If the bigger joints are affected then Brihadvata chintamani is the drug of choice. It is given in the dose of .250gm 2 or 3 times a day, depending on the intensity of the pain. The condition of the patient has become chronic, Mahayogaraj guggulu and Brihadvata chintamani , a decoction called maharasnadi kwattha should be given to the patient.
	Diet Sour things, including curd are strictly prohibited. Pulses and preparations of pulses, fried things and constipating food should be shunned. Garlic and ginger are useful for the patient, it should be given to the patient twice daily along with food. Rice should be avoided.
	Other regimens Light and gentle exercise are always needed for the patient. He should not expose himself to cold wind or rain. Taking bath in cold water is also avoided. He should not drink iced water.
	HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE During the contraction of the pressure exerted on the walls of the arteries is called systolic pressure, and during dilatation of the heart, the pressure exerted is called diastolic pressure. Blood pressure varies from person to person depending upon age, sex, physical and mental work. Blood pressure increases during fear, anger and excitement. Blood pressure goes up because of the vitiation of vayu.
	Treatment Method Lasuna or garlic is an excellent drug. Garlic produces a heating effect on the body when taken raw. Garlic made into paste and mixed with buttermilk is very effective in the treatment of the condition. Sarpagandha is commonly used in the treatment of high blood pressure by Ayurvedic physicians. The drug is also used very widely in the allopathic system of medicine. In ayurveda the root of the root of this drug is used in raw state. The powder of the drug is given to the adult patient half teaspoonful 3 times a day. The patient suffering from chronic hypertension, dhara therapy is most effective. Meditated oil boiled with bala and milk is used in this therapy. The oil prepared by boiling bala with milk one hundred times is known as Shatavartita kshirabala taila. Five drops of this oil should be given to the patient internally with a cup of milk every day . This is effective in reducing high blood pressure.
	Diet The patient should not be given hot and spicy food and should avoid salt as far as possible. Hydrogenated oil should be strictly avoided. Vegetables like bitter gourd, drumsticks, patola and bimbi are most useful. He can take all types of dry fruits. Orange, apple, banana and guava are very useful. Fruits and boiled vegetables are better than cereals and pulses for these patients.
	Other regimens The patient should not be permitted to remain awake for a long time at night. Mental strain at any form should be avoided. He can undertake physical exercise to some extent

Diseases and treatments

Ayurvedic treatment, knowledge of prakriti is very important. For e.g., a knowledge of vata prakriti is always likely to get vatika type of diseases and in him diseases of other type don't give much trouble or are easily curable. To prevent the occurrence of diseases, the individual having vata prakriti should always avoid such factors as would aggravate vata and resort to vata-alleviating food,
drinks and regime. Food ingredients which are unctuous and hot are likely to suit him most whereas to a pitta prakriti man cold things will be more suitable. Similarly while administering medicines, other things being equal, a pitta prakriti patient is to be given cooling medicine and kapha(cough) prakriti patient is to be given heating medicine having bitterness, dryness, roughness etc.

Diseases
LUMBAGO
Lumbago is a pain caused by severe and prolonged spasm of the muscles in the lower back region. It is usually caused by fibrositis. It is always accompanied by muscle tenderness and pain either in the centre or the back or on one side. The onset of this disease is often very sudden and acute. Sprain or chronic constipation precipitates this disease.It is usually occurs in old age and is found more in males than in females.
Treatment Method
Prasarani is the drug of choice of the treatment of this condition. It is used both externally and internally. The juice of this plant is boiled with gingelly oil by following a specific process and this oil, when warm is used for massage over the afflicted part, 2-3 times a day. The juice of this plant is given to drink in a dose of 120 ml. three times a day. For relieving constipation , the patient should be regularly given castor oil in a suitable dose early in the morning. The refined castor oil of BP. or. I.P quality may be given to the patient in the dose which gives him a clear motions. This should be repeated daily for about two months or till the pain is over. Prasarani should be taken for about a month.
Diet
Sour and fried things and pulses are strictly prohibited in this condition. Wheat, bjra and jawar are better than rice.
Other regimens
After taking food, the patient should be advised to walk or lie down. He should not sit for 15 minutes .Morning walk is useful. Exposure to cold, strain and weightlifting are strictly prohibited.
GOUT
This is painful metabolic disease resulting in inflammation and chalky deposits in the joints due to disturbance of the purine metabolism in the body. In ayurveda this is known as vatarakta. The characteristic features of this disease are the involvement of the big toe in the beginning which becomes acutely painful and swollen. Gradually other joints are involved and the patient experiences difficulty in walking, talking and even moving.

Treatment Method
This disease is caused by vata in the beginning Panchatikta ghrita is given to the patient in a dose of two teaspoonfuls twice daily, on the empty stomach mixed with warm milk. This should be continued for about 1 days. For external application Guduchyadi taila is to be given. the important ingredient of this medicated oil is guduchi.

Kaishora guggulu is the drug of choice for the treatment of this condition. It is given in a dose of five tablets three times a day. This should be followed by 60ml of decoction of manjistha . Bowels of the patient should be kept clear, and if required the powder of haritaki should be given to the in a dose of two teaspoonfuls at bedtime with warm water. The root bark of ashvattha tree is useful in this condition. In a decoction form it is given in a dose of 60ml. daily.
Diet
Freshly harvested rice and wheat should not be given to the patient. Old rice, wheat, moong dal, meat soup, garlic, onion, bitter gourd, papaya and green banana can be taken to the patient. Curd and any other sour articles of food , heavy food articles and fried things are prohibited.
Other regimens
The patient should not perform any violent exercise. He should not sit idle either. Exposure to cold wind and rain, and cold water bath are strictly contraindicated.
RHEUMATISM
Rheumatism is a disease marked by inflammation and pain in joints and muscles, usually recurrent and often caused due to exposure to cold. It is at time associated with fever. It is not treated in time it may be affect with heart. In Ayurveda it is known as amavata. This disease is caused by production and circulation of a substance called ama in the body. This ama is produced by improper digestion as well as metabolism, and it gets lodged in joins etc.

THE QUEST FOR GOOD HEALTH IS AS ANCIENT AS THE BEGINNING OF LIFE ITSELF.

Over the centuries man has used ways and means that would provide comfort and healthy life. But, with the advent of civilization came an extravagant lifestyle coupled with illness and diseases. With this began a new crusade -- A crusade against disease and to unravel the secrets of good health. Modern medicine offers cure for various illness but is silent on providing practical tips to tide over daily health problems.

It is said that if you treat a cold it gets cured in a week and if you don’t it would probably take seven days! All of us heard of this maxim and experienced it first hand, but ask granny and she can probably provide concoction and remedies to comfort you in a matter of hours.

With this in mind, in my future articles I would be providing you a series of natural Ayurvedic Home Remedies to live a healthier and happier life at the comfort of your home.

ayurveda

Ayurveda is considered to be the most ancient medicinal form. It mainly developed during Vedic times; the origin can be traced back to more than 5000 years. Etymologically it is composed of two words Ayur and Veda. Ayur means life and Veda means science or knowledge. Hence, literally Ayurveda means Science of Life. Ayurveda is not only a medicinal system it is a way of life, a philosophy. Life according to Ayurveda is a combination of senses, mind, body and soul. It deals not only with the physical aspect but also spiritual health too. The laws of the nature govern it. The ayurvedic treatment not only cures a particular disease but also goes deep into the root cause. The concept of ayurveda is to promote health rather than just treat disease. All the remedies and suggestions are solely based on nature. It cures a particular disease not just from the physical aspect but it also takes the mental, emotional and spiritual well being into account. According to ayurveda the structural aspect of every individual is made up of five elements, namely: earth, water, fire, air and space. The functional aspect of the body is governed by three biological humors. Traditional techniques and processes are used to prepare the medicines at home, while certain amount of mechanization is inevitably used for large-scale production. The beauty of the therapeutics is that they contain the active principles in their natural forms and their administration in prescribed dozes does not cause any side effects to the patients. India is known worldwide for its ayurveda treatment. There are various centers across the country, which gives an authentic ayurveda treatment. Kerala is the most famous destination for ayurvedic treatment in India. It attracts tourists not only from other parts of India but also from different countries. The treatment mainly comprises of powders, tablets, decoctions, medicated oils etc. prepared from natural herbs, plants and minerals. Panch Karma therapy is also used as a treatment in many diseases. Panchkarma is a purifying therapy to enhance the metabolic process through food and herbal medicines. Panch Karma means five types of actions or techniques or treatment. As the wastes are eliminated from the body the person becomes healthy. Ayur veda gives a complete look into the lifestyle of a person. Like starting from his personality to his daily food habits. Ayurveda helps us in understanding each individual at a very subtle personal level and giving a detailed description about diet, daily routine, life-style, actions and activities to be followed. It's a science that teaches how to live life in a true and natural balance. Ayurveda aims at having a healthy and happy society free from diseases. Two most important aims of Ayurveda are: to maintain the health of healthy people and to cure the diseases of sick people. Ayurveda is the eternal Vedic science of life, the traditional natural healing system of India. The concept of Ayurveda is not just medical treatment or diagnosis of a diseased condition but much more than that. Ayurveda is a set of practical, simple guidelines, for long life and good health. Using them you can bring your body and mind to perfect balance. Ayurveda has a theoretical basis but is overwhelmingly practical in nature. It includes the total concept of life both man and environment. Ayurvedic science is referred to as 'science of life' as the word Ayurveda is composed of two words Ayu and Veda where Ayu means life and Veda means science. Thus Ayurveda means 'science of life'. It teaches us how an individual can stay in harmony with nature, and enhance their health. The content of Ayueveda has developed over thousands of years of human evolution. Today, Ayurveda is at the forefront of mind-body medicines. Ayurveda has spread far beyond its traditional base and is gaining attention throughout the world. Ayurveda with its understanding of life and consciousness becomes the medicine of the future.