Ayurveda is a holistic system for good health, developed in India and used worldwide, that treats common illnesses and ailments with herbal remedies. Ayurveda employs herbal healing to balance the body's energies, which is a basic principle of Ayurvedic herbal medicine, but herbs should not be used on their own to treat serious conditions.
Identification
The Ayurvedic system is a whole-body approach to health. Ayurveda incorporates diet, exercise, routine, psychotherapy, herbal medicine and a variety of other treatments to achieve and maintain complete health. According to "The Way of Ayurvedic Herbs" by Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa and Michael Tierra, the basis of Ayurvedic care is the maintenance of good health. However, when sickness does occur, the most commonly prescribed medicine in Ayurvedic practice is herbal medicine.
Energy Balance
Ayurvedic herbal medicine is based mainly on the balance of Ayurvedic energies. Individual conditions and illnesses require unique blends of their own for treatment. Many common conditions have natural Ayurvedic treatment options. Acne, allergy, hair loss and menstrual cramps are among the conditions that can be treated with Ayurvedic herbal formulas, Khalsa and Tierra say.
Types
Herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine range from common household foods to obscure plants that can be difficult to find. According to Khalsa and Tierra, types of herbal remedies used in Ayurvedic medicine include celery juice and cucumber juice for acne, turmeric for back pain and cinnamon bark for menstrual cramps. Other common herbs used for Ayurvedic healing include pomegranate, mustard and poppyseed. Some herbs have side effects and interactions with health conditions and medications, so check with your doctor before taking anything new.
Taking Herbs
In Ayurvedic herbal medicine, herbs are commonly dosed as a tea, powder or paste. Some common herbs are available in your grocery store as a vegetable or spice. You can also take herbal extracts in tincture form, which is the form recommended by Alan Keith Tillotson and Robert Abel in "The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook" as the most effective for absorption of the healing herbal components. A tincture is a mixture of carefully measured herbs soaked in purified drinking alcohol, such as vodka, for about two weeks. If you have a specific condition, an Ayurvedic herbalist can mix a tincture with a special blend of herbs to treat it.
Warning
Ayurvedic medicine is a comprehensive plan for better health. While many of its practices are safe and easy to incorporate into your daily life, Ayurveda is not a substitute for medical attention in case of an acute condition. If you have any illnesses or take any medications, talk to your doctor before taking any medicinal herbs, or before making any big changes that might affect your health.
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