The Science of Life - Ayurveda Meaning - Significance of Ayurveda

Ayurveda - The Life Science

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.

Ayurveda literally means knowledge of life. Ayurvedic medicines are based on the principle that every individual has a unique constitution that related to his vital energies translated into Ayurvedic nosology as dosha or humors. Ayurveda mainly composed of eight clinical specialties. They are as follows:

General medicine ( Kaaya cikitsaa)

Pediatrics (Baala cikitsaa),

Psychiatry (Graha Chikitsa),

Treatment of head and neck (S`aalakya tantra),

Surgery (S`alya tantra),

Toxicology (Agada tantra),

Rejuvenation therapy (Rasayana tantra) and

Reproductive medicine (Vajeekarana cikitsaa).

The main aims of Ayurveda are to

To prevent diseases

To treat and cure diseases

And both these are aimed towards the promotion of health on three levels:

Mentally

Physically

Spiritually

As we refer to Ayurveda as a holistic system of medicine and health native to ancient India. Ayurveda has not restricted itself as the path, which treats diseases but being the science of life has covered all the aspects necessary to maintain health and to restore it when inflicted with a disease. There are certain rules and regulations of Ayurveda, which are nothing but guidelines, which are to be followed to remain fit, refrain from diseases and lead a healthy life.