what is Indian medicine ?

Ayurveda is an ancient comprehensive medical system (±700 BC) originating from India. Ayurveda also occurs in India's neighbour countries. Ayus means life and veda means science. Ayurveda is focussed on the subtle energy present in everything, also in our actions, lifestyle, nutrition, and circumstances of living, emotions and thoughts. Ayurveda believes that every person's constitution is based on three vital and fundamental energies called the three doshas. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. The five elements fire, water, earth, air and ether play a major role in the system of the three doshas. We are in a state of good health when the three doshas in the body are well balanced. If they are not well balanced, we fall ill. The first balance is determined at the moment of conception.

The ayurvedic doctor first tries to establish the atient's strengths before determining the health disturbance. This is based on the belief that the doctor first must make use of the patient's strengths in order to tackle the illness. The ayurvedic doctor is trained to judge the patient and observe the symptoms. Also he examines, if necessary, the tongue, urine, faeces, facial expression, skin colour, skin structure pulse, voice, ears, eyes, nose and body temperature. He also listens to the 'body sounds' like heartbeat. Sometimes the horoscope is consulted. The ayurveda prefers a gradual recovery so that the patient can refine his own strengths. Treatment of the illness is often focused on food because of the principle that 'one is what one eats'.

In case of diseases the doctor often provokes vomiting and administers enemas to remove poisonous material from the body. Perspiration is stimulated by steam baths, hot baths, and plasters imbibed with heat provoking material like mustard. Also massages with all kinds of oils are administered. For local affections leeches are used. Ayurvedic medicinal drugs generally very good. In India there are a great number of factories that manufacture these medicines and export them all over the world. Also preparations for skin treatment are made according to ayurvedic tradition. The recipe for these products has remained the same for centuries.

The ayurvedic doctor first tries to establish the patient's strengths before determining the health disturbance. This is based on the belief that the doctor first must make use of the patient's strengths in order to tackle the illness. The ayurvedic doctor is trained to judge the patient and observe the symptoms. Also he examines, if necessary, the tongue, urine, faeces, facial expression, skin colour, skin structure, pulse, voice, ears, eyes, nose and body temperature. He also listens to the 'body sounds' like heartbeat. Sometimes the horoscope is consulted. The ayurveda prefers a gradual recovery so that the patient can refine his own strengths. Treatment of the illness is often focused on food because of the principle that 'one is what one eats'.



			Ganesha, Indian Hindu goddess, protects people, work and buildings against difficulties and problems.

	The problem is that in India and neighbouring countries many people often prefer allopathic medicines, for a quicker result. Also, people believe there is no need to change their way of life, or circumstances causing the problem. The problem is that there is too little evaluation and standardisation for ayurvedic medicines. At the moment the Indian government tries to validate the Ayurveda system in order to keep the ancient old knowledge alive. Until now this has proven to be a difficult process. Also in western countries one can be trained to be an ayurvedic doctor. These schools are usually affiliated to a university for ayurveda in India. The teachers come from India to teach here. In the Netherlands there are a few ayurvedic centers. In my practice for alternative medicine I occasionally use ayurvedic herbs.