Early Origins

Ayurveda originated over 8000 years ago from the immense wisdom of spiritually enlightened Rishis (Prophets) in the heart of the Himalayas. Their knowledge was transmitted orally from teacher to disciple, the gurukul system, and eventually put down in Sanskrit Poetry or Verses known as the Vedas.

These writings, which date back to 1500 B.C., refined the prevailing religious, philosophical and medical knowledge, and formed the basis of Indian Culture. The most important of these writings are the Rig Veda and the Atharva Veda.

The first Ayurvedic Medical School was founded by Acharya Punarvasu in about 800B.C. The medical knowledge from this school influenced Charak, a scholar who lived and taught around 700B.C. His text the Charak Samahita, describes over 1500 plants, identifying over 350 as medicinally valuable.

Experienced and qualified ayurvedic practitioners still universally consult Charak Samahita.

The Charak Samahita was followed by Sushrut Samahita, and is still consulted today. Sushrut Samahita forms the basis of modern Surgery.

The influence of Ayurveda

Many systems of medicine such as Tibetan, Chinese, Unani, etc. have their roots in Ayurveda. Buddha, born 550 BC in Gaya was an Indian Prince who created and spread Buddhism, was a follower of Ayurveda. He introduced Buddhism and Ayurveda into Tibet where it spread to the Far East.

Trade routes, campaigns and wars were the links of ancient Civilizations. Arab traders spread the knowledge of Indian Plants and Ayurvedic Medicine which Arab physicians included in their Unani Medicine. This Knowledge was then passed on to the Greeks and Romans, whose practices form the basis of European Medicine.

The Five Elements

Ayurvedic system is based on the interaction of the body, mind and spirit. In Ayurveda the origin of all aspects of existence is consciousness. Matter and Energy are one.

Matter is manifested in five elements. Ether (Space), Air (Vayu), Fire (Agni) Water and Earth.

Ether :
Ether is present in the cavities of the mouth, lungs, digestive tract.

Air :
Air is present in the movement of muscles beating of the heart, expansion and contraction of the lungs and working of the digestive tract.

Fire :
Fire is present in metabolism, body temperature sight and intellect.

Water :
Water is present in the digestive juices, saliva, and blood.

Earth :
Earth is present in the bones, nails, muscles, tendons, and hair.

In Ayurveda, ether air, fire, water, earth corresponds to the five senses, hearing. Touch, vision, tastes and smells respectively.

The Doshas & Health

The combination of the five elements gives three basic forces (tridoshas) which exist in everything in the universe. These tridoshas influence all mental and physical processes. From ether and air comes Vata. From fire and water comes Pitta. From earth and water comes Kapha.

According to Ayurveda, everybody is born with a typical balance of the Doshas. The balance of the Doshas in our parents determines the proportions at the time of our conception. The body type, temperament and illnesses we are prone to are largely governed by the predominant dosha. This way we get our basic constitution, called Prakriti. This remains unaltered throughout our life.

Vata :
This is mainly concerned with the nervous system and all bodily movement. Predominance of this dosha in an individual makes him a nervous person with fluctuating moods, quick but short memory and of a very creative mind.

Pitta :
This is mainly concerned with body's balance of potential and kinetic energies and involves digestion, be it food or thoughts. Predominance of this dosha in and individual makes him an easily irritable person who is goal oriented and has a good memory.

Kapha :
This is mainly concerned with providing the physical attribute to Vata and Pitta. Predominance of this dosha in a person makes him a large person with good muscular development.

Attributes of Remedies

Once a dosha imbalance has been diagnosed, ayurvedic dietary supplement along with advice on the lifestyle one should lead with modification in dietary regimes and behavior.

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Ayurvedic Dietary Supplements

The importance of Ayurvedic Dietary Supplements is proved by their timelessness, since they have existed without change for thousands of years. This despite of the hurdles and obstacles that have come in their way.

The Mughal invasion of India brought a ban on Ayurveda and a boost to Unani Medicine. In the 19th century the British invaded India and labeled Ayurveda as native superstition. Ayurvedic Schools were closed. Then again at the turn of the 20th century the British started to re-evaluate Ayurveda and by the time India became independent in 1947, Ayurveda was well on its way. Today it is slowly gaining acceptance all over the world.

Now Junnarkar's Ayurvedic Health Club brings Ayurveda, the science from India, to you.

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