8: Alternative Medical Systems: Ayurveda and Its Practices Flashcards
(35 cards)
what is the oldest healing science known
ayurveda
Prana
basic life force in body (energy)
= Similar to Qi
ayurveda places equal emphasis on
body, mind, & spirit
4 Main Ayurveda Principles
- Principle of Inner Balance
- Principle of Universal Cosmos (Five Elements)
- Principle of Body Energies (Doshas)
- Principle of Disease Causation
Principle of Inner Balance
Constitution: each person’s unique and has a different pattern of energy that makes up their constitution
○ constitution stays with the person throughout life
Maintain inner balance of physical, mental, emotional, social, & spiritual health to prevent disease/illness (diet, exercise, lifestyle)
internal &external factors may upset balance
Need to find source of imbalance to correct
Principle of Universal Cosmos
Universe consists of 5 elements made up of prana
1. earth
2. water
3. fire
4. air
5. ether (space)
-all substances in world made up of 5 elements
- All 5 elements in all body cells
- Elements combine to make 7 bodily tissues
1. plasma
2. blood
3. muscle
4. lipid
5. bone
6. nervous system
7. reproductive system
- also combine to make up different tastes
Principle of Body Energies (Dosha)
Dosha: 5 elements (ether, air, fire, water, and earth) make up the body’s constitution
3 body doshas
i. Vata (movement)
ii. Pitta (transformation)
iii. Kapha (structure)
what is the composition of dosha in people
Each individual is composed of a combination of the 3
People have different ratios, established at birth
usually 1/3 is predominant
which is known as “digestive fire”
pitta
vata
space & air
lead dosha (more than 1/2 illnesses = vata disorders)
brain, large intestine, pelvic cavity, bones, skin, ears, thighs
governs breathing, movement, heartbeat, etc.
Tends to increase with age, exhibited by the drying/wrinkling of the skin
T or F: If vata is kept in balance, pitta and kapha will stay in balance
T
Pitta
fire & water
governs digestive functions
located in small intestine, stomach, sweat glands, blood, skin, eyes
what happens when digestion is poor
ama is produced coating tongue white
kapha
earth & water
Supplies water for all body parts/systems
= Lubricates joints, moisturizes skin, maintains immunity
Located in chest, lungs, spinal fluid around cord
body types of 3 doshas
vata: light
pitta: medium build
kapha: heavy bones
common disorders for doshas
vita: neurological, muscular
pitta: inflammatory (bowels, ulcers)
kapha: respiratory
Each dosha has ____ subdoshas that have been scientifically tested
5
Principle of Disease Causation
4 main causes of disease
- Mental factors
- emotional imbalance or stress
- If individuals are stressed, it will lead to unhealthy lifestyles and worsening mental stresses
- Lifestyle habits
- lack of exercise, substance-taking habits, poor dietary behaviors, poor sleep patterns, and unsafe sexual practices
- Dosha imbalance
- imbalance of vata, pitta, kapha, or one of the combinations
- Metabolic toxins
- toxins that accumulate in the body because of the by-products of metabolism and presence of other toxins
Illness diagnosed by _____ over lab testing
observation
diagnostic methods
- family history/physical exam
- pulse diagnostic
- tongue diagnostic
- facial diagnostic
Pulse Diagnostic Technique
Snake pulse (vata): index finger
- irregular, thin, moving in waves like a serpent
Frog pulse (Pitta): middle finger
- active, excited, moves like jumping of a frog
Swan pulse (Kapha): ring finger
- floating like a swan
Ghee
- 2 spoonfuls of butter (Ghee) for cleansing treatment
- Ghee body massages daily for a week
Ayurvedic treatments are categorized into six major treatment concepts
1 being Shodhanam = cleansing
recommend pre-cleansing procedures (_______) = prepare the body for Shodhanam
purva-karma
purva-karma
2 ways to carry it out
1. Snehan
- Given internally (edible oil or butter=ghee)
- externally (massage with ghee)
- Swedan
- Dry or wet formentation or heat therapy to facilitate sweating
