Disease Management In Ayurveda

In our previous post, we spoke about what triggers diseases and ailments in Ayurveda and how one can keep their body and mind healthy by following the right lifestyle, diet and the signals that the body gives out when it feels weak.

Like they say prevention is better than cure. Hence, managing your body and mind appropriately and at the right time can help keep diseases at bay. This is termed as disease management according to Ayurveda. Ayurveda says that there are 4 main treatments - Shodan, Shaman, Rasayana and Satvajaya.

These four methods of disease management cleanses, calms, rejuvenates the body and keeps the mind in peace and harmony. The treatments include use of herbal therapies and a healthy diet & lifestyle with ample amount of physical activities like Yoga and meditation.

Ayurveda believes that toxins or ama are produced when the Vata, Pitta and Kapha in the body is aggravated which in turn effects the “agni” and gives rise to diseases related to indigestion. This slows the metabolism and assimilation process leading to breakdown of the body.

Let’s understand the categories of treatments in detail:

• Shodana: This treatment helps us remove the toxins (ama) and other harmful wastes from our body. The treatment includes Purvakarma (initial procedures), Pradhanakarma (the main procedures) and Pashchatkarma (post-operative procedures).

The method used for Shodana is “Panchakarma” or the process of purification in 5 steps which are - Vaman or vomiting out the toxins, Virechan or rejection which eliminates the waste out of our body, Basti or medicinal enema which is often done using sesame seeds and milk, Rakta-moksha or the cleansing of blood and finally, Nasya or cleansing your nasal tract and sinuses.

• Shaman: This treatment is done by consuming spices and herbs such as ginger, cinnamon and black pepper. It helps in balancing the doshas in the body. It also includes physical activities or workouts and regular intake of vitamin D or proper exposure to the Sun.

• Rasayana: Consumption of Ayurvedic preparations and mixtures that revitalizes the muscles and tissues in the body and improves memory and thought processes.

These are some of the methods by which one can manage diseases and make sure it is prevented. Allowing it to spread can worsen the immune system and even leave the body and mind dysfunctional in extreme cases. We will talk more about the wellness of body and mind according to Ayurveda as we go ahead. Until then, follow us and make sure you are keeping your body and mind healthy and happy.