Overview
Ayurveda is a science that originated in India and has been practiced for thousands of years. It’s an ancient form of medicine that focuses on the wellness of the mind, body, and spirit. Many people turn to Ayurveda when they are looking for holistic healing from chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, COPD or chronic kidney disease because it offers natural remedies without side effects. In this blog post we will discuss how Ayurveda can be used to combat these diseases while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
What are chronic illnesses?
Chronic illnesses are long-term health problems that can last for months or years. Chronic diseases and conditions can include heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and more.
Most of the time, chronic illnesses are caused by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. They affect a variety of demographics and are treated in different ways. Some conditions are not able to be completely cured, but they can be managed to lower the impact of symptoms on your life.
There are many treatment options for chronic illnesses, some treatments include medication management and therapy while others involve surgery or other medical procedures. The good news is Ayurveda medicine has several ways of combating these issues at their core!
Ayurvedic view on chronic illnesses
According to Ayurvedic philosophy, chronic conditions are thought to be caused by long-term imbalances in the body. In Ayurveda medicine, one’s health is determined by three different doshas: vata (air), pitta (fire), and kapha (water). Balancing these doshas helps prevent illness from taking hold of the body.
In general, chronic diseases are often characterized by a lack of energy and exhaustion from the patient’s side. This is called Ama in Ayurveda medicine.
Ama occurs when toxins build up throughout the body because it cannot eliminate them as quickly as they’re building up due to certain lifestyle habits like a poor diet or lack of exercise.
There are several different types of toxins that build up in the body, and these correspond with particular doshas or mind-body types as per Ayurvedic medicine. For example, Kapha dosha is characterized by excess mucus buildup throughout the body.
Kapha generally feels sluggish and heavy, which can be a result of excess mucus in the body that slows down energy flow and movement throughout various organs like the heart, lungs, and kidneys. This is why Ayurveda medicine recommends practices such as yoga to help stimulate certain organ systems with more energy while also helping clear out excess mucus from the body.
Another example is Pitta dosha, which is associated with excess heat and irritation in the body that can lead to inflammation throughout certain organs. The lungs are particularly affected by this excess heat or fire energy, so Ayurvedic practices may recommend cooling foods like cucumbers and watermelon while avoiding spicy ones.
Some ways that Ayurveda can help with chronic conditions include:
- Using foods to create balance in the body and maintain health, especially by balancing vata dosha, which is associated with all movement within the body such as breathing, heart rate, etc. Vata types need a lot of protein and fat or they could get anxious, depressed, or get memory loss.
- Using oils in the body to build tissues and lubricate joints, which is beneficial for all types of conditions but especially arthritis.
- Relaxing mind and body activities including yoga.
This holistic approach prioritizes natural remedies for restoring balance within the body, mind, and spirit. This includes herbal supplements as well as dietary changes that combat the symptoms and progression of chronic illnesses.
How Ayurveda combats chronic illnesses
In tandem with conventional medicine and treatments (dialysis helps patients with CKD function with kidney failure, for instance), Ayurveda focuses on treating the root cause of a disease, rather than suppressing symptoms.
Ayurvedic treatments have been shown to effectively treat cardiovascular diseases by including cardiac drugs in treatment plans that help lower cholesterol levels, increase HDL (or “good”) cholesterol, and lower triglycerides. Ayurveda also helps patients suffering from diabetes by focusing on dietetic changes, counseling patients to avoid alcohol consumption and maintain a healthy BMI (body mass index).
Ayurvedic medicine has been used for centuries in India, where it originated. It is now gaining traction around the world. While it may not be able to cure chronic conditions that have progressed into later stages, this practice of medicine can prevent early-stage chronic conditions from progressing. Ayurvedic practices may also be able to lower the need for medication in those who have been prescribed it. Ayurveda can help prevent chronic conditions from worsening, helping patients live a better life despite their condition.
The history of Ayurveda and chronic conditions
According to research, Ayurveda medicine has been used for over two thousand years, with its earliest mentions in the Vedas. Ayurveda medicine is based on three main principles: the three doshas, the five elements that comprise everything in existence, and a multi-step process of cleansing.
This practice is based on the idea that our bodies are composed of these six elements: ether, air, fire, water, earth, and space. These complexes make up every part of us from physical to mental states.
Ayurvedic practices can help treat chronic conditions by reducing symptoms and preventing further progression of the disease. The practice focuses on prevention rather than treatment-based care because it can lead to better long-term results.
Historically, patients with chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and COPD would only receive palliative care. Palliation involves managing the patient’s symptoms without actually curing them of their condition. Patients with these types of conditions can be prescribed Ayurvedic supplements to help manage their diet and lifestyle changes that go along with their chronic illness.
The success of Ayurvedic medicine can be seen in the numbers. Over the last four decades, there has been a significant decrease in heart disease and diabetes mortality rates. In India, it is estimated that over half of all individuals with chronic illness can be treated through Ayurvedic medicine alone.
For more information about whether Ayurveda could be right for your chronic illness, contact us at info@eliteayurveda.com to learn more!
Ayurvedic care at EliteAyurveda
As a cure to every illness, concentrate on progressing gradually and keep on encouraging yourself, even if the results are not immediate. The symptoms of diabetes will take some time to turn around, but with moderation and a shift in diet, workout, and lifestyles, your clients are able to cure diabetes and live a long and stable life.- Dr. Soumya Hullannavar
Our supportive EliteAyurveda specialists will assist you with diabetes-related health issues.
