Body, mind and soul are three entities of a human being. Each has its own importance, and maintenance of all three entities is significant. Any disturbance in these entities is a cause for disease. The disease in which Body and mind is included is known as Psychosomatic disease.
Psyche = Mind and Soma = Body
Some diseases which are initially physical, but later become worse due to mental conditions such as stress or anxiety; are psychosomatic diseases like eczema, stomach ulcers, hypertension, heart disease, etc.
Any ayurvedic treatment emphasizes on consideration of both mind and body. In somatic disorders, physiological aspects can’t be neglected; nor in physiological disorders, somatic aspects can’t be neglected. Manasika Bhava (psychic factors) play a crucial role in
etiopathogenesis and symptomatology of both psychic and psychosomatic disease. A limit in psychic factors like Kama (luster), Krodha (anger), Shoka (grief), Bhaya (fear), etc. is termed as Manasika Bhava; whereas if any of the factors is above limit it is termed as Manasika Vikara. In Ayurveda, both mind and body are interdependent on each other. Thus, the mode of treatment of any disease in Ayurveda is psychosomatic in nature.
The treatment of psychosomatic disorder is as old as Ayurveda. In Ayurveda, Manas (psyche) and Sharira (soma) are different entities, but not in a sense of complete separation as humans are a complex combination of mind, body and soul. Manas and Sharira are defined in terms of Doshas. The imbalance is caused either by imbalance in Sharirika Dosha or Mansika Dosha. For instance, if the Vatika Dosha increases — a person becomes insomniac; Pitta vridhi causes Murcha and Kapha Dosha elevation may cause sleep.
Pitta Dosha regulates mental functionalities and emotional stress. The emotions of anger, fear, etc, have their own effect in curing ulcers. Pitta has varying emotions like Krodha, Bhaya, and Soka, leading to anger in blood. Kama, Shoka, and Bhaya are provoked by Vayu and Pitta is provoked by anger. The fever is the cause of emotions like fear, anger, grief, etc. Some of the
psychosomatic disorders are mentioned below:
1.Mental symptoms dominant disorders:
Anidra (insomnia), Murcha (fainting), Apasmara (epilepsy), etc.
2.Somatic disease due to psyche:
Shokaja, Kamaja, Shokaja Atisara, etc.
3.Respiratory disorders:
Bronchial asthma.
4.Gastrointestinal disorders:
Peptic ulcers, irritation in bowel (IBS), constipation, diarrhea, etc.
5.Skin disorders:
Anutjata, Psoriasis, etc.
6.Cardiovascular disorders:
Hypertension, coronary disease, cerebrovascular disease, migraines, etc.
Management of Psychosomatic disorders in Ayurveda:
The main emphasis of Psychosomatic medicine is the unity of both mind and body. Some
of the treatments can be noted as follows:
1.The physical therapies include proper medicines, proper diet and proper regimen; while the pathogenic factors therapies include spiritual knowledge, memory, meditation and patience.
2.Diseases can be avoided by avoiding intellectual errors, good control over sensory organs and memory, knowledge of place, time and one’s consciousness.
3.In case of disbalance in bodily Doshas, three types of therapies are applied — internal cleansing, external cleansing and surgical therapy.
Internal cleansing is applied when the disease is caused due to improper diet.
External cleansing includes massage, unction, affusion, fomentation and kneading.
Surgical therapy includes puncturing, rupturing, scraping, rubbing with a rough surface, probing,
etc.
The treatment is carried out in three phases:
1.In the first phase, the mind is completely relaxed by performing yoga, meditation, massage,
etc.
2.In the second phase, according to body type, treatment is given based on which Dosha is to
be treated. (Detoxification of body)
3.In the third phase, slow movement to a regular lifestyle is preferred.
Importance of treatment of Psychosomatic disease in Ayurveda:
1.It cleanses the accumulated toxins by various Shuddhi kriyas.
2.It gives positive antioxidant enhancement, thus rejuvenates the store-house of nutrients and
enhances life with energy and work.
3.Calms the body and maintains physical and mental balance.
4.Integrates body movements creating Psychosomatic harmony.
5.Relaxes body – emotions – mind complex and retains the proper functioning of body.
6.Clears the mental thoughts and emotions.
7.Increases memory.
Thus, we can summarize that the Ayurvedic treatment of a disease is not different from Psychosomatic treatment. It curates both – mind and body and regards both as different entities but interdependent ones. The treatments in Ayurveda first focus on the stability of the entire human being which includes relaxation of mind and soul, and detoxification of the body.
