Ayurveda Fundamentals

Ayurveda's core philosophy revolves around achieving balance and harmony within the body, mind, and spirit.

Concept of panchamahabhutas or the five elements

Ayurveda believes that everything in the universe, including our bodies, is made up of five elements: Earth (Prithvi), Water (Apas), Fire (Tejas), Air (Vayu), and Ether (Akasha). Each of these elements contributes unique qualities, and together, they form the building blocks of all matter.

Concept of the three doshas (tridosha theory)

The combination of the five elements gives rise to three primary doshas, or energies, that govern all bodily and mental functions:

• Vata (Air + Ether) controls movement, breathing, and the nervous system.

• Pitta (Fire + Water) governs metabolism, digestion, and energy transformation.

• Kapha (Earth + Water) is responsible for stability, growth, and fluid balance.

Each person has a unique constitution, or Prakriti, which is their natural balance of these doshas. Health, in Ayurveda, means maintaining the balance of these doshas.

CONCEPT OF AGNI (DIGESTIVE FIRE)

Agni is considered the fire of digestion and metabolism. A healthy agni is essential for proper digestion, absorption, and assimilation of food. When agni is balanced, it promotes vitality, immunity, and mental clarity. Weak or imbalanced agni leads to toxins (ama) in the body, which is believed to be the root cause of many diseases.

CONCEPT OF DHATUS (BODY TISSUES) :

The body consists of seven essential tissues, or dhatus, which include blood, muscles, fat, bones, bone marrow, and reproductive fluids. Each dhatu nourishes and supports the next, ensuring the body functions smoothly. Proper nutrition and digestion support the health of these dhatus.

CONCEPT OF MALAS (WASTE PRODUCTS)

Mala refers to the body’s waste products. It represents the by-products of digestion and metabolism, which are essential for bodily function when in balance. Mala includes three primary wastes:

1. Purisha (stools)

2. Mutra (Urine)

3. Sweda (Swear)

Mala plays a vital role in maintaining health, as its proper elimination is essential for balance and wellness. When Mala is in equilibrium, the body can efficiently eliminate waste without losing essential nutrients. Disturbances in mala elimination can lead to toxins (ama) buildup, causing various health issues.

CONCEPT OF OJA (VITAL ESSENCE)

Ojas is the essence of vitality, immunity, and strength. It is the result of well-nourished dhatus and balanced agni. High ojas contributes to resilience, glowing health, and a positive outlook, while low ojas makes one more susceptible to illness and stress.

CONCEPT OF PRANA, TEJAS AND OJAS

These are the subtle energies associated with life force and vitality:

• Prana: The energy of life force, linked with breath and the nervous system.
• Tejas: The energy of transformation, linked to the fire element and intellect.
• Ojas: The energy of stability and immunity, derived from healthy dhatus.

CONCEPT OF SATTVA, RAJAH, TAMAS

Ayurveda classifies the mind into three qualities, or gunas:

• Sattva: Purity, clarity, and balance.
• Rajas: Activity, passion, and movement.
• Tamas: Inertia, darkness, and confusion.

The goal in Ayurveda is to cultivate sattva for a peaceful, balanced mind, while balancing rajas and reducing tamas.

CONCEPTS OF DRAVYA, GUNA ETC. FROM TREATMENT OF DISEASES POINT OF VIEW

Ayurveda’s herbal treatment, these concepts explain how herbs affect the body:

• Drava (Substance): The physical substance or herb used for treatment.
• Guna (Quality): The inherent qualities or attributes of the herb, like heaviness, lightness, dryness, etc., which influence its therapeutic effect.
• Veerya (Potency): The herb’s strength or energy, typically classified as heating (ushna) or cooling (shita), affecting how it impacts the body’s balance.
• Karma (Action): The herb’s specific therapeutic actions, like being anti-inflammatory, digestive, or calming.
• Prabhav (Unique Effect): A herb’s special or unique effect that cannot be explained solely by its other properties, making it particularly potent for certain conditions.

Together, these define how each herb heals and restores balance.