8: Alternative Medical Systems: Ayurveda and Its Practices Flashcards
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
Once purva-karms is completed = Shodhanam begins
5 procedures grouped under “Panchakarma treatment”
- Vanama = forced vomiting
- remove kapha toxins - Virechana = forced purging
- remove pitta toxins - Basti = oil/ghee/herbal enema/colonic (8-30 days)
- remove vata toxins - Nasya = saltwater nose cleanse (neti pot)
- cleanse kapha - Raktamokshana = bloodletting
- most do not practice due to infection risk
Ayurvedic pharmaceuticals form a branch of Ayurveda that deals with the _____ and ______of drugs
collection and selection
___% of meds tested had lead, mercury, or arsenic
21%
T or F: many Ayurvedic medicines have been scientifically tested according to Western standards
F - some but not many
concerns about toxicity, formulations, interactions, and evidence of scientific testing
scientific testing here in the United States has shown favorable results for _____ and ______
turmeric and Spanish sage
Gold
longevity, anti-aging, impotency, immunity, combats liver & heart disease, arthritis
Silver
powerful germicide but when taken in excessive amounts = toxic to human tissue
Colloidal silver can react with other drugs and cause even greater side effects = U.S. Food and Drug Administration refuses to approve the use of colloidal silver supplements for medicinal purposes
NCCIH Report on Ayurveda
According to the NCCIH, there is not enough scientific evidence to vouch for the effectiveness of Ayurvedic practices
NIAM
National Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine
combined Ayurveda and conventional medicine
largest holder of Ayurveda data and information in the United States
what is the widely accepted licensure for practicing Ayurveda in the US
TRICK QUESTION BITCH!!!
No widely accepted licensure for practicing Ayurveda in the US or Canad
