Alternate Medicine: AYURVEDA

Ayurveda is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India. The Susruta Sanhita and the Charaka Sanhita were influential works on traditional medicine during this era. Over the following centuries, ayurvedic practitioners developed a number of medicinal preparations and surgical procedures for the treatment of various ailments. Western medicine has ayurveda classified as a system of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) that is used to complement, rather than replace, the treatment regimen and relationship that exists between a patient and their existing physician.

Ayurveda is grounded in the physics of the "five elements" i.e. Prithvi (earth), Jala (water), Agni (fire), Vaayu (air) and Akasha (ether). All of which compose the Universe, including the human body. Chyle or plasma (called rasa dhatu), blood (rakta dhatu), flesh (mamsa dhatu), fat (medha dhatu), bone (asthi dhatu), marrow (majja dhatu), and semen or female reproductive tissue (shukra dhatu) are held to be the seven primary constituent elements i.e saptadhatu of the body. Ayurveda deals elaborately with measures of healthful living during the entire span of life and its various phases. Ayurveda stresses a balance of three elemental energies which are vata (air & space – "wind"), pittha (fire & water – "bile") and kapha (water & earth – "phlegm"). According to Ayurveda, these three regulatory principles - Doshas are important for health, because when they are in a more balanced state, the body will function to its fullest, and when imbalanced, the body will be affected negatively in certain ways. Ayurveda holds that each human possesses a unique combination of doshas. In ayurveda, the human body perceives attributes of experiences as 20 Guna meaning qualities. Surgery and surgical instruments are employed. It is believed that building a healthy metabolic system, attaining good digestion and proper excretion leads to vitality. Ayurveda also focuses on exercise, yoga, meditation, and massage. Thus, body, mind, and spirit/consciousness need to be addressed both individually and in unison for health to ensue.

Eight disciplines of ayurveda treatment, called ashtangas are given below:

1.      Internal medicine (Kaaya-chikitsa)

2.      Paediatrics (Kaumarabhrtyam)

3.      Surgery (Shalya-chikitsa)

4.      Eye and ENT (Shalakya tantra)

5.      Demonic possession (Bhuta vidya): Bhuta vidya has been called psychiatry.

6.      Toxicology (Agadatantram)

7.      Prevention diseases and improving immunity and rejuvenation (rasayana)

8.      Aphrodisiacs and improving health of progeny (Vajikaranam)

In Hindu mythology, the origin of Ayurvedic medicine is attributed to the physician of the gods, Dhanvantari.

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Home Remedies on Acidity

• If you are suffering from acidity, try to suck on a piece of clove. It will bring immediate relief.
• For people who are prone to acidity, intake of milk or other dairy products will prove to be helpful.
• Regular consumption of fresh mint juice can also help you get rid of acidity.
• Add two teaspoons apple cider vinegar and two teaspoons honey to a glass of water. Drink this concoction after meals, as it reduces the chances of acidity.
• Boil cumin seeds in a glass of water. Let it cool down and supplement your meals with it.
• Banana, cucumber and watermelon have been found to be helpful in treating acidity naturally.
• If you are have acidity problem, avoid taking tea, coffee and other aerated drinks. Instead, go for herbal tea, containing spearmint (pudina) and liquorice (mulethi).
• The simplest of all remedies is to have a glass of warm water every day, early in the morning. Water is believed to neutralize acidity.
• Drink coconut water 3 to 4 times in a day. It will help bring relief from acidity.
• If you are looking for an immediate relief, have a bowl of yoghurt. It is one of the most effective home remedies for acidity.
• If you constantly suffer from acidity, suck on 10 grams jaggery everyday, after meals. It will help you avoid acid formation.
• Have a glass of cabbage juice every day, in order to avoid acid formation and the resultant acidity.
• If you want instant relief from acidity, take a glass of water with a teaspoon of soda in it. 
• Have your last meal at least two to three hours before you hit the sack. 
• Keeping long intervals between meals is another cause for acidity. Have small but regular meals. 
•  Try to avoid pickles, spicy chutneys, vinegar, etc. 
•  Boil some mint leaves in water and have a glass of this after meals. 
•  Excessive smoking and drinking will increase acidity, so cut down. 
•  Try chewing gum. The saliva generated helps move food through the esophagus, easing symptoms of heartburn. 
•  Ginger aids in digestion. Either buy powdered ginger in capsule forms or add the herb to your recipes. 
•  A simple preparation of lemon water with sugar can be sipped on an hour before lunch to reduce uneasiness. 
•  Have vegetables like drumsticks, beans, pumpkin, cabbage, carrot and spring onions.

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