Understanding Ayurveda

According to Ayurveda, all diseases can be broadly classified into two categories: diseases caused by undernutrition and those caused by overconsumption. Diseases caused by undernutrition are called Apatharmana Vyadi, and diseases caused by overconsumption are called Santharpana Vyadi.

As a civilization, we have reached a point where the diseases through malnourishment are decreasing, but the diseases due to overconsumption are on a rise. Obesity, Diabetes, metabolic disorders, PCOS and stress are all caused by overconsumption and a sedentary lifestyle. It is this situation that is bringing back healing systems like Ayurveda at the forefront of healthcare today.

Modern medicine has mastered the art of treating diseases stemming from malnourishment very effectively, but most deaths happening today are only a result of overconsumption. We have increased levels of stress, emotional turmoil and mental health issues. To address this, we need a more holistic health system like Ayurveda today more than ever.

Ayurveda teaches the importance of holistic health. It teaches the importance of healthy food, lifestyle, rituals, emotional hygiene, seasonal cleansing and boosting your overall immunity. An Ayurvedic lifestyle focuses on raising your innate immunity and vitality. Basically, in a world where we are suffering from overconsumption, Ayurveda advocates minimalism and helps us get the best of both worlds.

Our body communicates to us through symptoms such as pain, headaches, spasm, fever, skin rashes, fatigue, arrhythmia, low appetite, allergies, sleeplessness, low appetite, diarrhoea and vomiting. If you analyse these symptoms, they represent the actions of our body by eliminating things it does not want. Likewise, when there is a block or decreased functioning in any part of the waste removal system in our body, metabolic waste will accumulate. This accumulated metabolic waste, referred to as “Aama” in Ayurveda, becomes toxic and is the root cause of all known diseases. Aama in turn attracts and makes the body more vulnerable to all kinds of diseases.

Aama represents “Aa” which means “not” and “ma” means “me”

Aama is a poisonous substance that our body does not accept and wants to eliminate. If a disease does not originate from an accident or trauma, Ayurveda says that Aama is the source. The main quality of Aama is that it is sticky in nature. Imagine a combination of water and sugar, it creates a substance like glue. Aama is similar to glue. Some historians, who studied agricultural evolution state that in 10,000 BC the consumption of sugar was around 20 teaspoons per year. Today the consumption can reach up to 20 teaspoons a day. We have more Aama in our system compared to any other point in time in the history of humanity. This Aama has to be constantly eliminated effectively to maintain health and efficiency of body functioning.