Ayurveda Goals & Benefits

The objectives with which Ayurvedic system of medicine started are two-fold:

1. To maintain the health of a healthy person.
2. To cure the disease of the sick

Moreover Ayurvedic treatment goals include eliminating impurities, reducing symptoms, increasing resistance to disease, and reducing worry and increasing harmony in the patient's life. The practitioner uses a variety of methods to achieve these goals:

 • Eliminating impurities- A process called panchakarma (purification and detox therapy) is intended to cleanse the body by eliminating toxins. Toxins are described as an undigested food that sticks to tissues, interferes with normal functioning of the body, and leads to disease. Panchakarma detox therapy focuses on eliminating toxins through the digestive tract and the respiratory system. Enemas, massage, medical oils administered in a nasal spray, and other methods may be used.

• Reducing symptoms- The practitioner may suggest various options, including physical exercises, stretching, breathing exercises, meditation conscious mental process using certain techniques—such as focusing attention or maintaining a specific posture—to suspend the stream of thoughts and relax the body and mind; massage, lying in the sun, and changing the diet. The patient may take certain herbs—often with honey, to make them easier to digest. Sometimes diets are restricted to certain foods.

• Increasing resistance to disease- The practitioner may combine several herbs, proteins, minerals, and vitamins in tonics to improve digestion and increase appetite and immunity. These tonics are based on formulas from ancient texts.

• Reducing worry and increasing harmony- Ayurvedic medicine emphasizes mental nurturing and spiritual healing. Practitioners may recommend avoiding situations that cause worry and using techniques that promote release of negative emotions.