Dr. Ankita Dahiya
Ayurveda is the most ancient Indian System of Medicine. Lord Dhanvantri is considered the God of Ayurveda. The professionals related to Ayurveda continued to celebrate Dhanvantari Jayanti as a tribute to the Lord of Ayurveda since a long time. Dhanwantari Jayanti comes on the festival of Dhanteras just two days prior to the festival of lights Diwali. In 2016 Indian Government announced Dhanwantari Jayanti to be celebrated as National Ayurveda Day across country. This year Dhanwantari Jayanti is on 25th October. 25th October 2019 is to be celebrated as 4th National Ayurveda Day. This year the theme of National Ayurveda Day is ‘Ayurveda for Longevity’. All the institutes and individuals related to Ayurveda in entire country will be organizing various seminars, informative lectures, medical camps focusing on this theme. ‘Jindagi Rahe Khush’ this slogan of AYUSH ministry itself depicts the importance of Ayurveda in order to live a healthy life. The word ‘Ayurveda’ is the combination of two words – Ayu & Veda. ‘Ayu’ denotes life or longevity and ‘Veda’ means the sources of knowledge. So, Ayurveda is the source of knowledge related to life. The aim of Ayurveda is ‘Swasthasya Swasthy Rakshanam, Aturasya Vikara Prashamnam’ which actually is a Sanskrit quote from Ayurvedic treatise which means that Ayurveda aims on maintaining the health of healthy and curing the diseased. This very aim tells the greatness of Ayuveda.
Ayurveda for Longevity: Since time immemorial Mankind is striving for a long and healthy life. Although there is increase in average human life expectancy with development of science and medicine throughout the world. But there comes various health challenges with aging. Who wants a long but ailing life? Everybody wants a long and healthy life. Ayurvedic approach towards Aging is very holistic. It impresses upon improving the quality of life first and then on the quantity of life. Adding years to life is not sufficient. One must lead a long, healthy, content and soulful life. All the principles of Ayurveda are aimed towards harmonious equilibrium among body, mind and senses. Ayurveda has explained daily and seasonal regimens in a very scientific manner. One can avoid various health related problems by following these regimens. Various Ayurvedic herbs and herbal formulations known as Rasayans (Rejuvenating life) like Amla, Triphala, Giloy, Ashwagandha, Pippali, Chyavanprash, Brahm Rasayana etc. are very useful for promoting long and healthy life.
Preventive Health Care & Ayurveda: ‘Prevention is better than Cure’, is a famous proverb which is completely true. One must protect health by all means. Ayurveda has suggested numerous measures to prevent diseases and to protect health. It is the first medical science which laid emphasis on the preventive aspect. Dincharya (daily regimen) and Ritucharya (seasonal regimen) are one of the preventive guidelines mentioned in Ayurveda. These daily regimen procedures have beneficial physiological effects on proper functioning of the body thereby maintaining a state of equilibrium. For e.g. Ayurvea has advised Abhyanga (massage), Vyayam (exercises), Udvartana (medicinal packs) in daily regimen. These procedures improve muscular strength, flexibility, balance body humors and improve physical activity. Similarly Ayurveda has proposed seasonal regimen. Six Ritus (seasons) have been described by Ayurveda. Diets and actions to be followed in every season have been proposed in Ayurveda. For e.g. Ayurveda has advised to increase the intake of oil and oily eatables in rainy season (for healthy persons not having any chronic disease) because at that time Vata dosha is aggravated and oil will suppress the vitiated vata.
Life Style Interventions by Ayurveda: Ayurveda perceives that positive health depends on a healthy lifestyle of an individual. According to W.H.O.-sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy dietary habits and exposure to pollution are the triggering factors for most of the lifestyle disorders. The incidence of lifestyle diseases like hypertension, diabetes mellitus and overweight/obesity associated with cardiovascular diseases is high on the rise with rapid economic development and increasing westernization of lifestyle in the past few decades. As Ayurveda is recognized as a complete life science and describes ways to prevent and manage lifestyle disorders, the world is being attracted towards its potential. In the management of lifestyle diseases, Ayurveda offers various regimens including Dinacharya and Ritucharya, Panchakarma (five detoxification and bio-purification therapies), Rasayana (rejuvenation) therapy and intake of Pathya & avoiding Apathya (Wholesome and unwholesome diet and actions). The inclusive utilization of all these treatment modalities has a great positive effect on lifestyle disorders.
Yoga is an integral part of Ayurveda. It is even included in the curriculum of Ayurveda. Yoga if practiced properly in routine can be life changing. Yoga helps to ease the physical and mental stress.
Herbs of Ayurveda: More than 5,000 herbs are explained with their uses in Ayurveda. Some of these are especially versatile and well-matched for resolving common problems we encounter today, and have become popular remedies and preventive supplements for a variety of conditions. Herbs like Ashwagandha, Arjuna, Haridra, Shallaki, Haritaki, Bibhitaki, Amlaki, Shatavari, Tulsi, Neem, Medha shringi are very useful for curing as well as preventing various diseases.
Social Health & Ayurveda: Ayurveda emphasizes on the rules of conduct and its effects on social and behavioral aspects of life. It deals with preventive, curative and promotive aspects. The personality of an individual can be enhanced by his personal and social conduct. A self-review could help to judge one’s conduct. Ayurveda has discussed conduct under ‘Sadvritta’ (Code of good conduct). Ayurveda has detailed the physical urges (such as hunger, thirst, sneezing, defecation, urination etc.) that should not be controlled and emotional urges (such as anger, greed, jealousy etc.) that should be controlled. All these components influence the mental and social health of an individual and society too. Following these advices will definitely improve the social health of our society.
On a conclusive note, Ayurveda is the way of living healthy life. Its holistic approach is unmatched. A normal human being can live a healthy life by following Ayurveda and a diseased human can be benefitted with various Ayurvedic treatment modalities. On this National Ayurveda Day, we as a society must take a pledge to promote and incorporate Ayurvedic principles in our daily routine. A small commitment can lead us towards a long, healthy, contented and more meaningful life.
(The author is Assistant Professor, Govt. Ayurvedic Medical College, Jammu. )
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