What is Ayurveda?

Veda refers to total knowledge of all possibilities, all probabilities and all processes. Ayus refers to the lifespan of something from beginning to end.

Ayurveda, therefore, is the complete knowledge of the lifespan of something. Ayurveda examines the basic properties which govern all of life forms and applies them to the human physiology.

Ayurveda uses the understanding of these principles to create perfect health in the whole individual: the physical body, the emotions, the mind and intellect.

In the current paradigm of medicine, disease is the result of random external factors which are seen as beyond our control. Although there are powerful diagnostic techniques and complex chemical pharmacuticals available, there is little to no ability to understand the root cause of the disease, or the relationship between the disease and the patient. Diseases are heavily managed, but rarely cured; they become a physical part of each person’s identity.

In our current paradigm, our body, our mind, our emotions, and their relation to our health remains a mystery.

In Ayurveda, all disease begins with a fundamental imbalance which, if detected early, can be easily corrected. By the time the first physical symptoms of illness occur, the disease is considered well advanced. Ayurveda specializes in detecting early imbalances and correcting them before they manifest as symptoms of disease.

For diseases already beyond the level of fundamental imbalance, Ayurveda works to treat the symptoms as well as to restore the fundamental imbalance at the root of the illness. Because of this approach, Ayurveda can often successfully treat conditions which are incurable in the current approach to health and medicine.

आयुर्वेदो अमृतानम् 

ayurvedo amritam

"Ayurveda is for those seeking immortality"

-Charaka Samhita, Sutrasthana 25.40