Myths And Facts About Ayurveda

Fact: Ayurveda is just not about herbs. Ayurvedic treatment also includes milk and milk products, honey, alcohol, oils, minerals, salts, ashes etc.

Fact: Some Ayurvedic preparations also include meat or fish extracts.

Fact: Ayurveda believes that a disease results from the increase or decrease in the level of ‘Thridoshas’, i.e.- the Vatha, Pitha and Kapha. These are present throughout the body and responsible for functions like – motility, power, oxygen transport, digestion, development of body, metabolism and sustenance of life. These are one of the best way to map the human body. Several Allopathic practitioners also believe the same.

Fact: Ayurveda is in use since thousands of years. The medicinal preparations have already got perfected due to keen observation and experience during their long extensive use. All Ayurvedic preparations undergo even more extensive trials.

Fact: Medicines act slow or fast depending on cause of the disease. Fast improvement will occur if diagnosed properly and appropriate treatment is advised. But curing depends on the disease.

Fact: Self-learning and treating may be ineffective at best or dangerous at worst. Different people have different body constitution, which is termed as ‘Prakrithi’ in Ayurveda. Medicinal preparations prescribed to one may not be the same for another person in spite of same disease and symptoms. Consult a practitioner always.

Fact: Some herbs contains toxic molecules. So some other herbs are added to counteract the side effects. More serious are labelled as ‘To be taken under medical supervision’.

Fact: Many medicinal herbs have toxic in them. Medicinal preparations often include other herbs to counteract the harmful effects. Some herbs are very safe for direct use.

Fact: Ayurvedic Massage cannot cure all diseases. It is effective only in certain ailments. Ayurvedic massages require specialized practitioners.

Fact: Traditional medicinal preparations should always be prioritized. They have been proved over many live-case studies since long. But certain proprietary preparations are found effective in curing. Always consider the Manufacture before using any Proprietary one.

Fact: Ayurveda is a lifestyle. Healthy living, appropriate eating, adequate sleep, proper exercise are pillars of Ayurveda.

Fact: Ayurveda has principles and methodologies proved on scientific basis. It is not regarded as science by many as it did not develop inside any lab. But Ayurveda also has its branches like any other sciences. They are – Surgery (Shalya-chikitsa), Treatment of diseases above the belly (Salakyam), Internal medicine (Kaaya-chikitsa), Psychaitry (Bhuta vidya), Paediatrics (Kaumarabhrtyam), Toxicology (Agadatantram), Immunity (rasayanam), Aphrodisiacs (Vajikaranam); in total eight branches called the Ashtanga Ayurveda.