AYURVEDA

AN ALTERNATIVE AND COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE RESOURCE GUIDE

From the Alternative Medicine Foundation, Inc.

Contents:

   Introduction
    Books
   Professional Organizations
   Research and Training Centers
  Self-Help Organizations and Treatment Centers
  Web resources

INTRODUCTION

Developed in India more than 5,000 years ago, Ayurveda is thought to be the oldest medical system known. According to Hindu mythology, it is the medicine of the gods. Today, it is practiced less as a religion and more as a way of life. It is a complete and holistic science of healthy balanced living that views each person as an individual, with a unique mind-body constitution and set of life circumstances. All these factors are considered in determining whether natural healing approaches should be taken, or if changes in daily living should be made to aid in healing and to promote longevity.

Ayurveda is based on the belief that the natural state of the body is one of balance.  We become ill when this balance is disrupted, with specific conditions or symptoms indicating a specific disease or imbalance.   Ayurveda emphasizes strengthening and purifying the whole person, whereas in conventional medicine, the focus in on a set of symptoms or an isolated region of the body.

Currently in the United States, there are two adaptations of classical Ayurvedic medicine being practiced.  Maharishi Ayur-Veda was started within the past decade by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, the Hindu swami best known for popularizing Transcendental Meditation.  Most of the published studies of Ayurveda are on this type, which concentrates on consciousness and meditation as key in health and healing. The more traditional type of Ayurveda was recently popularized by Dr. Deepak Chopra, a Western-trained endocrinologist.  While advocating the use of meditation, this type places more emphasis on the other Ayurvedic mind-body modalities such as yoga, breathing and massage therapy, in an attempt to regain balance. 

Basic Principles of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is Sanskrit for the "knowledge of life," defining the trinity of life as body, mind and spiritual awareness.   This concept is often neglected in western medicine where thoughts and feelings are often separated from illnesses of the body.

It is believed that all life is based on an underlying force or vital energy called prana, which is centered around various energy centers in the body called chakras.

Patients have a personal responsibility in their own health. It is possible for patients to be healthy, if they maintain a positive perspective and believe in their good health.

The Three Doshas

Ayurveda states that every living thing in the universe is made of five elements. In humans, these elements correspond to the five senses:

    Earth or Prithvi = Smell

    Water or Apa = Taste

    Air or Vayu = Touch

    Space or Akash = Hearing

According to Ayurvedic teachings, these five elements constitute three primary life forces or doshas. The three doshas, called Vata, Pitta, and Kapha, can be found in every cell in every human, in a combination unique to each individual. Such a combination is called a tridosha. While some people may be characterized by a single dosha, most people are combinations of two or more. Whichever constitutional type dominates determines the dosha type of that person. Each dosha type is associated with characteristic tendencies which facilitates diagnosis for the physician or practitioner.

VATA TYPE
This dosha is composed of the space and air elements and tends to be slender (lightest of the three body types) with cool dry skin and dry hair. They are creative and quick to grasp new ideas, but also quick to forget. Vatas are characterized by unpredictability, enthusiasm, and variability in diet and sleep. They tend to have high energy in short bursts but tire easily and overexert.

Vatas are prone to headaches, hypertension, anxiety, dry coughs, sore throats, earaches, insomnia, irregular heart rhythms, premenstrual syndrome, abdominal gas, diarrhea, nervous stomach, constipation, muscle spasms, lower back pain, sexual dysfunctions, arthritis and nervous system problems.

PITTA TYPE
Pitta types are made of fire and water, are usually of medium build and strength, and are able to easily maintain their weight. They tend to be intense, short tempered, sharp-witted, passionate, have strong digestion, and a strong appetite. Pittas are orderly, efficient, assertive, and self-confident, but can become aggressive, demanding and pushy. They are fairly predictable in their routines as they eat three meals a day and sleep eight hours a night. Generally, their complexion is fair or reddish, often having freckles, and their hair is usually fine and straight, tending toward blond or red.

Typical health problems include heartburn, ulcers, hot sensations in the stomach or intestines, insomnia, rashes or inflammations of the skin, acne, skin cancer, anemia, and gallbladder and liver disorders.

KAPHA TYPE
Kapha is composed of earth and water with a solid, strong, heavy body type, and soft hair and skin, usually with large soft eyes and a low, soft voice. They tend to gain weight easily and need a lot of sleep and warmth. Kaphas are usually relaxed, graceful, slow-moving and affectionate. They are forgiving, compassionate, nonjudgmental, and faithful. This dosha type has the most energy of all the constitutions, but it is steady and enduring, not explosive. They procrastinate and are slower to learn but have excellent long-term memories.

Although Kaphas generally have a strong resistance to disease, they are prone to obesity, allergies, colds, congestion, sinus headaches, respiratory problems, atherosclerosis, and painful joints.

Physiological Principles

MALA:  These are the waste materials produced as a result of various metabolic activities in the body. Proper elimination of the malas is equally important for good health, as their accumulation causes many disease.

SROTAS:  These are different types of channels which are responsible for transportation of food, dhatus, malas and doshas. Blockage causes disease.

AGNI:  These are different types of enzymes responsible for digestion and transforming one material to another.

These physiological factors are inter-related and are directly or indirectly responsible for maintaining equilibrium of the tridoshas, and therefore health.

Aim of Ayurveda

The aim of Ayurveda is to simply achieve and maintain health by reaching a state of balance or equilibrium among the three doshas, which govern all bodily functions. All physical manifestations of disease result from imbalances in the doshas, and various foods and emotions either stabilize or disturb this balance.

For preventing disease, Ayurvedic methods use a regimen called panchakarma to cleanse and rejuvenate the body, mind and consciousness. Evaluation of the three doshas is primarily accomplished by nadi vigyan, which is a detailed and systematic technique of pulse diagnosis. A full medical exam also includes examination of the tongue, voice, eyes, skin, urine, stools, and general appearance.  To aid in healing, practitioners and physicians recommend lifestyle interventions in nutrition, herbs, exercise, yoga, and massage therapy.

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BOOKS

AUTHORITATIVE RESEARCH RESOURCES

Deepak Chopra, M.D. Creating Health: How to Wake Up the Body's Intelligence Houghton Mifflin Company, 1995. Introduces the basic premises of Ayurveda and provides a guide toward a sound understanding of the mind-body connection.

Deepak Chopra, M.D. Quantum Healing: Exploring the Frontiers of Mind Body Medicine Bantam Books, 1990. Compares the elements of healing the human body with quantum mechanics and shows that Ayurvedic medicine is an articulated model of the quantum-mechanical human body.

David Frawley, O.M.D. Ayurveda and the Mind: The Healing of Consciousness Lotus Light Publications, 1997 Explores the psychological aspect of Ayurveda, specifically, how to heal our minds on all levels of consciousness.

Vasant Lad, M.D. Ayurveda: The Science of Self Healing Lotus Light Publications, 1984 Discusses the principals and practical applications of Ayurveda, along with fifty concise charts and illustrations.

Vasant Lad, M.D. and David Frawley, O.M.D. The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine Lotus Light Publications, 1986 A detailed Ayurvedic explanation and classification of herbs. Included are more than 250 herbs, diagrams and charts, and a detailed glossary.

Hari Sharma and Christopher Clark Contemporary Ayurveda: Medicine and Research in Maharishi Ayur-Veda Churchill Livingstone, 1997 Presents the foundations of Maharishi Ayur-Veda's approach to physiology and anatomy, detailing daily and seasonal routines for disease prevention.

CASE STUDIES/OBSERVATIONAL DATA

Peter Anselmo and James S. Brooks, M.D. Ayurvedic Secrets to Longevity and Total Health Prentice Hall, 1996 A comprehensive step-by-step guide for becoming informed on Ayurveda and the effective use of Ayurvedic methods.

Judith Morrison and Robert Svoboda The Book of Ayurveda: A Holistic Approach to Health and Longevity Fireside, 1995 A practical guide to the fundamentals of Ayurveda. Describes a constitution-specific system for healthful living including a daily regime of exercise, diet, meditation, yoga, hygiene, and massage.

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PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

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RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTERS

American Institute of Vedic Studies
http://www.vedanet.com/
PO Box 8357
Santa Fe, NM 87504-8357
Phone: (505) 983-9385
Fax: (505) 982-5807
Founded by Dr. David Frawley, this comprehensive program covers all the main aspects of Ayurveda that is covered in two year Ayurvedic programs for foreign students in India. Designed for health care professionals and other serious students, but does not require a medical background. Visit this  website for locations of Dr. Frawley's other schools and programs throughout the world.

Ayurvedic Institute
http://www.ayurveda.com/
11311 Menaul NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87112
Phone: (505) 291-9698
Fax: (505) 2994-7572
Email: info@ayurveda.com
Directed by Dr. Vasant Lad, this program is similar in content to that taught in traditional Ayurvedic colleges in India, using a teaching style from an oral tradition, and one of apprenticeship.

California College of Ayurveda (CCA)
http://www.ayurvedacollege.com/
117A East Main St.
Grass Valley, CA 95945
Phone: (530) 274-9100
Fax: (530) 274-7350
Email: info@ayurvedacollege.com
Recognized by Ayurveda Shikshan Mandal, a government-authorized accrediting agency in India, and the American Institute of Vedic Studies, the CCA offers a rigorous two-year program leading to a certificate in Clinical Ayurvedic Specialist (C.A.S.).

Center for Natural Medicine and Prevention (CNMP)
http://www.mum.edu/cnmp/
College of Maharishi Vedic Medicine (CMVM)
http://www.mum.edu/cmvm/index.html
Maharishi University of Management (Formerly the Maharishi International University)
1000 North 4th Street
Fairfield, IA 52557
Phone: (515) 472-1110
Fax: (515) 472-1179
Email: jsalerno@mum.edu (CNMP); admissions@mum.edu
One of the NCCAM/NIH-funded research centers, the CNMP is currently focusing on cardiovascular disease and aging in African Americans. The College (CMVM) offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs specializing in Maharishi Vedic Medicine and Transcendental Meditation. One can subscribe to an online newsletter through the College's web site.

The National Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine (NIAM)
http://www.niam.com/
584 Milltown Road
Brewster, New York 10509
Phone/Fax: (914) 278-8700
Email: drgerson@erols.com
Recognized as the largest and most authentic resource of information on Ayurveda in the United States. In addition to its own clinical research, the NIAM is involved with other medical and scientific institutions in research on the effect of Ayurveda in the treatment of cancer, asthma, and women’s diseases and conditions.

New England Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine/International Institute of Ayurveda
111 Elm St.
Suites 103-1-5
Worcester, MA 01609
Phone: (508) 755-374
Fax: (508) 770-0618
Email: ayurveda@hotmail.com
Offers a one-year certification program of classroom instruction in Ayurveda and additional programs for internship and advanced training programs. Also runs Ayurvedic clinic for panchakarma and other procedures.

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SELF-HELP ORGANIZATIONS AND TREATMENT CENTERS

Ayurvedic and Naturopathic Medical Clinic
http://www.ayurvedicscience.com
2115 112th Ave. N.E.Bellevue, WA 98004-2946
Phone: (425) 453-8022
Fax: (425) 451-2670
Email: Ayurveda@ayurvedicscience.com
Offers all aspects of Ayurvedic and naturopathic medicine.  Visit this website to ask Dr. Sodhi health related questions.

The Chopra Center for Well Being
http://www.chopra.com/ccwbwelcome.htm
7630 Fay Ave.
La Jolla, CA 92037
Toll-Free: (888) 424-6772
Phone: (858) 551-7788
Fax: (858) 551-7811
Email: info@chopra.com
Created by Dr. Deepak Chopra, this center offers therapeutic Ayurvedic treatments, expert medical care, and programs designed to help you integrate healing principles into your life.

Lotus Herbs and Holistic Health Institute
http://www.lotusayurveda.com/index.htm
4245 Capitola Rd.
Suite 103
Capitola, CA 95010
Toll-Free: (800) 815-6887 (81-LOTUS)
Phone: (831) 479-1667
Fax: (831) 479-1951
Email: holistic@lotusayurveda.com
Offers Ayurvedic programs and residential panchakarma detoxification and rejuvenation therapy year round. Visit the web site for general information on Ayurveda, to determine your constitutional type, and for recommendations on diet and lifestyle.

Maharishi Medical Centers
http://www.maharishi-medical.com/
The following centers provide Maharishi Ayur-Veda comprehensive programs to enliven the body's own inner intelligence to prevent disease and promote good health.

Maharishi Ayur-Veda Medical Center
http://www.mvc-bethesda.org
Nancy Lonsdorf, M.D.
5504 Edson Lane North
Bethesda, MD 20852
Voice Mail: (301) 770-5690
Fax: (301) 770-5694
Email: llcourtney@yahoo.com

Maharishi Ayur-Veda Medical Center
http://www.lancasterhealth.com/
679 George Hill Road
Lancaster, MA 01523
Phone: (978) 365-4549
Fax: (978) 368-7557
Email: info@lancasterhealth.com

The Raj
http://www.theraj.com/
1734 Jasmine Ave.
Fairfield, IA 52556
Toll Free: (800) 248-9050
Phone: (515) 472-9580
Fax: (515) 472-2496
Email: theraj@lisco.com
Offers personalized programs from Maharishi rejuvenation therapies to treatments for chronic disorders to restore balance to the mind and body.

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WEB RESOURCES

NOTE: Promotional and commercial sites are not included in this listing unless they provide significant impartial information resources.

Ayurvedic Health Center
http://www.ayurvedic.org/
This comprehensive site is maintained by the Jiva Ayurvedic Research Institute.  Click on "Ayurveda Education" and then "Science of Ayurveda" to read about the origin, definition, basic principles of Ayurveda, and causes and treatment for common diseases. Determine your Ayurvedic constitution and ask questions to Dr. Chauhan for free by clicking on "Practical Aspect of Ayurveda".

HealthWorld Online: Ayurvedic Medicine
http://www.ayurvedic.com
A detailed site maintained by Dr. Vasant Lad of the Ayurvedic Institute.

Chavarcode Ayurvedic Research Center
http://www.chavarcode.com/
Provides basic information about Ayurvedic medicine as well as consultants and a list of medications for specific illness.

Dhanvantri Aushadhalaya
http://www.dhanvantri.com/
This site has categorized and detailed information on Ayurveda, including a list of Ayurvedic practitioners.

The National Institute of Ayurvedic Medicine (NIAM)
http://www.niam.com/
Established by Scott Gerson, M.D., this site provides a definition of Ayurveda, and a detailed description of the basic principles of Ayurveda. The NIAM also offers correspondence courses.

Saffron Soul
http://www.saffronsoul.com/
An excellent site offering comprehensive information on ayurveda, yoga, massage, and panchakarma. Also included are links to related online journals and a directory of professionals.

SpiritWeb
http://www.spiritweb.org/Spirit/ayurveda.html
This site briefly describes the basic principles of Ayurveda and provides a list of related web-sites.

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