AYURVEDA - BY DR. AILEEN O'KANE

Ayurveda, meaning "knowledge of life", is about living in harmony with ourselves and the natural world. Body, mind and spirit are one in this ancient healing system which dates back to 5,000 years BC.

According to Ayurveda each of us inherits a unique proportion of the energies Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata is space and air, Pitta is fire and water, and Kapha is water and earth. Our particular combination of these energies gives us our individual physical and psychological characteristics, our Constitution. When our energies are in balance we are healthy. When toxic impurities build up in our bodies from imbalanced energies and a weakened digestive system we become unwell and susceptible to disease. Many factors, internal and external, create balance or imbalance in our lives; our thoughts and emotions, our lifestyles and our diets, our relationships, the weather and the seasons etc. Ayurveda is an intelligent system which explains how these factors affect us and what we need to do to create balance and remain healthy. What is appropriate for each or us is different depending on our Constitution and imbalance.

Ayurveda recognises that each individual is unique. When illness does occur Ayurveda will focus on the energetic imbalances and toxicity behind the disease. Restoration of imbalance and elimination of toxins facilitates self-healing. Chronic disorders like digestive problems, IBS, arthritis, hypertension, non-insulin dependent diabetes, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma and many other illnesses can respond favourably to Ayurveda.

Ayurveda is not a substitute for western medicine but can work well alongside it and in many situations can work very well on its own. There will still be situations in which drug therapy and surgery are the treatments of choice.

So why would you choose an Ayurvedic consultation?

You may come because you want to discover you Constitution and you would like to know what to do to remain healthy. You may come with symptoms but no specific disease or you may be looking for help to treat a specific illness.

During an initial consultation a detailed history is taken and your constitution and imbalances are determined. A physical examination includes ayurvedic pulse to help you understand your Constitution and imbalances. You will be given dietary, detoxification and lifestyle advice. Often ayurvedic remedies will be prescribed. In many cases emotional factors which are contributing to imbalances will need to be addressed.

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Author Details: Dr. Aileen O'Kane