The call for a more balanced and healthy life is being answered in the pandemic with the resurgence of traditional practices for the body, mind and soul. An ancient practice that is gaining popularity is Ayurveda – indicative of the ancient wisdom and knowledge that practitioners have accumulated over the years.
However, a look at social media will tell you that many of today’s Ayurvedic practitioners are young and well connected to several hundred people through their channels. They also have an advanced educational degree in practice and related fields to further your case. So what is driving this change? Indianexpress.com reached out to some professionals to understand more about his appointment with this form of medicine, aimed at a worldwide audience, and why Ayurveda retains an advantage for them.
Shyam VL practices in Dubai. (Source: Shyam VL)
Before the Ayurvedic medical educational system, healers carried the rich tradition of Ayurveda on their shoulders for centuries. A traditional Ayurvedic healer is one who gains knowledge from the elders of the family. Some of them have a deep understanding of the principles, they apply strict and pure application, they have no prejudices against the modern medical system and they have a solid knowledge of rare Ayurvedic herbs, ”explained Dr. Shyam VL, WHO member for Ayurveda Health Practices Benchmark, Founder and Director – Back to Roots, Kerala, India.
Born to parents who insisted on living with “healthy discipline,” the 47-year-old man with 20 years of experience came to the United Arab Emirates in 2000 when Ayurveda was not a recognized medical system. Later in 2002, he obtained the first Ayurveda license in the country from the UAE Ministry of Health. In 2017, the Dubai Health Authority awarded him the Health Excellence Award for the best doctor. “I got admission to Ayurveda studies after my 12th standard in India. And then I realized that Ayurveda is not just a medical system that treats some diseases; rather, it is the way of life and the intelligence of life and nature. I was able to connect Ayurveda with my family’s traditional and cultural lifestyle practices. Ayurveda teaches us how to live in sync and harmony with nature, ”said Dr. Shyam, who has studied Ayurveda for eight and a half years at a university for BAMS (Bachelor of Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery) and MD (Doctor of Medicine) , He said.
Ayurveda has its foundations in the ancient Indian schools of philosophical teachings called Samkhya, Vaisheshika, and the school of logic Nyaya. From ancient doctors, the knowledge of traditional medicine passed to the disciples, and then to the common man through various writings and oral narratives. Information on Ayurveda and the healing properties of herbs was composed in the form of poems, called shlokas, according to experts.
Calling Ayurveda a “bible in terms of sustainability,” Dr. Shyam explained how treatment identifies the root cause of the problem and then aims to cure it completely. Ayurveda teaches about longevity, keeping the body, mind and the world in perfect harmony. Metabolic and Autoimmune diseases they have become major health problems. It is very important to look back on this ancient intelligence and begin to apply its principles to protect the earth and ourselves, ”said Dr. Shyam, who has more than 10,000 followers on social media.
Supporting him, Dr. Dixa Bhavsar, an Ayurvedic practitioner, who regularly shares Instagram videos about simple lifestyle adjustments that can be helpful, said: “Ayurveda is literally ‘science (knowledge) of life’ rather than just a ‘treatment modality’ unlike other systems of Medicine. “It instills all human life as it teaches us everything from dinacharya (daily routine), ritucharya (seasonal routine), ratricharya (nightly rituals), and pathya- apathya (what to eat and what to avoid depending on one’s prakriti or nature), ”said the 27-year-old, who has been practicing for the past four years.
Dr. Dixa Bhavsar has been in practice for four years. (Source: Dr Dixa Bhavsar)
In 2016, when Dr. Dixa was about to complete her internship in Ayurveda medicine, she was diagnosed with hypothyroidism just like her mother. But she “refused to take any drugs for allopathy.” “My TSH or thyroid stimulating hormone was 28 then (which is really high). But I followed a strict Ayurvedic regimen, along with yoga, and within a month, my TSH dropped to 14. This made me believe in the healing powers of Ayurveda. Since then, I have been following and suggesting Ayurveda, ”shared Dr. Dixa, who has more than 6,000 followers on social media.
The first line of treatment in Ayurveda is to “avoid disease-causing factors.” “With food, lifestyle changes and medicines (if necessary), Ayurveda can completely cure many of the diseases,” said Dr. Aiswarya Santhosh from Kerala.
Ayurveda in total is a sustainable system, believes Dr. Aiswarya Santhosh. (Source: Dr Aiswarya Santhosh)
Dr. Aparna K, BAMS, MD, PhD in Ayurveda with 12 years of clinical practice, is also noted for his ability to heal, whenever one strives to follow a “routine.” “I see that today’s youth are somehow disconnected from their roots, staying healthy has taken a backseat due to highly competitive work and life hours and stress. Many lifestyle disorders like diabetes, blood pressure, PCOD have infiltrated very early and many of the young people are not aware of having a routine, respecting the biological clock, etc. It is the need of the moment to spread this ancient wisdom of living healthy, establishing a routine, managing emotional and physical stressors on a daily basis, ”said the doctor, whose father was an Ayurvedic doctor with more than 40 years of experience.
Dr. Aparna K has been practicing for 12 years. (Source: Dr Aparna K)
He added: “Ayurveda is synonymous with predictability and sustainability. The more we are in a routine, the more relaxed our nervous system will be. And the immunity will improve and the susceptibility to getting sick will be reduced. “
In the pandemic, herbs and spices became the go-to immunity boosters, suggesting that Ayurveda could help improve the body’s immune system, an idea also heavily propagated by the Government of India through the Ministry. of AYUSH and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Professionals, however, point out that Ayurveda, with a 5,000-year history, needs a much broader approach and understanding beyond advice, home remedies, and focus on specific solutions. “Ayurveda is much more than simple home remedies or having chyawanprash, turmeric and triphala. Ayurveda guarantees the permanent treatment of disorders such as thyroid, diabetes, blood pressure, for which people take medications throughout their lives ”, stated Dr. Dixa.
“For a beginner, home remedies are a good way to introduce Ayurveda, but one must realize that Ayurveda goes further. I am trying to focus on sharing case studies, experiences and photos of patients before and after healing. Ayurveda is about absorbing diet and lifestyle practices that help you live a better life. There is a lot of research being done on how things work and I am sure the future is bright, ”said Dr. Aparna, who has more than 5,000 followers on her social media channels.
While the ultimate goal of any patient is to heal, whether through Ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy, yoga, reiki, or modern medicine, there is always a constant comparison to modern medicine, although it is called “alternative. or parallel “. While Dr. Shyam mentioned that the world is gravitating towards integrative medicine to forego differences, Dr. Aparna points to coexistence with both systems of medicine that are needed on a case-by-case basis. While Dr. Aiswarya points out that Ayurveda is good for aging disorders, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorders, etc., Dr. Dixa believes that it is important to “adapt to whatever system adapts to the body and helps heal”. “Faith in your medical system is of the utmost importance. If you believe in it, it will certainly give you health and happiness, ”he said.
Some Ayurvedic principles that can be incorporated are:
* Wake up early (before 7 am)
* Practice 12 Surya Namaskars daily
* Light breakfast, moderate lunch and light dinner.
* Have an early dinner (better before 7 pm but never after 9 pm)
* No devices one hour before bedtime
* Practice alternating nasal breathing 11 times a day at bedtime
Dr. Dixa suggested some simple and beneficial everyday practices based on Ayurveda:
*Kavala (Oil rinse) – Oil rinse involves putting a tablespoon of oil in your mouth and rinsing it for about 15 to 20 minutes. The ideal is to do it on an empty stomach, which is better to eliminate all kinds of toxins accumulated in the mouth; body, but only after brushing your teeth. In Ayurvedic medicine, the mouth is considered a “mirror” for the whole body, so keeping the oral cavity healthy has a positive impact on intestinal health and the overall health of your body.
*Nasya (nasal drops) – Instilling 2 drops of hot cow ghee into the nostrils daily helps improve immunity, reduces stress, prevents and helps control sinusitis, migraine and cold.
*Vyayama (Exercise) – We all know how exercise makes us feel physically energetic and mentally happy. Don’t go a day without exercising.
*Abhyanga (Oil Massage): Daily self-massage can help slow aging, strengthen muscles, and reduce dryness.
*Garshana (Dry brushing while bathing) – Helps detoxify the lymphatic system which in turn refreshes your skin and mind.
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She is a freelance blogger, writer, and speaker, and writes for various entertainment magazines.