Ayurveda

Ayurveda is India's traditional, natural system of medicine that has been practiced for more than 5,000 years. Ayurveda provides an integrated approach to preventing and treating illness through lifestyle interventions and natural therapies.

Ayurvedic theory states that all disease begins with an imbalance or stress in the individual's consciousness. Lifestyle interventions are a major ayurvedic preventive and therapeutic approach. Ayurveda also focuses on exercise, yoga, meditation, and massage.

Ayurveda believes in 'five great elements' (earth, water, fire, air and space) forming the universe, including the human body. Blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow, chyle, and semen are believed to be the seven primary constituent elements of the body. Ayurveda stresses a balance of three substances: wind/spirit/air, phlegm, and bile, each representing divine forces. Acording to Ayurvedic beliefs, the doctrine of these three Doshas - vata (wind/spirit/air), pitta (bile) and kapha (phlegm) — is important. It is believed that building a healthy metabolic system, attaining good digestion, and proper excretion leads to vitality.

Published studies have documented reductions in cardiovascular disease risk factors, including blood pressure, cholesterol, and reaction to stress, in individuals who practice Ayurvedic methods.