UNEP– LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME 2005 – HUMAN DIMENSIONS – SCIENCE OF LIFE - AYURVEDA by Dr. Anand Shrivastava Maharishi Ayurveda Products Ltd

To address the various health threatening issues raised in the earlier session, we now will discuss the relevance of the time-tested holistic ancient technologies which have been revalidated through rigorous scientific tests & trials in the recent past.

Ayurveda

Ayurveda – It’s meaning

Ayurveda is the combination of 2 words

Ayur - Veda

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Ayur meaning The Whole Lifespan Veda meaning Total Knowledge The science of Ayurveda, therefore, encompasses treatment of the total knowledge of the whole Lifespan.

Ayurveda – It’s Purpose

Preserving the health of healthy and eliminating suffering of the sick

Health according to Ayurveda

Balance in Doshas, Balance in Agnis, Balance in Dhatus, Proper elimination, Blissful Senses, Mind and Bliss at the deepest level of Soul is

Health.

DOSHAS

3 fundamental principles governing body functions

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The Human Body & Health System simplified into three fundamental principles:

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Vata -

governs all the movements –

Pitta -

governs digestion, metabolism & energy production –

Kapha

- governs physical structure & fluid balance.

3 fundamental principles governing bodily functions

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These 3- principles(Vata, Pitta, Kapha) govern all the activities of mind & body.

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When V,P,K, are in balance, health is optimal.

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When the balance is disturbed, health problems surface.

3 fundamental principles governing body functions

3- fundamental principles & Their basic functions VATA:

Governs central & sympathetic nervous system and body movements

Results of balance

Mental alertness, strong immunity, sound sleep, proper formation of body tissues, normal elimination, energy.

Results of imbalance

Dullness, intolerance of cold, insomnia Underweight, constipation, rough skin, common fatigue, tension headache, anxiety, and worry.

PITTA:

Sharp intellect, normal heat & Governs thermo-genesis thirst mechanisms, lustrous Excessive body heat, heartburn premature graying, baldness, & metabolism- digestion, blood colouration & complexion. rashes, skin inflammations, visual problems, irritability. formation of various secretions & excretions

KAPHA:

Governs thermo- taxis & formation of various preservative fluids, e.g., mucus, etc.

Muscular strength, vitality & stamina, stability of mind, healthy normal joints. Lethargy & dullness, slow digestion, obesity, sinus congestion, oily skin, nasal allergies

Five Elements & the Three Doshas

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Agnis (the Digestive Fires)

Fire is one of Nature’s 5 basic elements.

Fire (heat), in our body, takes the form of the digestive Juices, known as Agni.

Ayurvedic treatment is mostly about sustaining and balancing digestive fire (Agni).

Agni, having the qualities of heat and transformation, is responsible for cooking and digesting the food.

THE 13 AGNIS

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JATHAR AGNI (made up of 5 Bhootagnis).

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5- BHOOT AGNIS (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space).

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7- DHATU AGNIS ( Plasma, Blood, Muscle tissue, Fat tissue, Bone tissue, Bone marrow & tissue of the nervous system, reproductive tissue.

AGNIS IN DIGESTIVE PROCESS

FOOD INTAKE

JATHARAGNI formed by all 5-elements, cooks (transforms) food into 2 substances

PRASAD

Nutritive matter With some waste matter Undergoes further digestion, transformation & metabolism

KITT

Basically waste matter With some nutritive matter Undergoes further digestion, transformation & metabolism

AGNIS IN DIGESTIVE PROCESS

Prasad Dhatuagnis Dhatus (7-Body Tissue) Malas (Waste)

Dhatus (Body Tissues)

Three Doshas express themselves through Dhatus.

Doshas govern Dhatus which in turn makeup body organs Balanced Dhatus mean normal development of body Structure Imbalance in any one of Dhatus leads to abnormalities in Body structure and its development

Rasa Rakta Mamsa Meda Asthi Majja Shukra

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The Seven Dhatus

(Body Tissues)

Plasma, the first product of digestion and metabolism.

Blood, including haemoglobin muscle tissue fat tissue bone tissue bone marrow, tissue of the nervous system reproductive tissues

Malas (Waste Products)

Post digestion, human body eliminates waste Products mainly in the form of foeces and Urine. However in the process of forming of Dhatus, waste products, called Dhatu Malas are also produced.

All the Malas need to be eliminated for good health.

If Malas are not eliminated properly, toxins start Accumulating resulting into disease onset.

The Seven Tissues (Dhatus) and Their Normal Waste Products (Malas) Dhatu

Rasa (plasma) Rakta (blood) Mamsa (muscle) Meda (fat) Asthi (bones) Majja (bone marrow, nervous system) Shukra(reproductive)

Mala

Phlegm (Kapha) Bile (Pitta) Excreta from the outer openings (Ears, Eyes, Mouth, Nose, Roots of Hair) Sweat Head and Body Hair, Finger and Toe-nails Oily substances in the eyes, Skin, and Foeces No waste product

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