Diseases and Health as seen by Ayurveda

Ayurveda claims that health is not just the mere absence of diseases. Everything happening to us or around us has an effect on the balance of our VPK, hence, on our health.

The Ayurvedic concept of health includes:

• The balance of the doshas;

• Proper digestion;

• Optimal metabolic processes;

• Normal functioning of all organs and tissues;

• Timely and appropriate elimination of waste materials;

• Purity of the soul and consciousness;

• Clarity of all sense perceptions.
  

The above list suggests that health is more than a mere physiological necessity. The imbalance of any of the above mentioned factors could precede a disease. The more one follows the requirements of his own Prakriti (nature), the stronger his health becomes.

The latest findings of medical science which provide physicians with newer and newer medicines can successfully fight against a whole range of diseases. In maintaining health proper nutrition, the observance of hygienic and sanitary standards as well as the early prevention and diagnosis of diseases all play a crucial role. Due to these, a lot of dreadful diseases of the past have become non-existent or curable.

Could this all serve as a basis to claim that people have become healthier, especially if we consider health to be nothing else than the absence of diseases? Yes, nowadays people live longer, but we still cannot consider the quality of our life to be satisfactory. The progress of science and technology may free humanity from certain diseases, but progress itself has become the cause of other diseases. Unfortunately, the number of diseases connected to stress and environmental pollution – such as metabolic disorders, circulatory and neuro-psychiatric disturbances, high blood pressure, diabetes, and immunity problems - increases.

It is not at all a coincidence that at the turn of the 21st century the World Health Organization has announced the combination of “European” medicine and Ayurveda as the most effective healing method for all humanity.

It is important to stress that Ayurveda and “European” medicine are not antagonistic. On the contrary, medical practice and experience all over the world have proven that the best results are achieved by the joint application of both systems.