Ayurveda Teaching Table of contents

History of Ayurveda
The three Doshas - Tridoshas, the constitution, health problems A-Z
Mala, Agni and Ama
Diagnosis
The Pancha Karma cure - preparation, main treatment, post treatment
General rules of behavior (prophylaxis), diet - daily routine, recommendations/effects, chakras
Yoga
Chakras
Final recommendation and thoughts
Literature

1. History of Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the art of living healthy and healing gently. "Ayus" means "life" and "Veda" = "knowledge". Ayurveda is the knowledge, the science of long life, simply the science of health. Life and health are the combination of body, senses, mind and soul. So Ayurveda is not just an alternative healing method from a distant country, but a holistic science of the body, mind, soul and psyche of people.

Ayurveda was first recorded at the beginning of the so-called "Kali Yuga" around 5000 years ago. The Vedas are the entirety of the oldest texts in Indian literature. This large font complex is 6 times the size of the Bible. The Vedas were first handed down orally from generation to generation, then from around 1500 BC. they were also recorded in writing.

On the basis of astronomical facts and textual traditions, the early Rigvedic period must be dated to 6000 to 10500 BC. Excavations in Beluchistan, the Harappa period on the Saraswati river and in Mohenjodaro show that even these miracles of humanity only emerged after the heyday of the actual Vedic civilization. The beginning of medicine, Ayurveda, is lost in the dark of history. The later Vedic period goes from 3000 to 600 BC. This is followed by the Buddhist, the new heyday and finally the modern era from around 1800 AD.

The Vedas have four sections: Rigveda (Upanishads), Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda. From the last-mentioned knowledge of the spells, the Upaveda emerged with the teachings on medicine (Ayurveda), music and dance, architecture and archery. Yoga teaching comes from a different direction, namely the epic Mahabharata and its Bagavadgita. There we find the 6 schools of Hindu philosophy and there the yoga teachings of Pantanjali (around 2-4 centuries BC). The yoga teaching was later added to the Ayurveda teaching as a welcome addition.

Origins of the Indo-European languages, of all Western knowledge about logic, medicine, including surgery, can be found in these ancient writings and languages. It would therefore make sense to revitalize this old knowledge and relate it to modern medicine so that both could optimally complement each other in their application.

2. The three Doshas

Tridoshas

According to the teaching of Ayurveda, all of our physical and energetic functions (metabolic and immune system, organs, tissue structure, etc.) are expressed in three basic forces, factors or bioenergies, namely Vata, Pitta and Kapha.

The root of the word Dosha means disturbance or corruption.

In their normal stage of development, they support the physiological processes of the body. In the abnormal state, they lead to various pathological processes in the human organism. The human body is therefore supported by the pathophysiological factors (doshas) of how a house is supported by its corner pillars. So no life without Vata, Pitta, Kapha. However, the imbalance of one or more of these factors can mean illness and / or death.

According to Ayurveda, there are five basic building blocks, basic states or physical states of matter. These are connected to our 5 senses. The doshas, however, arose from the five elements. The predominant element (s) give the individual doshas their character (in brackets: eating and drinking in the event of disorders):

Ether:

Space, hearing, hearing, acoustics VATA cold, dry, mobile, light, fast (hot water, cooked food)

Air:

Movement, feeling, sense of touch

Fire PITTA:

hot, slightly oily, mobile, liquid, light, colors, eyesight, acidic, sharp, fiery

Water KAPHA

cold, moist, heavy, immobile, soft, sweet, slimy, persistent (light, hot, spicy, e.g. hot water with lemon and / or ginger, boiled, hot food, no mineral water

Earth:

Taste

The constitutions

VATA

We are under stress, tense and have many problems. Even at night we don't get our well-deserved rest; because problems and worries continue to work in us. This is VATA.

Vata is related to air and space (light, flexible). The word Vata contains the root "Va", which means: move, make an effort. Vata carries the sensory impressions into the brain and back to the organs and disposes of our waste products. The Vata type has a light physique and the factor of movement that always drives him makes him walk quickly, think quickly and speak quickly. If you tell a joke, the Vata type usually laughs before the punch line! But with their short-term memory they literally write the joke in the air, i.e. they quickly forgot him.

Let us look at the air: it is cold; because it only gets warm through the fire element. It is also cold in the slipstream, it only gets warm through the sun (fire). The air is also agile, dry; because it only gets wet through the water element.

Vata usually has neither fire nor water. So if there is too much inner movement, too much nervousness, difficulty falling asleep, too much Vata, then there are disorders. In order to reduce the high mobility, we now need rest, against too much dryness we need moisture (drinking, bathing, steam bath, humid climate) and naturally against too much cold we need warmth. So with Vata disorders, you need to avoid hectic, dry and cold weather.

Vata disorders are also: impaired sensory function, depression, sleep disorders, flatulence, constipation (bones, blood, neurotransmitters, pain management, head and nervous system, fatigue, exhaustion, headache, "thought problems", joint problems, knee problems, dizziness, hemorrhoids, nausea).

PITTA

We come very pale from Germany to the south, lie down in the sun, enjoy the warmth, but we have forgotten to protect ourselves. Only in the evening we notice that we have sunburn. That is the energy of Pitta, the fire energy that turns the pale into red skin. Pitta is the medically factor that transforms things: the metabolic factor.

PITTA is now connected with fire and water. The pitta type is therefore rather fiery. He has a intermediate memory. The root word is: heating, warming or burning. Pitta promotes digestion and metabolic processes, develops eyesight, supports the intellect and is responsible for body temperature. Pitta has its seat in the blood and thus a connection to liver bile, pancreatic juice, hemoglobin, in other words: primary metabolism, formation of red blood cells, neurotransmitters, retinal pigments and skin pigments.

Disorders are accordingly: disorders of digestion, appetite, thirst, eyesight, blood, temperature, skin, but also fear, anger, discouragement, intellectual disability, upper abdomen, chest area, headache with vomiting, allergies, fungi, bacteria, high cholesterol, fatty liver, kidneys and associated congestion of the eyes and legs, itching, leukorrhea, flor albus, solar plexus, stomach ulcers, duodenum and small bowel complaints.

KAPHA

Kapha stability is based on the presence of water and earth. Kapha types are rather stable and stable (former german Chancellor Kohl!). When telling jokes, the Kapha type is more of a "late bloomer", but he has a good long-term memory. So it takes longer before he understands the punch line. But he is the one who can still tell the joke after 20 years; because he doesn't write it in the air like the Vata type, but literally scratches it in stone.

Kapha is cold, heavy and damp, so a hot, dry sauna would do him good in the event of a malfunction. Kapha is responsible for the lubrication, the cohesion of the tissues, especially the joints, for physical strength, resistance to disease and decay, sexual potency, patience, endurance, strength of soul, harmony.

Pitta is responsible for converting fuel into energy and generating heat. Vata represents the kinetics and causes wear and tear. Both must be normalized again by Kapha. Kapha disorders are therefore: loss of appetite, tissue weakness, impotence, infertility, obesity, loss of the body's immunity, emaciation, too much sleep, listlessness, lethargy, lack of understanding, immobility, intestinal complaints, asthma or nose problems.

In conclusion, the following applies:

There are three basic factors and, accordingly, three basic constitutions. Every person brings a certain constitution (or mixed constitution) into life: Health is the harmony of the three basic factors. As soon as these factors are out of balance, disharmony begins, whose continuation and establishment then creates disease.

The aim of Ayurveda is:

the maintenance of harmony, the balance of the three factors, in other words: preventive health care, prophylaxis
In the event of a disturbance: restoration of harmony, bringing the three forces back into balance, means healing!

Complaints from A-Z

Disorders and complaints; disordered doshas
Allergies prev. Pitta for redness / inflammation,
Kapha for itching
Acne vata for stress, kapha for baby fat and excess hormones
Eye congestion (kidney!) Pitta
Listlessness Kapha
Abdomen Vata
Kapha asthma
Appetite disorders Pitta, Kapha
Fear Vata, Pitta
Kapha emaciation
Conjunctivitis Vata, Pitta
Kapha bronchitis
Flatulence Vata
Pitta blood disorders
Bacteria Pitta
Legs, swollen Pitta
Chest pain Kapha
Cholesterol, high Pitta
Depression Vata
Pitta small intestine
Colon Kapha
Exhaustion Vata
Eczema (see Neurodermatitis) Vata, Pitta, Kapha
Pitta fatty liver
Flor albus Pitta
Fingers, swollen Pitta
Boils Vata, Pitta, Kapha,
Athlete's foot Vata, Pitta, Kapha,
Vata thought problems
Joint problems Vata
Intellectual disability Pitta
Kapha tissue weakness
ENT Kapha
Hemorrhoids Vata
Skin Pitta
Herpes simplex Vata, Pitta,
Kapha impotence
Kapha immune deficiency
Itching, Pruritus Pitta, also Vata and Kapha
Comedones, see acne
Vata sensitivity to cold
Head problems Vata
Vata knee pain
Headache with vomiting Pitta
Bone Vata
Varicose veins, Kapha
Leukorrhea, see Flor albus Pitta
Lethargy Kapha
Fatigue Vata
Metabolism problems Pitta
Despair Pitta
Pitta ulcers
Blackheads, sh. acne
Nervousness vata
Kidney pitta
Kapha nasal problems
Vata neurotransmitter
Nail bed, see boil
Hives, see Urticaria Vata, Pitta, Kapha
Neurodermatitis, see eczema
Pitta mushrooms
Potency Kapha
Pruritus Pitta, also Vata and Kapha
Pitta Psoriasis
Sweating Pitta, Kapha
Insomnia vata
Sleep, missing Vata
Dizziness Vata
Psoriasis, see also Pitta Psoriasis
Pitta solar plexus
Pitta sunburn
Stress Vata
Dryness Vata
Pitta temperature disturbances
Pitta valley
Nausea Vata
Infertility Kaphait Kapha
Urticaria, see hives
Constipation Vata
Digestive problems Pitta
Vagina, see Leukorrhea / Flor albus Pitta
Warts Vata
Duodenum (ulcers) Pitta

So a Pancha Karma cure is useful in the following cases: Diseases and disorders of the sensory organs, head and nervous system, fat balance, joints, tissue, blood, stomach, small and large intestine, skin (allergy, acne, psoriasis), the psyche (depression, fear, listlessness, anger, discouragement).

Also: sleep disorders, fatigue, exhaustion, dizziness, hemorrhoids, immune system, sexual potencies, impotence, migraines, cervical spine syndrome, asthma, bronchitis, joint (also knee) complaints, rheumatism, arthritis, arthrosis, cardiovascular diseases, women suffering, Parkinson's disease, ankylosing spondylitis, symptoms of paralysis

3. Mala, Agni and Ama

Mala are waste products of the body that are used for functional and structural tasks, which are undigested or indigestible food residues that reach the colon from the stomach and small intestine. So they are exogenous in nature.

There are also the endogenous fatty components and inorganic substances, the excessive loss of which must be avoided in the context of Pancha Karma therapy, otherwise the body tissues will be broken down rapidly. Ayurveda therefore recommends that physical waste products should not be completely eliminated from the body. These include: urine, sweat, gases, bile, ear wax, feces, hair, nails, tears.

Agni is the digestive fire. It breaks down food into its simplest components that can be absorbed by the body. Each cell contains Vata, Pitta and Kapha and in particular Agni as Pitta, physically, chemically and biologically. Agni is among others responsible for converting food into doshas and mala.

The gastrointestinal tract from the stomach to the end of the small intestine is specified as the anatomical location of the primary metabolism, but also extends into the smallest tissue (dhatu). Diseases therefore arise mainly from improper nutrition, whereby disorders of the Agni also cause disorders of the Tridoshas and the emergence of Ama. The undigested material of the body is called ama. In fact, it means: uncooked, immature, undigested. Here, due to the improperly functioning primary metabolism, factors develop that we can definitely call poisons.

Severely disturbed doshas, tissues (dhatu) and other waste products (mala) are excreted as ama. During the course of treatment, the body is first treated with digestive medication, then with oil and sweating cures, before the elimination measures that correspond to the constitution and condition of the patient, in which the toxic substances are finally removed.

4. Diagnosis

In Ayurveda, the various causes of illness are mainly attributed to negative, individual karma (e.g. regular overeating with the consequence of an excessively high cholesterol level) and collective karma (destruction of the environment). Dharma means living in harmony and harmony with creation, Adharma means the opposite.

The stages of a disease result in the following picture:

Accumulation = mild increase in doshas
Provocation = tendency towards a large increase in doshas
Expansion = "overflow" of the disturbed doshas to other locations
Fixing = Doshas leave the cavities (e.g. the gastrointestinal tract) and fix themselves in the tissue
Manifestation = further development of the disease with great pain
Differentiation = The disease either becomes chronic, incurable or subsides

Accordingly, the examination begins with a detailed medical history of the patient and his family. The disease and psychosocial anamnesis deals with the constitution, the development of the disease, the habits, the state of the psyche, appetite and digestive power, physical strength, age, family and professional life and the diet. Finally there is the clinical examination with pulse, tongue, eye, face and hand diagnosis, auscultation and palpitation, as well as a laboratory for urine, stool and possibly blood.

The diagnosis finally allows conclusions to be drawn about the basic constitution (i.e.: Vata, Pitta, Kapha or mixed constitution), the disturbed doshas, the resulting diseases and a prognosis. Finally, the doctor will explain the general rules of behavior and the diet to be followed and suggest appropriate therapy with psycho- and physiotherapeutic measures and medication. Contrary to popular belief, pulse diagnosis is not the most important part of Ayurveda diagnostics. The good doctor can also derive the prevailing doshas from all other signs of the body.

While in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the pulse can be used to infer organ complaints directly (left: heart, liver, kidney; right: lung spleen, kidney), Ayurveda diagnostics only determine the constitutional and pathological doshas there. That means: the character of the pulse indicates, via the doshas, the situation in which the patient finds himself (hunger, thirst, pregnancy, before or after a meal, etc.), his psychological state (anger, fear), the type of food, the pathological conditions (over- and underfunction of doshas, weakness, fever, hemorrhoids, asthma) and the type of prognosis (poor, life-threatening, good).

The eye diagnosis cannot be compared with the western eye or iris diagnosis either. It is only a matter of recognizing the predominant dosha (e.g. restless eyes = Vata, strong sensitivity to light = Pitta and watery eyes = Kapha hyperfunction). The lowered state of the lower eyelid can also be used to identify the state of the circulation.

After the pulse diagnosis, the tongue examination is considered as the most important method. Dosha disorders can be identified very easily here, but also diseases directly, e.g. of the digestive tract or the mineral and vitamin balance ("Gran Canyon" = furrowed tongue). Finally, the measured blood pressure (always be careful when visiting a doctor!) and the laboratory findings are reluctantly included in the overall diagnosis and related to the constitution (Prakriti) and the current disorder (Vrikriti).

Finally, suggestions for therapy, diet and lifestyle are given.

5. The Pancha Karma Cure

Let us imagine that we are healthy. We are in normal balance. Now we have suddenly experienced a stressful day, too much Vata has been built up for a short time over this day. There is a natural imbalance and we will do everything we can to reduce it. We try to relax in a pleasant mood, maybe take a warm bath, eat lightly, rest or sleep. This harmonization, the short-term restoration of equilibrium, the remedying of a slight disorder is one treatment method.

The fundamental basis of Ayurveda is Pancha Karma therapy.

Example 1:

A person is under a lot of stress, he has grief, worries, marital problems, maybe job worries. He is afraid! This pressure, this fear, narrows the vessels. Substances are deposited, the consequences are thrombosis, stroke, heart attack.

Here it is the Vata energy that constricts the vessels via the psyche, causing the body to slag and cause damage. Arterial calcifications have already been found in very small children who died early. So this system is very sensitive and is sensitive to substances and influences, even during pregnancy. Examinations of young American soldiers during the Korean War who died between 20 and 30 years of age also showed a high percentage of advanced arterial calcification.

These slags, called Ama, cause among other things cardiovascular diseases. They are removed as part of the Pancha Karma cure.

Example 2:

According to the teaching of Ayurveda, the three doshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha dominate certain body regions. Vata, for example, sits in the lower intestine, pitta in the duodenum and small intestine, and Kapha up to the top of the head. With a Kapha disorder, substances can now accumulate in the upper area of the body. Bronchitis, asthma and ENT complaints are typical of this. Slags can manifest as polyps, so they can only be removed by surgery.

Health care according to Ayurveda principles is now about removing the slags as quickly as possible without risk of manifestation. If you have a cold, the body cleans itself. In Ayurveda, Nasya is used to help clean and clear the ENT area. The intestine and urogenital area are not stressed, because in this case the detoxification runs exclusively through the nose.

General rules of behavior

We will see that Pancha Karma is complex and therefore not cheap. However, the great expenditure of time, material and personnel is offset by a great therapeutic effect, which is based on the fact that the root cause of the disease is eliminated (treatment of the cause, not the symptom). For these reasons, a complete Pancha Karma Cure requires a minimum of 3-4 weeks.

Preparation

(Preparatory treatments Purvakarma)

At the beginning of the cure are measures to promote the digestive power (Agni), e.g. eliminate flatulence that could hinder the perfect elimination of toxic substances and excess doshas from the body. Triphala is a good, digestive and anti-flatulence remedy for pitta and vata constitutions or disorders, for kapha disorders trikatu with honey and a sip of water. Both should be taken for a few days or at least on the evening before the oil treatment. This means: Before every oil treatment, make sure that there are no digestive disorders!

Already during the medical history, it is determined which of the therapeutic oils is suitable for external use. Oils with a warming effect are mostly used for the body, oils with a cooling effect for the head area, oils for sensitive skin, fat-reducing oils and oils for the respective Tridosha constitutions. There are well over 100 different formulas of oils in the Ayurveda cure.

The oil treatments are very relaxing, have a strong influence mainly on Vata. Because they are warm and heavy, the reduce Vata. They make the body warm, supple and light, give good bowel movements, clean the doshas and drive ama, i.e. the elimination of toxins and waste products. These then pass through the intestine, urogenital tract or through the skin.

The gentle massage has a deeply relaxing effect on the central nervous system, not only relieving physical tension, but also emotional blockages. This treatment makes the skin supple, helps to achieve natural beauty and also prepares the skin for sunbathing by energizing it, this applies particularly to so-called powder applications. Abhyanga is the predominantly used external oil treatment, it means: anointing. Here oily substances are anointed on the body, left there for some time and then washed off. Abhyanga means seven positions with corresponding massages: head, face, various forms of body, special and foot massages.

A very pleasant treatment is the synchronous massage, where medicated, warm oil is applied and massaged in by two therapists. This therapy has a very calming effect, improves circulation, promotes healing for inflammation and swelling, eliminates obesity and pain, reduces fatigue and promotes the formation of muscle tissue. This therapy is used when a stronger psychological effect is desirable.

Abhyanga also includes four head treatments: head anointing, head watering, head wrap, and head enema.

The head casting = Shirodhara is mainly used. Indications are: chronic insomnia, headache, dizziness, premature graying, diseases (especially pitta) of the eyes, ears and nose, migraines, cervical spine syndrome. Lying on his back with his eyes covered, warm oil is poured over the patient's forehead. The corresponding liquid is poured into the so-called Dhara vessel and brought to the forehead with a swinging movement of the vessel in a narrow trickle. As a rule, 5 to 7 treatments of this type are carried out, on two days the oil pouring can also concentrate on the so-called third eye in the middle of the forehead.

Shirodhara has a profound effect, stimulates all five senses, works for migraines, cervical spine complaints, eye problems and can cause mental changes until the third eye opens. It has an equally positive influence on our tongue and mouth glands including the parotid gland, brings out aggression or depression, the seeing of pictures and colors as well as out of body experiences have been observed not infrequently.

During the entire time of Shirodhara applications, the head and ears should be covered. Air conditioners, fans or wind should be avoided. Patients should not undertake any efforts or major activities and should not go swimming after the first two applications. These behavioral instructions are more than important and must be observed urgently, since otherwise complaints such as headaches and / or ear ailments can lead to inflammation of the middle ear.

The mouthwash offered as a supplement to Shirodhara = Kavala sweeps away the toxins. Hereby the mouth is rinsed with a so-called decoction = decoction from herbs. When the disturbed doshas collect in the cheek area and exit through the nose and eyes, the substances can be spit out. If the eardrum is intact, pretreatment for tinnitus and ear pain offers ear filling.

The eye bath is used for prophylaxis and chronic eye diseases. It is a pleasant treatment and gives a really "new and golden view of things". Now the (toxic) substances have been removed from the tissue by the oil treatments from the outside or also from the inside (e.g. by taking ghee). As Amas, however, they still have to be transported to the excretory organs, be it the nose, skin, intestine, or urogenital tract. The channels (shrotas) for this are: lymphatic system, veins, arteries and the intestine. These channels also need to be cleaned and expanded by means of warmth and relaxation. Heat is generated by sweating to expand the vessels and activate the organism. Swedana = sweating through inhalation, sweating or steam bath (upper body area, contraindications: hemorrhoids, hypotension), sauna (chronic polyarthritis, high blood pressure, obesity), herbal bath.

Here Sri Lanka is ideally suited for such a cure, because the tropical climate with constant temperatures of 28 degrees causes the vessels to expand, so that further sweat treatments are used very carefully and little so as not to overload the body. Other sweat treatments are: Pizhichil, warm oil pouring, hot wraps or hot, nourishing wraps or taps with rice porridge bags and numerous warm herbal and oil baths and shower baths.

Before the nose treatment, Nasya, the gods set the inhalation. In the case of diseases of the eyes and sinuses, nasal congestion, sinusitis etc., the toxins (bad doshas, Ama) should be excreted through the nose. Inhalation is required as a pretreatment. The patients lie on their stomach on the couch with their head over an opening. Below is a large pot of hot herbal water. The steam is now inhaled or exhaled through the mouth and nose, with all vessels in the head area being cleaned and expanded.

It is therefore the aim of the preparatory measures (Purvakarma), oil massages and sweating cures to loosen the toxins (Ama) stuck in the tissue and to bring them into the hollow organs. Ama mainly collects in the gastrointestinal tract. If Ama is not eliminated now, symptoms of intoxication, abdominal cramps, indigestion, gastroenteritis, loss of appetite, etc. can occur. If Ama even gets into the blood from the intestine, pimples, acne, urticaria, allergies, liver dysfunction, kidney and / or bladder stones are known sequelae. The prescribed sequence of pre-treatment, eliminating main treatment and post-treatment should therefore be strictly followed.

The term Panchakarma comes from Sanskrit. "Pancha" means "five" and "Karma" means "deed". Five cleaning measures gave the type of treatment its name. So in this context "Pradhanakarma" = main treatment:

Vomiting
Laxative
Enema
Nasal mucosal therapy
Bloodletting

Vamana, therapeutic vomiting, eliminates excess Kapha and Ama from the stomach and lungs. This includes courage, strong will and physical resistance. In India and Sri Lanka, people have no problem vomiting on request. For Western patients, this type of cleaning is usually only carried out in Ayurveda clinics under medical supervision. Ayurveda specialists consider vomiting after taking large amounts of water with Glauber's salt to be wrong and dangerous.

The laxative (Virecana) removes excess pitta and ama (digested toxic substances) from the small intestine and liver. There are sensitive digestive organs that get diarrhea (predominantly pitta) after ingesting milk and insensitive organs (predominantly vata) that show no reaction even after taking laxatives. In all cases, it is important to identify the correct laxative.

On the morning of the laxative day, the patient drinks medicine (decoction, decoction, laxative) on an empty stomach and then only warm water until noon. Removal is quick and usually without complications, so that patients can have a specially prepared menu again at noon.

Vasthi, the intestinal enema, removes excess vata and ama in the colon. It is considered one of the most important Pancha Karma measures. There are a large number of enema types and various subspecies. The intestinal enemas are used on the one hand for cleaning with very small amounts of liquids, on the other hand energies and active substances are also supplied to the body with the aqueous or oily liquids. We know from suppositories or suppositories for fever and pain that the lower intestinal area absorbs substances very sensitively and directs them as quickly as possible into our central nervous system.

The two most important types in practice are:

An enema with oily substances that should be kept in the body for a long time before they are excreted (approx. 9 hours). It has a cleansing and nourishing effect at the same time and makes the intestines soft and supple. The risk of the intestine drying out and the intestinal flora being destroyed by repeated, watery enemas or those with decoctions is very high. In this respect, colon hydrotherapy practiced in the West is not supported in Ayurveda.

There are also enemas with various decoctions and liquids that should be excreted within a short time. They remove feces and therefore have a more cleaning effect, but a slightly drying one. In Nasya, the nasal mucosal therapy, Ama and Kapha are excreted in the head area. Nasya is used to treat diseases of all parts of the body that lie over the shoulders. The nose is the gate of the head. Medicines that are delivered in this way are distributed in the head regions and eliminate their disorders, e.g. central nervous system, migraines, hemicrania and hemiplegia, tension headache, toothache, ear problems, eye diseases, sore throat etc.

After the oil or sweat pretreatments and inhalation, the head area is also completely warmed up and ready to flush out the toxins. In one type, an oily substance (based on sesame oil) is dripped into the patient's nose and sniffed up. This substance can later be spit out through the throat. If stronger and more drying effects are desired, e.g. powder is used for strong Kapha conditions such as extreme mucus in the nasal passage. Similar to snuff powder, this is sniffed up and brought out through the nose with all toxins shortly after persistent sneezing attacks.

Bloodletting, or its mild form with leeches, is less common, but is also known to be effective in the West. Acupuncture is also rarely found, as it belongs to traditional Chinese medicine.

Post treatment

(post-elimination treatments, Pascatakarma)

After the preparatory and eliminating measures, the organism should be free of pathological, toxic substances, i.e. disrupted Doshas, Dhatu, Mala and Ama. Now harmonizing and regenerating therapies with medication and so-called Rasayanas as well as psychotherapy, meditation, yoga, music and sports activities are important as supplements.

Ayurveda knows medicines for healthy people. They have a constructive, regenerating and immunostimulating effect. Of course, there are also medicines for the sick: they eliminate diseases. However, both types serve simultaneously in both areas of application.

As a rule, the medicines are freshly prepared every day. There are herbal wines, called tonic, which contain about 1% alcohol due to their natural fermentation, as well as decoctions, pills and powder. Rasayanas promote health, keep young, eliminate chronic fatigue, both physical and psychological weakness, maintain the balance of the Tridoshas Vata, Pitta and Kapha, stimulate the production of digestive enzymes (Agni) and improve the complexion, they give the immune system new strength. In ancient writings even the purpose of Rasayana therapy is called the transformation of low energies into higher forms.

There are Rasayanas for body tissues, for various constitutions, for certain organs, as an aphrodiasiac (Makaradhwaja), for certain diseases, for daily routine (Chawana Prasawa Lehaya) and anabolic Rasayanas (Kusmandi and gold or red powder made of mercury, sulfur and 40 herbs in a gold pot produced lengthy).

Music, chromotherapy, movement or dance therapy are further harmonizing measures.

6. Recommendations/Effects

With most Purvakarma therapies, the patient should have already digested the previous meal and emptied the bowel and bladder. Abhyanga alone, the oil massages, last almost an hour, the entire treatments take 1.5 to 2 hours. If possible, do not chat during the therapy. The treatments are so pleasant that the patient automatically sinks into a comfortable state of relaxation.

After the oil and sweat treatments, no air conditioning, no fan, no draft, no wind and no cold should come close to the body. Especially after the forehead shower (Shirodhara), the head and ears must be protected. It is also ideal to rest for an hour after the therapy, if possible without (afternoon) sleep, because otherwise the doshas will become out of balance (especially Kapha, i.e.: contradiction to Kapha treatment by Shirodhara and afternoon sleep!).

No great efforts should be made during therapy, such as excursions, reading, watching TV, doing headwork, but light sports (swimming, walks) after consultation with the doctor. One to two hours after the application, you can take a warm shower, preferably wash your hair and body without shampoo, so that the effect of the oils that have penetrated the skin is maintained for as long as possible.

A lot of hot or warm water is drunk before and after the treatments, but in case of diarrhea it should only be at room temperature. "Empty water", i.e. water without information, takes all toxins with them and lets them flush out through the body. This usually does not apply to all mineral water, tea, coffee, alcohol etc. If the cure also takes place in tropical latitudes, about 4 liters of water have to be drunk daily to replenish the electrolyte balance! Elderly patients (approximately 70 years or older, depending on their constitution) should only take applications every other day.

More than half of the patients from Europe who are treated with oil and sweat treatments in India or Sri Lanka react with massive, emotional reactions. Westerners are top-heavy and have inhibitions about showing their feelings. With oil massages, however, not only physical tension do release naturally, but also and in particular whole avalanches from mental (psycho-somatic) blockages. The massages with warm oil are very sensual, they are almost caresses for body and mind. So feelings of euphoria, anger, joy, depression but also eroticism can emerge. It is therefore important that the therapists are trained to deal with such dangerous situations. It would also make sense if the hotel or the spa company additionally offered a psychotherapist as an aid.

As with almost all naturopathic therapies, Ayurveda can of course also have initial reinforcements. If diagnosis and therapy are not carried out correctly or if the patient disregards the recommendations of doctors, therapists and caregivers, undesirable effects are inevitable. Possible reactions are: ear problems, headache, allergies, migraines, disturbed sleep, epileptic seizures, indigestion, constipation, etc.

7. Yoga

Yoga has its roots only indirectly in the Vedas from which Ayurveda originated. Probably the yoga structure first emerged from the so-called panting-breathing and the recitation (e.g. OM) of meditating monks. In the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata, namely the part known as Bagavadgita, written testimonies of yoga, especially Pranayma, the breathing exercises, appear for the first time. Around the 2nd-4th Century BC Chr. Patanjali writes yoga treatises. Rishis, yogis, and monks later found a system of exercises that facilitated pranayama and meditation as preliminary stages, kept the body supple, and let the energy flows of the prana flow.

There are four main directions in yoga: Karma, Bhakti, Inana and Raja yoga, as well as secondary directions such as Kundalini, Sankya, Mantra, Laya and Kriya Yoga. From Raja-Yoga, the royal yoga of Patanjali, called Ashtanga, the eight rungs of the yoga ladder for higher consciousness emerged, these are general rules of life on an ethical and moral basis:

Yama is social hygiene, the way we relate to society. Niyama describes personal hygiene, both physically and mentally. Asana are the postures, commonly referred to as yoga. They influence the sensory, motor and central nervous system, strengthen and stretch muscles, tendons, ligaments and promote blood circulation. They also serve as preparation for pranayama, the breathing exercises. Conversely, since emotions affect our breathing, we can also calm our emotions by influencing our breathing. By breathing we are controlling our psyche. Pranayama also improves blood oxygen levels, brain function, metabolism and lung capacity. However, caution is advised when learning pranayama exercises with breathing behavior on your own!

Pratyahara teaches us to let thoughts and feelings pass without responding to them, just to watch them flow past us. Dharana gives peace after Pratyahara and strengthens concentration. Dhyana is the next level after all. After all thoughts have moved into the background, it is the meditation par excellence. This includes Yoga-nidra and Suryanamaska, the sun salutation.

Samadhi is the last and highest level of the eightfold yoga path. It means "firmly rooted spirit". It is the point from which you no longer return to material consciousness, but remain in a state of immeasurable happiness.

Yoga has found its place in Ayurveda treatment. If a yoga program is tailored to the patient and its indication and started with the necessary caution, then wonderful effects result from the combination of yoga and Ayurveda. In particular for post-treatment and in the long term, yoga can increase Ayurveda treatments and have great success in the long term.

The morning should start with the sun salutation. Asanas are a series of exercises that are named after the Yogi Rishikesh (see literature). As an exercise to control your breath, nasal breathing (Nadi Sodhana) is sufficient. Then the meditation follows, for beginners 1-5 minutes are sufficient.

8. Chakras

Cakra comes from the Sankrit and means: "wheel, circle", that is the name for the centers of subtle or "subtle" energies (Prana, Kundalini) in humans.

They collect, transform and distribute the energy flowing through them. If the chakras also have correspondences on the gross physical level (e.g. heart or solar plexus), they are not identical to these correspondences. Doshas strive to go through the chakras. So a balance in favor of the tridoshas is also important for the chakras.

There are:

The root chakra, Muladhara, between the anus and genitals, color yellow (also: red), element earth.
Sacral chakra, spleen or belly chakra, Svadhisthana, color white (also: orange), element water.
The navel or solar plexus chakra, Manipura, color red (yellow), element fire.
Heart chakra, Anahata, color gray-blue (green), element air.
The larynx chakra, Vishuddha, color white (blue), element ether.
Forehead chakra, Ajna, third eye, color white (purple).
Crown or crown chakra, Sahasrara, color white / silver.

9. Final recommendation and thoughts

After a Pancha Karma cure lasting several weeks, the patient will find it difficult to revert to his western lifestyle. He will realize that a method over 5000 years old has not lost its meaning and he will try to implement some recommendations in his life.

At the beginning of every day, next to the sun salutation, the tongue should be cleaned. Deposits on the tongue disrupt the taste buds, incorrect information about the food inevitably leads to indigestion. Better taste buds not only lead to sensible, instinctively good nutrition, but could also give the final impetus to quit smoking.

Breakfast like an emperor, lunch like a king and dinner like a beggar, we find this wisdom in Ayurveda:

Breakfast like an emperor
Lunch like a farmer
Dinner like a beggar

During the cure, breakfast usually does not include more than a herbal soup and fruit, wholegrain bread can later be served in the west. One egg per week is allowed. A good lunch consists of rice and steamed vegetables, fish is possible and often necessary. In India and Sri Lanka there is "rice and curry", which are various types of rice and maybe 10 well-seasoned vegetables. For dinner there is again a soup, then little rice and vegetables, fruit for dessert.

According to Ayurveda criteria, the following recommendation applies:

Prohibited:

Tomatoes, passion fruit and pineapple, as it is strongly acidic. Also: vinegar products, chutney, pork and beef, dairy products

(also: butter, cheese, etc.), cold drinks and food. Raw lettuce, fish and fruit are no longer displayed in the evening.

Raw salad is rare in Ayurveda. It is difficult for people to digest and can lead to joint inflammation. Here one should give preference to a 5000 year old form of nutrition to the newer, maybe 50 year old forms. Even with the nutritional forms postulated as healing food, such as Bircher-Benner, Dr. Bruker, Dr. Lützner, Dr. Miehlke etc. is known that high fresh food components in the food can prove to be incompatible and therefore to be reduced or to be replaced entirely by short-cooked, plant-based foods.

Permitted:

Ayurveda is not synonymous with vegetarianism. On the contrary: In the case of particularly serious diseases, a diet can also include special types of meat.

As a rule, white fish is allowed for lunch. Apple cider vinegar or hot water with lemon or lemons for breakfast (lose weight), not later. Furthermore: fruits, vegetables, soy products inc. soybean oil, sesame oil as vegetable fat (external and internal use), ghee as animal fat, fiber products with poor digestion (here: beans, asparagus, okra, etc.).

The most important aspect of Ayurveda behavior has been the exact observance of daily meals. Unfortunately, this is usually not possible in the West. But since the three doshas also work at certain times, it would be important to always eat at the same times. In addition to warm or hot water, the interested party should drink pitta tea in the morning (kidney flushing), kapha tea during the day and vata tea (head and nervous system) in the evening.

Against high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, garlic pieces (without middle part) are placed in honey for 2-3 months and then a piece is eaten in the morning and evening. Shampoos made from or with advocado or (if possible fresh) aloe vera are available to combat hair loss or hair problems.

The following "muesli" helps against migraines: cook brown rice and leave it in the water overnight. Remove the water in the morning, add salt, onion, garlic, depending on your taste, and most importantly: coconut milk, then eat. Lactobacilli apparently form, the coconut milk flushes toxins out of the body and the "muesli" removes bad vata, which causes migraines.

We saw the indications for which Ayurveda can help and how little effort can have a long-term effect at home. Ayurveda gives healthy and beautiful skin, achieves weight normalization, bright, clear eyes, tissue improvement, rejuvenation and a slowing down of the aging process.

There is also: stimulation of the self-healing powers, strengthening of the immune system, strengthening of the nervous system, revitalization, improvement of the general condition, deep relaxation, inner calmness and serenity. In the end, Ayurveda offers an increased zest for life and a higher level of energy in order to be better equipped against all stress attacks!

10 Literature

Hans-Heinrich Rhyner

Das Praxis Handbuch Ayurveda Urania-Verlag

Lexikon der östlichen Weisheitslehren

O.W. Barth Verlag

Andre van Lysebeth

YOGA für Menschen von heute Mosaik Verlag