What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is the ancient form of medicine from India and has been practiced in the Indian subcontinent for centuries, even being documented in the ancient Sanskrit Mahabharata dated all the way back to 4 B.C.E.
This ancient medicine has expanded to other regions outside the Indian subcontinent and continues to be believed in as a viable alternative medicine for many in modern times.
The first documented record of Ayurveda can be found to date as far back as the middle of the first millennia B.C.E. Loosely translated from Sanskrit, Ayurveda means the knowledge of life and longevity and display parallels to many religions and practices founded in India, including Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
The principle founding factor of Ayurveda is a respect for harmony and balance – suppressing natural urges was seen to be inviting sickness and the guiding principle from our ancestors was to live in moderation to foster and remain healthy.
The principle founding factor of Ayurveda is a respect for harmony and balance – suppressing natural urges was seen to be inviting sickness and the guiding principle from our ancestors was to live in moderation to foster and remain healthy.
How this relates to modern-day illnesses:
With the frenzied craze surrounding the COVID-19 Coronavirus strand rearing its ugly head in the early months of 2020; it has never been more important to encourage a naturally stronger and more robust immune system.
Our ancestors had diseases and ailments during their years of existence that crippled society and they were left with no other alternative than to turn to Mother Nature for solutions.
Though we’re by no means discrediting the advances and great strides we have made as a species in medicine and allopathic treatments, we also do not believe it is wise to so easily forget the lessons we have learnt throughout the ages.
There’s a reason natural remedies are once again starting to make a comeback when it comes to combatting the many viruses, bacterial infections, and other issues that face us (such as mental health ailments, etc.) – they are proven to work.
Here at Nim-Véda Australia, we always say that Mother Nature has the solution to nearly all the problems mankind faces, if we just have the patience to listen to her wisdom. Look around you with respect and we’re positive you’ll find a powerful way to heal and nourish yourself, physically, emotionally and spiritually!
Viruses are mutating, no matter how many vaccines allopathic medicine seems to come up with, it feels like we’re constantly playing catch up to the diseases and various ailments attacking our species in modern times.
Don’t get us wrong – we’re not advocating against the use of vaccines or allopathic medication but we also aren’t discounting the wisdom of ancient and natural treatments and the effort and work our ancestors put into healing through Mother Nature.
At Nim-Véda Australia, we strongly believe in the supreme power of our environment and this beautiful planet we live in. We are strong advocates of protecting and respecting Nature while borrowing from her to heal ourselves from within.
Though natural remedies may take longer, we believe that they find and cure at the source rather than being Band-Aid solutions and as such, are perfect complementary measures to treating many of the ailments that strike us down throughout our lives!
Many of the viruses that affect us now have similar structures and results as those that attacked our ancestors so there is no logical reason as to why many of the traditional medicines our forefathers and mothers used wouldn’t work in our favour today!
Prevention is better than a cure
If you knew you something untoward was going to befall you tomorrow, what would you do today?
You would most likely do everything in your power to prevent the event from occurring in the first place, right?
Of course you would!
So if we know that by using a natural alternative regularly, we’ll most likely be able to prevent a sickness from occurring (or reducing the severity of it if it did ever hit), why wouldn’t we adopt it today?
Especially if you knew the side effects of using a natural remedy are nil or close to zero.
Many of the treatments in Ayurveda are preventative rather than a cure which makes their effects and uses more potent when taken regularly throughout your lifespan.
Considering this, it’s no wonder then that in India yoga and Ayurveda are quite intricately interwoven; both provide a powerful combo in keeping sickness at bay!
Ayurveda is more like a way of life rather than a medicine which makes it so easy to adopt, it uses what nature has given us so bountifully – various yummy spices, plants, and herbs that can either be ingested or used topically for a variety of issues that may face us.
Many of the items used traditionally in Ayurveda are today referred to as superfoods. This would probably have alarmed (and no doubt humoured) our early practitioners of Ayurveda because these were a daily addition to many diets and lifestyles, never thought of as superfoods before – just a normal part of life!
The idea of superfoods is a little superficial because the very concept of Ayurveda is one of consistency throughout life; turmeric, for example, should be part of your diet not for a year or two (or until the next superfood comes along) but throughout life as this is the only way to reap the full benefits.
For example, turmeric is known for its many anti-inflammatory properties and it is also a great natural way to ward off infections in the chest and gums, but when consumed regularly. The effects are long-lasting but need to be built up, for example, what is often referred to in the West as Golden Milk needs to be consumed daily (in Ayurveda, it is actually suggested to be twice daily) to ensure that arthritis and other inflammatory ailments do not strike at a later age.
The beauty of ancient medicine is that it relies on nature and therefore has minimal to no side effects, starting young is the way to go to ensure a long, healthy and robust life.
Though starting at a later stage in life isn’t detrimental, the effects aren’t as wonderful as they would be if we start when we are younger. Turmeric cannot cure inflammation or arthritis necessarily, however, it is suggested that taking this natural supplement from a young age when we are fitter and healthier may possibly stop us from ever developing this debilitating disease later in life.
Ayurveda isn’t the only ancient medicine
Traditional Chinese medicines, homeopathy, holistic healing, even ancient western medicine using herbs and essential oils have all got their well-deserved place in the history of medicine.
Nature is a formidable source of power; in fact, it is often aligned to our own innate source of energy and positive vibes.
Though many disregard natural healing as a ‘whole lot of hocus pocus’, the reality is much different!
What puts many people off from using natural healing options is that they are rarely quick-fix solutions, natural remedies take time, and require immense patience, faith, positive thinking and vibes, determination and perseverance from the patient before we can reap the full benefits of their magic.
Unlike allopathic medicines, natural remedies often attack the source of the ailment and then work towards the outside, this takes time and often it is weeks (and sometimes months depending on the nature of the ailment) before we can start to see positive results.
Nature is a formidable source of power; in fact, it is often aligned to our own innate source of energy and positive vibes.
Wonder natural herbs such as Olive Leaf, Echinacea, Rosemary, Ginseng, Neem and more are amazing in their natural healing attributes. Our ancestors relied wholeheartedly on their surroundings and environment to heal them and their loved ones but they also trusted in her ability. Tied closely to borrowing from her to heal themselves was respecting her abilities, her place and most importantly, her space. Nuances modern day has unfortunately lost along the way of industrial revolutions, economies and man-made luxuries that cost our planet dearly.
Though Mother Nature provides us with an abundance of natural remedies, options and fixes, if we do not respect her importance, her place on this earth and her value, we will soon lose her wondrous healing abilities as well.
It is time that we look back to our ancestors for their knowledge and wisdom and combine it with the great medical strides we have made in more recent times.
We are not advocating for traditional medicine over its allopathic counterpart, however, we are suggesting that complete disregard for ancient forms of medicine are premature and egotistical. Blending the two is likely to be a wonderful and successful option for medicine into the future.
Ancient forms of medicine are excellent preventative measures while modern-day allopathic medicines are necessary to combat and indeed save lives today that may have not been saved in ancient times.
There’s a reason everyone relies on Grandma’s ancient cures, she is wise, knowing and experienced – just like Mother Nature.
Let’s not disregard her abilities, her wisdom and her love for all living beings who are lucky enough to live in the midst of her.
Do you have any amazing natural remedies that work for you?
Share them in the comments!