When diet is wrong, medicine is of no use. When diet is correct, medicine is of no need. – Ayurvedic Proverb
Ayurveda is often referred to as the “sister” science of Yoga; it was born and raised in India around 5,000 years ago. It is a Sanskrit term, which means “knowledge of life” and it is essentially a traditional system of medicine.
Its main foundation states that mother nature provides all the ingredients needed for every living being to heal itself; which ultimately translates into what we already know: food is our best medicine. It recommends herbs, oils, and good physical and mental habits to heal our bodies and minds. This system classifies everything: our mind, body, emotions, nature, seasons, food, daytime, energy, etc., and it comprises a mix of five basic elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether. Based on that, each person has a unique combination of these elements outlining a pre- set constitution, which is determined at the specific moment of conception and remains in place throughout one’s life. This will be your “dosha.”
Ayurveda says that every disease comes from an unbalance of a dosha. To heal ourselves, we need to balance our constitution through the food we ingest, specific herbs, natural therapies, and healthy habits. It treats the person, not the disease, and goes to the root of the problem instead of trying only to make the symptom disappear. It makes you take responsibility for your personal health and provides you with knowledge and tools to learn about yourself, and what is good or bad for you, according to your own unique constitution.
