Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
Frequently Asked Questions
10. What is Ayurvedic medicine?
Ayurveda (pronounced "eye-yer-vay-duh"), which means "the science of life" in Sanskrit, originated in India and evolved there over thousands of years. Its goal is to prevent disease and promote well-being by bringing the body, mind, and spirit into balance. Ayurveda also proposes treatments for specific health problems, whether they are physical or mental.
Three types of energy called doshas are believed to form important characteristics of each person's body constitution and to control bodily activities. Imbalances in the doshas, which can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, diet, too little or too much mental or physical exertion, the weather, chemicals, or germs, can lead to illness.
Ayurvedic medicine relies on therapies such as diet, exercise, meditation, herbs, cleanses, massage, exposure to sunlight, and controlled breathing. The goals of treatment are to eliminate impurities, reduce symptoms, reduce worry, increase harmony in a person's life and help increase resistance to disease.
