Indian medicine: holistic healing through Ayurveda

by Elissa Sonnenberg

Ayurveda Caroline Petrichs yoga class inspired her to learn about the 5,000-year-old Indian medical system of Ayurveda (Sanskrit for "knowledge of life"). She felt an immediate affinity for how the approach encompassed physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

One of many 21st century patients turning to alternative medicine to create balance in their lives, Petrich believes Ayurveda offers a common sense approach to understanding how diet, exercise, and lifestyle affect health.

For Petrich, Ayurveda means practicing yoga, eating less spicy foods, sipping ginger tea when she has a cold, and stocking up on aloe vera juice to cool her during the summer months. Since she started using Ayurvedic principles, she says shes more in tune with her bodys needs.

In ancient India, Ayurveda followers emphasized preventive medicine and the importance of natural healing. Today the same principles apply, says David Simon, MD, medical director of the Chopra Center for Well-Being. He explains that the spiritual science of Ayurveda encompasses both conventional Western medicine and alternative medical practices, as it focuses on the mind-body connection.

Because each individual is unique, Ayurveda means different things for different people. "One size doesnt fit all," explains Dr. Simon.

Ayurvedic physician Vasant Lad agrees. "Ayurveda is the medicine of the individual," says Dr. Lad, founder of the Ayurvedic Institute in New Mexico. Because in its broadest definition, Ayurveda encompasses procedures as diverse as acupuncture and herbal anticancer therapies, Dr. Lad calls it "the mother of all healing systems."

In Ayurveda, each persons needs are initially determined by what Dr. Simon calls "mind-body type." He says everyone can be characterized using the three basic Ayurveda types as guides:

Kapha (earth): Earthy people tend to be heavyset, easygoing and nurturing, says Dr. Simon. They also tend to have problems with sinus congestion and diabetes.

Vata (wind): These individuals may be lightweight, creative and enthusiastic, but also more prone to anxiety, insomnia, and even dry skin.

Pitta (fire): This type is known for strength, both in intellect and health. Usually, these medium-built, muscular types have a fiery nature that can lead to heartburn, high blood pressure, and irritability.

Everybody has all three of these energies in their minds and bodies," says Dr. Simon. Individual types can include one, two, or even all three of the basic types, typically in varying degrees.

As individuals learn more about their mind-body connection, they can adjust their diet and exercise routines, as well as use herbal supplements to achieve better health, Dr. Simon maintains.

Though many modern Ayurveda followers like Caroline Petrich use Ayurvedas philosophy primarily for making diet and exercise decisions, others seek a more direct kind of healing. Ayurvedic practitioners often use complex mixtures of thousands of plant products to treat health issues such as high blood pressure and Parkinsons disease, as well as promote longevity and enhance memory.

A few recent studies have applied modern research standards to these ancient herbal remedies and shown some correlations between specific botanical properties and clinical outcomes. For example, a study of 13 Parkinsons patients published in the June 15, 2000 issue of the Journal of the Neurological Sciences showed "significant improvement in activities of daily living" after an 84-day course of Ayurvedic treatment. This study was quite small and did not include an adequate comparison group. Larger studies are needed to confirm the findings.

In addition, the National Institute on Aging has documented the biological impact of specific Ayurvedic plants at a molecular level. They have not, however, determined that these plants have an effect on aging or human disease processes.

Still, the lack of hard scientific evidence about Ayurveda makes many doctors skeptical. "It hasnt been validated," says Steven Barrett, MD, chairman of Quackwatch, Inc. "Wheres the data—" he asks.

For his part, Dr. Lad welcomes the opportunity for modern research into Ayurveda. "I respect modern medical doctors and their questions," says Dr. Lad. "We have to answer their logic based on their parameters."

Even Ayurvedas most ardent supporters are quick to point out that its not the answer to every illness. "I think it is quite dangerous just to follow Ayurveda blindly," says Dr. Lad.

He says Ayurvedas strength lies in its capacity to prevent illness and promote health. While modern medical intervention is essential for dealing with acute emergencies, once those emergencies pass, Ayurvedic techniques can serve as helpful complementary therapies. "Ayurveda is not a quick fix," Dr. Lad says.

Dr. Simon agrees that there is a time and place for both pharmaceutical and natural interventions, and believes that finding a balance between the two makes sense for individuals and their environments. "If there is a natural approach, it ultimately will allow us to use the medications, that are very powerful tools, more wisely."