Monday, April 14, 2008

Ayurvedic Medicine and Amalaki

Amalaki, found in Zrii juice is one of the most powerful fruits in ayurvedic medicine. It is used in numerous remedies and tonics because of its strong rejuvenating nature and other well documented properties. So what is ayurvedic medicine and why has it found its way into the science of Zrii juice? What are the basic principles of this ancient way of improving health and wellness?

Ayurvedic medicine is rooted in ayurveda and means “the science of life.” This science takes a holistic approach to healing and is believed to have an answer for almost all indications. The knowledge of this type of medicine goes back to ancient India and is said to have been passed down through a succession of deities and finally given to human beings. A modern interest in ayurveda was awoken in the 70s especially after the eastern traditions of meditation and yoga started to become popular. The basic principles of ayurvedic medicine state that the energies of a person have to be balanced. This is achieved through diet, herbs and the right lifestyle. Ayurveda also states that we are each classified into one of three types or “doshas” and the dominant “dosha” in each of us rules. The three doshas are Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata is to do with air, ether and space and the movement of the body and mind. Pitta is fire and water and governs heat, metabolism and sensory activities. Kapha involves earth and water. In ayurvedic medicine the entire universe is composed of air, fire, water, earth and ether. Although an imbalance in the universe is certainly undesirable, an imbalance of these components in a human body is what causes disease. Each dosha is related to a certain body and personality type and predisposition to certain diseases. Treatment is therefore focused in restoring balance in doshas and different plants, herbs and fruits are said to naturally restore this balance.

Ayurvedic medicine involves the use of about 5000 natural products. Widely recognized as the oldest form of healthcare in the world, ayurveda has a handful of naturally found plants, herbs or fruits that stand out head and shoulders above the rest in terms of uses. Amalaki is one such fruit. Its uses are versatile and numerous and it is particularly effective for Pitta or fire imbalances. Amalaki however cannot be easily eaten due to its bitter taste and is therefore more palatable as a main ingredient in the form of Zrii juice. It reduces Pitta to balance it out with Vata and Kapha. In its normal state, Pitta allows for good digestion, visual perception, controlled heat, intelligence and determination. It is found mainly in the small intestine, stomach, sweat, blood and the eyes. Amalaki is said to be good for “Ojas” or good digestion which leads to overall good health.

While ayurvedic medicine is concerned with preventing disease and promoting wellness, it is also focused on treating conditions after they have occurred in the body. The goal of the use of Amalaki in ayurveda is to reduce symptoms and worry, eliminate impurities and eliminate physical and psychological problems.

Thursday, April 3, 2008

Ayurveda Revealed

Amalaki, the main component that is found in Zrii juice is one of the most well known fruits in ayurveda. The word ayurveda can be broken down into ayur and veda which mean “life” and “system of knowledge” respectively. Ayurveda therefore means knowledge of life. In this context, life is said to be a combination of everything. It encompasses the body, mind and soul. Ayurveda is said to be concerned with how to live a balanced healthy life in terms of mental, physical, social and spiritual harmony. This ancient system of total care is practiced by millions of people in India currently. So what are the origins, beliefs and applications of ayurveda?

According to tradition, Brahma the Indian creator God, awoke to recreate the universe and received this knowledge of ayurveda through a divine revelation. He passed the knowledge on to Daksha Prajapati as a song and this was further passed down a chain of deities before finally reaching the first human, Bharadvaja. He taught ayurveda to a group of sages who in turn taught different aspects of this to their students. Early texts of ayurveda include Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita and Sushrut Samhita compiled around 1000 BCE. Sushrut Samhita has teachings and surgical techniques ranging in topics like obstetrics, orthopaedics and opthalmology. These texts are rooted in the philosophy of the Vedas which are now said to be the oldest sacred texts still used anywhere. Vedic texts are said to have all been “revealed” in that they were not composed by human beings. Scripts revealing ayurvedic knowledge were initially written on perishable materials and then later written on stone and copper sheets.

Although many in Hinduism adopted western medicine during the times of European rule, ayurveda was always considered the science of life. It reemerged in the 70s and hospitals, doctors, practitioners and ayurvedic herbal remedies are now widely available throughout India. The science of ayurveda is now being introduced through one of its most powerful fruits, amalaki found in Zrii juice. Amalaki is perhaps the most important plant to introduce to the world in the form of Zrii juice because it is helpful in combating conditions that span the eight branches of ayurveda. The eight branches of ayurveda are 1)internal medicine, 2) surgery, 3) ears, eyes, nose and throat, 4) pediatrics, 5) toxicology 6) purification of the genetic organs 7) health and longevity 8) spiritual healing and psychiatry. The science of life is applied in all these forms to improve and treat all aspects of the whole being.

In ayurveda internal medicine concerns the diagnosis and treatment of conditions in adults that affect internal organs especially diseases that result in different illnesses at the same time. Toxicology refers to conditions caused by chemicals for example poisoning. In ayurveda spiritual healing and psychiatry are very important and are said to be connected to health and longevity. This science aims to heal the whole being and not just the physical. Amalaki found in Zrii juice is a super fruit because it cures several conditions within each of the eight branches of ayurveda.

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