Ayurveda is a science that indicates appropriate and inappropriate, contented or sorrowful styles of living, which are favourable or unfavourable for a healthy life, as well as the span of life itself. Preservation of a healthy life-style is the prime philosophy of Ayurveda, which originated about 5,000 years ago in India, and is accepted as the world’s oldest scientific system of medicine. Written documents on Ayurvedic medicine date back 3,200 years.  According to Susrutha (1000 BC),  an individual is considered healthy when their physiognomy is balanced, their digestion and metabolism are functioning well, their  tissues and excretory functions are normal, and their senses, mind, and soul are in a state of constant inner contentment’. Ayurveda helps to achieve these states of constant inner contentment through massage, detoxification, diet, medicines, meditation, and yoga. Ayurveda is a complete system of medicine which can treat a range of ailments from digestive, skin, skeletal and neurological disorders, to depression and anxiety. It is the ultimate holistic panacea for the mind, body and spirit.

HISTORY

The knowledge of Ayurveda was transferred from  celestial to the world. Ayurveda was developed from most precious scriptures, known as Vedas. These are Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva vedas. Ayurveda is considered as the upaveda of Atharvaveda, which contains the principles  of healing. During 500-600 B.C., Charaka, Susrutha, Agasthya,  and Kashyapa, among others,  highly intellectual sages, took from the vedas the references to all illness, diseases, drugs or medicines and developed  the samhitas.  Ancient physicians embraced the knowledge of Ayurveda from these samhitas and applied them to the prevention as well as the cure of illnesses. Ayurveda is not only an ancient Indian wisdom of preventive health and healing, but is also a philosophy of living.

IMPORTANCE AND BENEFITS OF AYURVEDIC MASSAGE

 According to Charaka, the body comprises 107 marma, or vital points, which are said to link our consciousness with our physical bodies. Massage of these points unblocks energies and triggers healing. Susruta described the effects of rubbing with characteristic emphasis upon the  pitta value;  “Rubbing and friction tend to dilate the orifice of the (superficial) ducts and increase the temperature of the skin.  Rubbing specifically improves the complexion of females and gives a lovely appearance, cleanliness, beauty, and suppleness to the female form.  Friction pacifies vata, cures itches, rashes, and eruptions.”  Therefore, by the principle of similarity and dissimilarity the heat generated in this fashion balances the cold vata and also helps liquefy impurities which block physiology.  The relaxation of tissues brought about in this manner helps promote elimination of impurities, and the motion of rubbing provides the impetus for moving the impurities to the channels of elimination.

Metabolism at the time of exercise and physical activity releases free radicals and toxins that build up at the marma points, causing fatigue. Massage of neuro-musculo-skeletal (marma) joints keeps tissues free from toxins, releasing fatigue, toning and relaxing muscles, and ensures that nutrients are directed to the right channels. When waste and toxins are removed, the body’s organs and tissues return to their normal levels of function and we are rewarded with calm and restful alertness. Medicated oils are used in Ayurvedic massages, sesame oil being a common base. Oils enhance the detoxification, and the loosening and elimination process, while also softening and lubricating the tissues. These actions result in stress release.

SIGNIFICANCE OF AYURVEDA IN EUROPE AS IT IS ANOOPA DESA

Three  basic humors on which  this science of healing depends is vata, pitta and kapha.  Ayurveda, the ancient system of healing from India, has captured the attention and imagination of the West.  People from the West and other parts of the world visit India to learn this healing science and to undergo treatments.  Ayurveda classifies the land [ desa ] into three based on the priority of tridoshas. Seasonal variations can affect people in different ways.  In some seasons there are chances of communicable diseases,  or in others,  arthritic complaints will increase, and this varies from land to land according to seasons.  For example Europe is classified as anoopa desa.  In this desa the predominance of kapha is there and the climate is cold.  There will be association of vata  along with kapha. So there will be a high prevalence of joint related diseases,  respiratory problems like sinusitis, allergic bronchitis, and seasonally affected disorders such as depression. Here Ayurveda guides us through an ideal lifestyle favourable for this land type, through suitable treatments, behaviour, and diet, and following these guidelines will lead to a disease-free life.