Ayurved - A different perspective

[Ganesh V V]

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Background
I am not an ayurved 'doctor' or 'specialist'. I am describing the foundational principles of Ayurved as I understand it.

Ayur-ved simply means knowledge of life. Ayurved is based on the principle of 'design pattern' as seen in the evolution of matter and biological beings in the Universe.

Simply put, Ayurved sees a human body as a matrix of information processing systems and their responses, metabolic systems and their responses and modifiers of informational and metabolic pathways. I see it as a 'frame-work' for analyzing human body rather than as a separate system of medicine. With sufficient research, it could be used as a frame-work in modern medicine too. The framework of Ayurveda stems from a design pattern seen in evolution of Universe.

Let me be clear, that this understanding of Ayurveda, the definitions of Pitta, vAta and Kapha are what I gleam from the design pattern in the evolution of the Universe.
Observer drives evolution
Universe seems to have a design pattern, which I explained in my book titled 'Inspiring Palita Perspectives ' (1).

The core component of the design pattern is the presence of an 'observer' that is not part of evolution, but drives the evolution. If Universe is visualized as a Yajna, an evolutionary sacrifice, then the pancha prana are

1. Dark energy that expands the Universe without contributing to the energy in the Universe,
2. Dark matter that fills the space not interacting with matter
3. Catalysts that drive the evolution of Chemical reactions
4. Enzymes that drive the evolution of biological beings
5. Witnessing/observing thought or manas-sAksi' that drives the evolution of human beings

Out of this pancha maha yajna in which five evolutionary sacrifices at different stages propel the evolution, pancha-bhutas evolve. The pancha-bhutas are the five different states of matter. They are the solid, liquid, gas, plasma and bose-einstein condensate states of matter which lay the foundation for earth, water, air, fire and inter-stellar space. The pancha-pranas of biological beings follow the pancha-bhutas design pattern of matter.
The tri-gunas in Universe
Yet another component of the design pattern is the manifestation of Sattva, Rajas and Tamo guna in every evolution. Sattva is micro-states of matter, entropy, processing information content or knowledge. Any system can be described in terms of its 'entropy' or information content. Rajas is energy, enthalpy or chemical or metabolic reactions. Any system can also be described in terms of its 'enthalpy'. These are two different but equivalent perspectives of the same system. Lack or reduction of entropy/sattva or energy/enthalpy is Tamas. Tamas counteracts sattva and rajas.

Any (thermodynamic) system can be described in terms of its 'enthalpy'/sattva or energy/rajas content. Universe is a thermodynamic system. Biological beings including human beings are thermodynamic systems. Our thoughts are also, in a way, manifestation of thermodynamic systems.

When energy is added to thermodynamic system, it can become a system with more energy or more entropy or a mix of the two. In particular when energy with similar micro-states as that of a system is added to it, the resultant system is more energetic. When energy with different micro-states as that of a system is added to it, the resultant system has more entropy.

The same happens with our thoughts also. When we surround ourselves with same information content or same set of people, when we fail to challenge our own thoughts and ideas, when we reinforce the same ideas, we become passionate or energetic. This is rajasic. When we surround ourselves with different sets of people, when we challenge our own thoughts and ideas, when we receive and process different set of ideas, we become knowledgeable and logical. This is sattvic.
The tri-gunas of human body
Our human body, being a thermodynamic system, follows a similar design pattern. Human body is said to have pancha-prAna or five metabolic organ systems (1). They are

1. Signaling and Hormonal system (udAna)
2. Circulatory system (vyAna)
3. Digestive system (samAna)
4. Excretory system (Apana)
5. Respiratory system (prAna)

The pancha-prAnas (five organ systems) have the manifestation of the tri-gunas in all of them. In every organ system, there is sattva, the information processing that co-ordinates activities. In every organ ssytem there is rajas, the metabolism that drives energy. In every organ system, there is tamas, the modifier or controller of sattva and rajas.

These tri-gunas in human body are called Pitta (sattva/information processing), Kapha (Rajas/Metabolism) and vAta (modification of information processing and metabolism).

In human beings, Pitta is information processing (both electrical signaling and chemical messaging) in every organ system. Kapha is the metabolic processing associated with every organ system. vAta is the controller of information processing and metabolic systems by immune systems, informational and metabolic pathways.


In a disease-less human body, the information processing, metabolism and the control mechanisms of these are in a 'balance' in every organ system. A 'diseased' state occurs when either information processing or metabolism or control of these gets affected in any organ system.
pitta
Our information processing systems are electrical signaling system of nervous system and chemical messaging harmonal systems. The health of these systems and their responses is denoted by 'Pitta'.

These systems are connected to all organ systems of our body. That is every organ system of our body is doing information processing or connected to information processing systems (electrical signaling and chemical messaging) or has 'pitta'.

'Pitta' disorders are actually informational pathway disorders (at times marked by increase in bile) and could lead to schizophrenia and other mental disorders. Hence Pitta is associated with 'madness' also.

'Gut' is often called the second brain with a neuronal system of its own that is connected to brain.

Gut controls memory, mood-swings etc due to its interaction with nervous system. Gut health itself is regulated by the bile production done by liver. Hence pitta is associated with bile production is often used to denote the health of information processing systems.
kapha
Our body's metabolising systems primarily use oxygen carried in the blood for their chemical reactions. The health of the metabolizing systems and their responses is denoted by 'Kapha'.

Every organ system of our body does some metabolic activities. Hence every organ system can be said to have 'kapha'.

When metabolic activities of excretory systems or circulatory systems do not function well, 'phelgm' gets built up in lungs. When respiratory system does not function well, then also lungs get affected with phlegm. Hence Kapha is associated with phlegm and used to indicate the health of metabolic systems.
vAta
The informational processing and metabolic systems of our body are controlled by our immune system responses and the health of informational or metabolic pathways. The health of the immune system and the informational and metabolic pathways is denoted by vAta.

Every organ system is connected to immune system. They are also connected to metabolism and information processing in some way. Hence every organ system is said to have 'vAta.

vAta is generally associated with 'gas' because immune system response can trigger bacterial infections or imbalances which result in 'gas' in stomach. vAta is also associated with joint pains (rheumatoid athritis) or even skin issues because auto-immune disorders lead to these kind of troubles. vAta is also associated with paralysis because paralysis occurs due to blockages in the informational or metabolic pathways.
The 'wholistic' Ayurveda
Every organ system of our body has information processing, metabolism and control of these two. Hence every organ has Pitta, Kapha and vAta. When they co-ordinate well and are 'controlled' well they are said to be in 'balance'.

In the 'wholistic' Ayurveda, it is recognized that every organ system has information processing, metabolism and pathways/immune systems that control the information processing and metabolism. Hence the effort has to be understand what's going wrong in the organ system in these three dimensions and address them.
External manifestations of pitta, vAta and kapha
Either we are not there in the state of 'wholistic' Ayurveda or we lost a whole lot of knowledge in it. What is practised currently is by understanding the external manifestations of pitta, vAta and kapha.

For eg., when a virus or any foreign body attack happens on our organ systems, the immune system responds or the vAta is put to imbalance. But then the immune system often over-responds depending on the multiplication of foreign body. The response of immune system can drown the lungs and kidney cannot excrete out at the same rate as which the lungs are getting drowned with fluids. Thus the metabolic pathways go into imbalance and 'kapha' is also trigged.

Similarly when circulatory system is not functioning well (heart not functioning well), then the metabolic pathway is blocked or vAta is put to imbalance. This results in kidney not functioning well and the result is phlegm gets accumulated in lungs, thus triggering kapha.

Overeating foods such as meat, cheese, milk, saturated fats could lead to more bile production and harm the gut lining. This lead to vAta, the blockages in information pathways as gut neurons are affected. In turn this could cause mood-swings, memory loss and cognitive disabilities. Thus vAta leads to Pitta. Reversely food rich in unsaturated fatty acids or those that promote gut-health (probiotic like curd) can improve memory, emotional responses and behaviors. Thus a reduced vAta leads to a better Pitta.

Sleeplessness, Mental exhaustion modify the information processing (nervous and hormonal) systems (pitta) and trigger more bile production to digest foods to compensate for the lack of rest to gut. Such hormonal or signaling disorders can also lead to decrease in production of bile and hence not breaking down of lipids in the gut. This in turn can blocks the informational pathways from the gut causing mood-swings and loss of memory capabilities. Thus pitta can lead to vAta.

For eg., rheumatoid arthritis or many skin problems like psoriasis are due to auto-immune disorders. Immune system being the modifier of informational processing and metabolic systems get diseased or over respond on their own in these cases resulting in inflammation of the joints or dry-skin. Thus vAta is put to imbalance. Thus vAta can lead to joint pains or psoriasis kind of disorders.
Monitoring the pitta, vAta and kapha
The monitoring of pitta, vata and kapha are currently done based on the external manifestations as described above.

Pitta is monitored by estimating/understanding the bile production or gut health, sleep patterns and mental performance. Kapha is monitored by the health of lungs, performance of the excretory systems. vAta is monitored by the identifying metabolic and informational pathway blockages as indicated by performance of muscles and joints and immune disorders as indicated by disorders of skin or gas in stomach.

Plant or animal products that are rich in vitamins, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory manage 'vAta' by promoting better immunity and clearing up blocks in metabolic pathways.

Plant or animal products that help manage better gut health, sleep or mental health manage 'pitta' by promoting better information processing capabilities.

Plant or animal products that help manage better excretion or circulation manage 'kapha' by promoting better metabolism.
Challenges in Ayurvedic framework
These are the challenges for ayurvedic framework as I see it.

1. I see Ayurveda as an integral part of the overall vedic literature. Since the vedic literature itself is poorly understood, Ayurveda is also poorly understood.
2. There is also no central body that promotes standardization of Ayurvedic principles. Hence no standard definitions of Pitta, vAta and Kapha exists across ayurvedic physicians, as far as I know.
3. While what we know of 'ayurveda' is only through the external manifestations of pitta, vata and kapha, in-depth of understanding, alignment and standardization of these principles through research studies in the light of modern medicine, can lead to usage of this framework in modern medicine also.
4. Knowledge of what plant and animal products work, how and why they work for different diseases, is not well understood. Knowledge of these products have been carried over for generations and we have not invested in modern research enough to understand them better.
5. Understanding the symptoms of a patient requires a lot of intelligence and in-depth understanding of how organ systems work, which may be lacking in several self-taught ayurvedic physicians today.

References
1. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082LMSJSL

When there are many challanges in Ayurvedic are still in progress, i do not why to promote their products?

 

[usaiyer]

The Ayurveda prescription by Ramdev's and others ,are n't they based on the fact that certain kind of ingredients can boost the immunity system against Piita,Vata and Kapa.They are based on symptoms
of an ailment which can be one of three above and time tested herbs can restore the patient to normalcy. We know the use of Suuku,Milagu and Thippili for our household normal ailments of
cold ,cough or fever which are normally caused due to aberration of P.Vand K in our body system.
Are there clinical trials in Aurveda like we have in Allopathy?
Renuka's observation about the intelligence of the Virus is interesting,Virologists can probe deeply
into this.Assuming that the virus is not developed in the Wuhan labs.,it could have come from the
wet market there and perhaps from bats as some people suspect.Perhaps we humans being unintelligent have upset the balance in nature ,esp . without knowing how it will affect our coexisting members like the virus in the larger microbiological systems. This points to increasing our empathy to
other living organisms around us, whether visible or invisible.

 

[thebigthinkg]

The Vimana sthana of Caraka samhita, the Janapada dvamsaniya chapter details so comprehensively with diseases that perish (dwamsam) the whole communities (janapada).

Let's look at what this chapter actually states

1. FIrst it talks of preparatory measures. It says physicians should be ready to face such diseases apriori with sufficient storage of herbs that will be required as during the time of diseases it is not possible. Physicians should have collected these herbs much much before the time of these diseases.

2. Then it explains why though people differ in their constitution get affected by the same disease at the same time. It says there are two major divisions here. One is 'daiva'/'divine' reasons and another is purusha-kara or human created

3. It says any excessive climatic conditions (which are common to all populations) affects the 'vAta' (which I interpret as modifiers/immune systems). Basically any excessive climatic conditions reduce the immune functioning of whole populations.

4. Any common resources that people access like water, if it is polluted by animals, birds, land, air etc cause diseases that ravish communities.

5. A specific region infested by excessive insects, birds, rodents, beasts, birds, flies etc etc affect whole communities. Regions that are dry, dusty, darkness, impacted by meteorites, earthquakes, thunderbolts etc etc cause such diseases.

6. Seasons that exhibit excessive characteristics cause such diseases

Yet, the impact is in the order of Seasons, regions, water and air.

7. But if we have stocked medicines, no worries in all these cases. Those who are destined 'not to die' will survive by herbs, five-karmas, by social-service provided by bramacharis and bramachrins.

8. The root-cause of large-scale change in seasons, regions, water and air is primarily adharma, which is caused by our own deeds/karma and errors we cause by our own prajna/consciousness (intellectual errors).

When heads of countries, regions, states exceed in their adharma over their people or when people deviate from dharma, when lobha, krodha, moha exceed and people are killed in large-scale by weapons, these diseases happen.

When rAksas acquire power to destroy people. when sages undergo harm and curse people, due to reduction in life-span in every yuga, untimely deaths by community ravishing diseases increase.

9. Yet, the untimely deaths can be avoided (pursha-kara can mitigate daiva causes). Like a vehicle can get destroyed not due to wear and tear, but by heavy load, uneven/no proper road, breaking of wheel, defects in wheel or driver, separation of locking hook, accident or not greased properly. a human body gets destroyed untimely because of heavy load (overeating), improper postures, excessive habits, suppressed urges, wrong companions, not proper body maintenance etc.

That is while diseases are ravaging communities, individuals can still survive that onslaught if they cater to these.

10. These diseases manifest with 'jwara' or 'fever'. In Ayurveda there is a principle that dravya of opposite characteristics is given expressed characteristics of body. But for fever, hot water is given (not cold water). The reason is fever is manifestation of toxins in the body gaining upper hand (immune system being overtaken), becoming colder/less reacting in that sense, hot water accelerates digestion, improves immune systems/bacterial imbalances etc.

So hot water is the best medicine in these times. But remember this requires people to have followed pancha-karma, as stated earlier.

11. For mild diseases, laghana or having light intakes is enough (along with hot-water).
For moderate diseases, laghana-pachana, having light and hot intakes is needed.
For severe cases dosa avasecana, which is treating with medicinal liquids is needed. Like to address overflowing lake/river, canals are breached, these make liquids in body overflow and control the disease.

Extremely severe cases are not treatable. They are whose muscle, strength, blood is depleted, those who show fatalistic signs or known to have other diseases cannot be treated for community ravaging diseases.

A physician who treats such cases is said to commit pApa.

12. Performing actions in the way of knowledge, eliminating all inauspicious actions is needed.

Generally in land which has trees that survive on less water and hotter have lower diseases. This is called jangla desa. Land which are colder with trees that need more water to survive from land have more diseases. This is called anupa desa. A region that has all these in balance is ordinary region. Community ravishing diseases vary according to these regions.

 

[kamu]

Yes.Ayurveda drugs has side effects.

Though ayurvedic drugs are mainly of herbal orgin,herbs of known toxicity are also used after necessary purification. Castor,Datura,Strychnos etc are a few to mention.Many of such herbs contains potent alkaloids and glycosides which has neurological and cardiac toxicity.Un-monitored use/long term self medication of Arishtas and asavas (eg.Dasamoolarishta/Abhayarishta) has toxic effects on liver causing alcohol induced liver diseases.While these were some of the side effects of purified drugs further,non- standardised and poorly manufactured drugs may also contain toxic levels of Arsenic and Lead that can cause damage to kidneys.

Drugs of mineral origin has to be used with extreme caution.Even highly toxic mercurial preperations are used.Unless it is highly purified,which is rather difficult,it can cause irreversible damage to kidneys.A good physician will prescribe those medicines only when the disease is in a terminal stage and there are no better options available. Remember that Mineral drugs are classified ayurvedic drugs and must be used only by the prescription of a qualified ayurvedic professional.

So it is highly advisable to consult a qualified ayurvedic physician before taking any of those herbal medicines or organic supplements.

Do Ayurveda medicines have side effects?

Answer (1 of 30): Of Course, Yes. To treat my dermatographic utricaria, I was suggested Ayurveda as an alternate medicine since there was no medicine available in allopathy. I was scared of it at first and checked the internet whether it has any side effects but the internet is so full of fake ...

www.quora.com

Totally agree - self medication [ of any drug formulation, whether allopathic, ayurvedic, or homeopathic] should not only be avoided but ,[ if you ask me] be banned . Stricter laws should be there and implemented to avoid over the counter prescriptions and loose availability of drugs.
Ayurvedic [as well as homeopathic] medicines are give after due consideration of the disease,the patient's likely response to the strength of the medicine given and other factors ; many people are under the illusion, that unlike allopathic drugs, the other two systems will not harm you at all [ " it may not help you , but it will not harm you !! "] - little realising that dosage, personal constituitions all matter in the response to the drug administered ; and the physician has spent years of study in learning what he /she is doing for the wellbeing of the patient
" Even Amrutam becomes a poison if in excess " is one of the tenets of Ayurvedam.

 

[sravna]

The Vimana sthana of Caraka samhita, the Janapada dvamsaniya chapter details so comprehensively with diseases that perish (dwamsam) the whole communities (janapada).

Let's look at what this chapter actually states

1. FIrst it talks of preparatory measures. It says physicians should be ready to face such diseases apriori with sufficient storage of herbs that will be required as during the time of diseases it is not possible. Physicians should have collected these herbs much much before the time of these diseases.

2. Then it explains why though people differ in their constitution get affected by the same disease at the same time. It says there are two major divisions here. One is 'daiva'/'divine' reasons and another is purusha-kara or human created

3. It says any excessive climatic conditions (which are common to all populations) affects the 'vAta' (which I interpret as modifiers/immune systems). Basically any excessive climatic conditions reduce the immune functioning of whole populations.

4. Any common resources that people access like water, if it is polluted by animals, birds, land, air etc cause diseases that ravish communities.

5. A specific region infested by excessive insects, birds, rodents, beasts, birds, flies etc etc affect whole communities. Regions that are dry, dusty, darkness, impacted by meteorites, earthquakes, thunderbolts etc etc cause such diseases.

6. Seasons that exhibit excessive characteristics cause such diseases

Yet, the impact is in the order of Seasons, regions, water and air.

7. But if we have stocked medicines, no worries in all these cases. Those who are destined 'not to die' will survive by herbs, five-karmas, by social-service provided by bramacharis and bramachrins.

8. The root-cause of large-scale change in seasons, regions, water and air is primarily adharma, which is caused by our own deeds/karma and errors we cause by our own prajna/consciousness (intellectual errors).

When heads of countries, regions, states exceed in their adharma over their people or when people deviate from dharma, when lobha, krodha, moha exceed and people are killed in large-scale by weapons, these diseases happen.

When rAksas acquire power to destroy people. when sages undergo harm and curse people, due to reduction in life-span in every yuga, untimely deaths by community ravishing diseases increase.

9. Yet, the untimely deaths can be avoided (pursha-kara can mitigate daiva causes). Like a vehicle can get destroyed not due to wear and tear, but by heavy load, uneven/no proper road, breaking of wheel, defects in wheel or driver, separation of locking hook, accident or not greased properly. a human body gets destroyed untimely because of heavy load (overeating), improper postures, excessive habits, suppressed urges, wrong companions, not proper body maintenance etc.

That is while diseases are ravaging communities, individuals can still survive that onslaught if they cater to these.

10. These diseases manifest with 'jwara' or 'fever'. In Ayurveda there is a principle that dravya of opposite characteristics is given expressed characteristics of body. But for fever, hot water is given (not cold water). The reason is fever is manifestation of toxins in the body gaining upper hand (immune system being overtaken), becoming colder/less reacting in that sense, hot water accelerates digestion, improves immune systems/bacterial imbalances etc.

So hot water is the best medicine in these times. But remember this requires people to have followed pancha-karma, as stated earlier.

11. For mild diseases, laghana or having light intakes is enough (along with hot-water).
For moderate diseases, laghana-pachana, having light and hot intakes is needed.
For severe cases dosa avasecana, which is treating with medicinal liquids is needed. Like to address overflowing lake/river, canals are breached, these make liquids in body overflow and control the disease.

Extremely severe cases are not treatable. They are whose muscle, strength, blood is depleted, those who show fatalistic signs or known to have other diseases cannot be treated for community ravaging diseases.

A physician who treats such cases is said to commit pApa.

12. Performing actions in the way of knowledge, eliminating all inauspicious actions is needed.

Generally in land which has trees that survive on less water and hotter have lower diseases. This is called jangla desa. Land which are colder with trees that need more water to survive from land have more diseases. This is called anupa desa. A region that has all these in balance is ordinary region. Community ravishing diseases vary according to these regions.

Thanks for the informative post Sir

 

[tbs]

hi

i read about ayurveda article recently published in HINDUISM TODAY....i think it is available in digital edition

too...pls check....i got magazine....

 

[usaiyer]

The Aurveda knowledge has been with from early times-exact period is difficult to analyse-and is one
of the indigenous medicine system and people were practicing it on a day to basis till the invasion was
made by other lab-based systems.
As a child I have seen 'Porpadagam" a tiny plant growing along side railway tracks was picked by my
father .a bunch of plants which when you rub on stone surface foams like shampoo and you apply on your head and bathe.He used to take his bath in Cauvery.The plant is known for its cooling effect.
I have a feeling we have not documented or followed up on those precious herbs to pass it on to
posterity .
Presently some of the aurvedic products like Pankaja Kasturi and similar other products in the market
I do not know if they are approved by ISI or ICMRor Aush Ministry.Some efforts are needed in this direction.