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AYURVEDA
CONCEPTS |
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The Body of Matrix
Life in Ayurveda is conceived
as the union of body, senses, mind and soul. The
living man is a conglomeration of three humours
(Vata, Pitta &Kapha), seven basic tissues
(Rasa, Rakta, Mansa, Meda, Asthi, Majja &
Shukra) and the waste products of the body such
as faeces, urine and sweat. Thus the total body
matrix comprises of the humours, the tissues and
the waste products of the body. The growth and
decay of this body matrix and its constituents
revolve around food, which gets processed into
humours, tissues and wastes. Ingestion, digestion,
absorption, assimilation and metabolism of food
have an interplay in health and disease which
are significantly affected by psychological mechanisms
as well as by bio- fire (Agni).
Panchamabhuthas
According to Ayurveda
all objects in the universe including human body
are composed of five basic elements (Panchamahabhutas)
namely, earth, water, fire, air and vacuum (ether).
There is a balanced condensation of these elements
in different proportions to suit the needs and requirements
of different structures and functions of the body
matrix and its parts. The growth and development
of the body matrix depends on its nutrition, i.e.
on food. The food, in turn, is composed of the above
five elements, which replenish or nourish the like
elements of the body after the action of bio-fire
(Agni). The tissues of the body are the structural
whereas humours are physiological entities, derived
from different combinations and permutations of
Panchamahabhutas.
Thridoshas
The
theory of 'Panchbhootha'- five elements- described
above explains only the materialistic manifestations
but not the functional aspects of life. In order
to explain the functional aspects of life, in
Ayurveda, the theory of "Thridosha"
are three functional principles or bio-energies
which maintains
Health
& Sickness
 Health
or sickness depends on the presence or absence
of a balanced state of the total body matrix including
the balance between its different constituents.
Both the intrinsic and extrinsic factors can cause
disturbance in the natural equilibrium giving
rise to disease. This loss of equilibrium can
happen by dietary indiscrimination, undesirable
habits and non-observance of rules of healthy
living. Seasonal
abnormalities, improper exercise or erratic application
of sense organs and incompatible actions of the
body and mind can also result in creating disturbance
of the existing normal balance. The treatment
consists of restoring the balance of disturbed
body-mind matrix through regulating diet, correcting
life-routine and behaviour, administration of
drugs and resorting to preventive Panchakarma
and Rasayana therapy.
Diagnosis
 In
Ayuveda diagnosis is always done of the patient
as a whole. The physician takes a careful note
of the patient's internal physiological characteristics
and mental disposition. He also studies such other
factors as the affected bodily tissues, humours,
the site at which the disease is located,
patient's resistance and vitality, his daily
routine, dietary habits, the gravity of clinical
conditions, condition of digestion and details
of personal, social, economic and environmental
situation of the patient.
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Digestive Disorders 
