What is Ayurveda?

Ayu is defined as a composite material wherein five bhutas (ether air fire water & earth) that constitute body senses, mind and soul are combined together and unified. Veda is defined as knowledge or science. Hence Ayurveda is the science of life. This system of medicine was propounded with the sole objective of maintaining a disease free society for the achievement of the higher ideals of dharma and moksha and has constantly evolved, enriched and is getting refined through thousands of years of observation and research by acharyas.
As a clinically time tested system of healthcare and science it has been well documented with systematically classified information at every level of its presentation, though language or methodology might differ.

Are there any specializations in Ayurveda?

There are 8 basic specializations in Ayurveda -

• Kaya Chikitsa : General Medicine
• Kaumara Bhritya : Pediatrics, Obstretetics & Gynaecology
• Graha Chikitsa : Psychiatry
• Shalakya Tantra :  ENT and Ophthalmology
• Shalya Tantra : Surgery and allied specialties
• Agada Tantra  : Toxicology
• Jaraa Chikitsa :  Geriatrics
• Vajikarana  : Reproductive sciences 

Who is an Ayurvedacharya?
Ayurvedacharya is a doctor who is academically qualified in Ayurveda and this title is awarded by the concerned University under the Government of India’s regulatory authority CCIM - Central Council of Indian Medicine. The CCIM Issues registration under AYUSH, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, on completion of the 5 ½ years  B.A.M.S - Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery course inclusive of one year of internship.  Every Ayurvedacharya is registered at the central register with a valid registration number.

For more information visit : 
http://www.indianmedicine.nic.in/           and         
http://www.ccimindia.org/curriculum_ayurveda_ug_syllbus_2009.html

What about other healers in India who prescribe herbs and Ayurvedic medicine?
Any other individual who prescribes Ayurveda medicine but does not have a valid register number of the Government of India registration under CCIM is unqualified and is practicing Ayurveda in India illegally.

How do you compare Ayurveda medicines with other systems?
Medicines in Ayurveda are derived from herbal, animal, metallic bhasmas and or minerals that are adequately detoxified and enriched and made safe for human use without any adverse effects in therapeutic doses.

Can the concepts of modern medicine and Ayurveda be integrated?
In the contemporary practice of Clinical Ayurveda, it is very common to find situations where the patients are on both sets of remedies to make up for the deficits of the individual systems if any.

How do you compare Clinical Ayurveda and Western Methods?
There are many similarities and dissimilarities between the principles and practice of Ayurveda and Western methods. Supplementations are common to both sciences, there is principal difference in treating autoimmune disorders where the western system chooses immune suppression, pain killers etc but Ayurveda achieves the same through the unique concept of Shodhana-Panchakarma where the body rids itself of toxins without having to compromise on the immune system.

What are the methods involved in an Ayurveda based treatment?
Suggested lifestyle changes, customized dietary recommendations, prescribed internal medications, external therapies, Shodhana Panchakarma or detoxification procedures, Yoga and Meditation are some of the methods involved in an Ayurveda based treatment regimen. 

Can the progress or otherwise be monitored?
Monitoring can be done by clinical observation, patient feedback, biochemical lab tests, culture, microscopic tests, endoscopic methods, radiology, and all other conventionally available diagnostic methods.

Where is Clinical Ayurveda most recommended?
Ayurveda has solutions to indefinite number of diseases and syndromes, even to those where an immediate diagnosis is not possible in modern terms. This is because, principles of health and disease are based on the TriDoshic concept, an unparalleled link between mind, body and matter.  Yet, for the sake of convenience, a few of the diseases that respond well to Ayurvedic protocols are listed below.

How does an external therapy help the healing or influence the deep tissues inside?
Ayurveda therapeutics are a complex outcome of pressure, temperature, technique and disease to Prakruti specific medications and the use of therapeutics gives appreciable clinical changes that can be reconfirmed by diagnostics like EMG-NCV or Radiology etc.