What is Ayurvedic Medicine?

A Chat with Usha Khosla, C.A.S., P.K.S., M.D.

With Avanti Vadivelu

Q.  We hear a lot about Ayurveda when speaking of natural healing.  What is the primary theory behind Ayurvedic medicine?  

A. Ayurveda is the medical aspect of the spiritual science of life called Vedic science. This science has been divined by the ancient rishis of India in their deep meditation. Rishis were the scientists of the cosmic world. They realized human being is not only a lump of material body it  has complete psycho spiritual system. He can only be healed or cured if whole system is taken in to consideration rather than treating his physical machine. Science of Ayurveda is rooted in Rig Veda with some parts in Ajur and Atharveda. For its cosmology, philosophy and psychology it relies upon the great Vedic spiritual science called "SANKHYA". Sankhya literally means "system of enumeration" from its delineation of prime cosmic principles. No body can understand and practice Ayurveda without this knowledge of SAMKHYA.

For your knowledge…In the United States, Ayurveda is considered complementary and alternative medicine (CAM).  Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine, and alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine.

Q. How does Ayurvedic medicine differ from mainstream western medicine? 

A. The western medical system is purely based on symptomatic relief. Disease is considered as pathology in the organs or systems. If the test results are normal, then the person is considered healthy and no prescription is needed, even if he still has symptoms.

Ayurveda says disease is in disharmony with the nature. Health, wellness and happiness are in harmony with nature. Disharmony creates internal imbalance in Doshas. That imbalance is the root cause of disease. Doshas are prime energies made up of five basic elements of the universe whose description is available in Sankhya philosophy.  We correct the imbalances by utilizing various tools of this science, which include food, lifestyle, herbs, yoga, breathing, sounds, detoxification programs and so forth.

Ayurveda says each individual is a unique person - so food and herbs given to one person is different than the food and herbs given to the next person. Because we have different types of minds and thought processes, we are at different levels of spiritual awakenings, thus the individualized diagnoses.  Western medical systems may give the same weight reduction pill, or blood pressure regulating pill, or antidepressant to different patients.

So, in Ayurvedic medicine we analyze the person to detect which Dosha is out of balance and which area of his life is not in tune with nature. It is like painting a picture of the person. Then we correct the imbalance.

For your knowledge… According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), in Ayurveda, herbs, metals, massage, and other products and techniques are used with the intent of cleansing the body and restoring balance. Some of these products may be harmful when used on their own or when used with conventional medicines. 

Q. Besides obtaining an undergraduate education, what other training is required to become an Ayurvedic practioner?

A. Ayurveda is not licensed nor are there fixed regulations in the U.S. Here in the U.S., we are called Ayurvedic practitioners and not doctors. There are at least 40-60 Ayurvedic training schools in U.S.  They follow their own courses and curriculum.

I myself went to California College of Ayurveda. That school has been in existence for more than 12 years. I completed the whole schooling in 2 years including internship. Now they have upgraded the school, adding more hours to their program.

For your knowledge…Be aware that not every practitioner offering services or treatments called "Ayurvedic" has been trained in an Ayurvedic medical school. The NIH states that services offered at spas and salons may fall into this category. 
 

Q.  Ayurvedic medicine seems to have a lot of benefits.  What, in your opinion, is the best part about it? 

A. To treat the patient holistically with most natural, safe, gentle and with heart to heart communication is the best aspect of Ayurveda. There are no invasive tests involved, so it is neither expansive nor damaging to the patient. We use our five senses to diagnose and treat the patient. Pulse and tongue are mirrors to detect what is going on in the patient as far as mind and consciousness is concerned. There is lot of emphasis on mind and consciousness in Ayurveda while these are missing in western medicine.

Patients are getting a simple, cost effective, safe system of treatment with practically no side effects. They are feeling less stressed, more energetic, balanced and relaxed. What more does a modern man want? 

Q.  What do you believe are the biggest hurdles facing the field of Ayurvedic medicine in the Western world? 

A. Very few people know what Ayurveda is about. Ayurvedic practitioners don’t have that kind of money to run a big public awareness campaign. It is not recognized by insurance so those people who want to get Ayurvedic treatment just back up since insurance will not pay for it. The western medical system and pharmaceuticals are very big lobbyists, so it’s hard to compete.  Also, Ayurvedic science cannot be tested in labs so there are no scientific proof of treatment. This is a time tested science. Herbs work at the level of PRANA (life force).  There is no way to test prana in a lab. If they try to get an active ingredient in a lab they damage the whole prana. So the effect and efficacy might not be the same as what we get from the whole part of the plant.  That means results might not be similar. Prana is same as consciousness, which cannot be measured.  The same goes for doshas.  Doshas can be felt and they can be monitored, but it cannot be tested in a lab.

For your knowledge… Some Ayurvedic professional organizations are collaborating to develop licensing requirements.  Further, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine(NCCAM) supports Ayurvedic studies.  For example, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine tested the effects of guggul lipid on high cholesterol.

Q. Would you consider Ayurvedic medicine a type of alternative medicine? 

A. I would be really delighted if people consider this as alternative system of medicine.

Actually it should be main stream medicine. It can take care of all sorts of health related issues.

Q. What would you like to see happen in the future with Ayurvedic medicine in the Western world? 

1. Hopefully this science gets its due recognition. I would like to see this field recognized as mainstream medicine. Healthcare costs are touching the sky.  The U.S. government should pick up such safe, simple and cost effective systems that do not involve any expensive equipment and testing. The U.S. should promote this Eastern system of healing and health that deals with lifestyle changes, food and exercise. Why put so many chemicals in our bodies while safe and natural systems like Ayurveda are available to mankind. Western medicine has its own role for serious, life threatening conditions, but for chronic ongoing problems Ayurveda is the answer. This eliminates seeds of the disease while Western medicine prunes the branches and leaves only. Humanity wants to get rid of the disease from its roots. With the addition of Ayurveda in this society people will be much more happy, stress free and relaxed. Their work efficiency is likely to increase with the improvement of wellness and a stress free mind.

For your knowledge… According to the NIH, the Ayurvedic practitioner will develop a treatment plan and may work with people who know the patient well and can help. This helps the patient feel emotionally supported and comforted, which is considered important in Ayurveda.  Ayurveda treatments may use several approaches, often more than one at a time.

Q. If someone wants to find an Ayurvedic practioner, how should they do so?   

A. Various associations for practitioner directory 

California College of Ayurveda 

Bazaar of India 

Diamond way Ayurveda 

Light on Ayurveda 

The Ayurvedic institute

Ayurvedic Institute of America

Maharishi Ayurveda

National Ayurvedic Medical Association

Mount Madonna Ayurveda Institute.

Wise Earth and many more 

Q. Please tell us a little more about your background.

 A. I practiced western medicine for 22 years. I always used to feel that there was something missing in the western system. For example, why would a patient who has normal investigations persistently say they felt weak, tired, fatigued, fearful, and have lack of sleep. I used to feel his mind is not healthy. But how could I link his disease with his mind?  And what could I do to make him cheerful and energetic?  I had no clue. When I moved to the U.S. 15 years ago I watched Dr. Deepak Chopra and Sh Sh Ravi Shankar giving a talk on mind and how our body is the projection of our mind. They spoke about how our mind needs to be treated along with our body in order to establish the balance in life. This is what I was looking for. This idea took me to Ayurvedic School. I got answers to all of the questions I had for 22 years. Ayurveda is complete health care system. There are no missing links. Each and every problem of life can be addressed on the base of Ayurveda. Spirit and mind seems to be missing in the Western system.

Q. How can one get in contact with you for more information on Ayurvedic medicine or for treatment?

A. Contact info:

Ayurveda Healing Center
Usha Khosla
29621 Mission Blvd.
Hayward, CA  94544
510-727-9891
www.ayurvedahealingcenter.com
ushakhosla@hotmail.com