What is Ayurveda?

“This earth is the honey of all beings, and all beings are the honey of this earth.”

Ayurveda is an indigenous medical system that originated in India over 5000 years ago. The word itself derives from two words ayur meaning life and veda which translates to knowledge. As a holistic method of healthcare, it considers the physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing of an individual and offers an individualised approach to their care.

It is a time-tested, comprehensive system of traditional medicine that prevents and manages disease, focuses on quality and longevity of life svāsthya, offers supportive practices such as seasonal guidelines ritucharyā and daily routines dinacharyā, and aims to restore the natural, harmonious balance of the human experience within the macrocosm of nature.

Rather than a science created in labs and medical schools this ancient practice is believed to be Shashwata (eternal) derived from universal, divine knowledge that was channelled through sages in deep meditation. For centuries, this wisdom was shared as an oral tradition, spoken in the world's oldest language, Sanskrit in the form of slokas or lyrical verse. Believed to be based on four eminent compilations of knowledge, the Vedas including Yajur Veda, Rig Veda, Sam Veda, and Atharva Veda, written between 1500 and 500 BCE, the Ayurveda treatise was subsequently transcribed in authoritative texts including the Charaka Samhita (between 100 BCE - 200 BCE), surgical textbook Sushruta Samhita (6th

Originally Ayurveda was practised as a comprehensive medical system covering every facet of healthcare from midwifery, psychology, surgery, even animal medicine. This remained true for millennia until British colonial rule in the 1800s suppressed the practice by closing Ayurvedic clinics and dispensaries and banning educational facilities.

Although early attitudes had been tolerant and even appreciative of traditional and ‘folk medicines,’ scientific scepticism in the nineteenth century meant Ayurveda became marginalised as a primitive and outdated system in comparison to allopathic schools of thought. Though the Ayurvedic community fought back, and its practice was eventually reinstated; we still see enduring colonial bias limiting its methodologies today.

Even as it remains a preferred approach to treating disease over allopathic solutions in many Eastern regions especially in rural India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, Ayurveda continues to face challenges in gaining recognition in the West.

Within the context of Western biomedical paradigms, for many Westerners, this holistic practice remains elusive, misunderstood and is even considered a pseudoscience by sceptics. With the dominance of the pharmaceutical industry, the ‘quick fix’ mentality of treatment prioritising the remedy of symptoms over cause, the Western preoccupation with material culture, outer aesthetics over inner wellbeing, the lack of understanding and fundamental disconnection from ourselves as part of a bigger picture, of nature as a whole, Ayurveda faces criticism, scepticism and strict regulations.

Despite these challenges, Ayurveda offers unique opportunities for collaboration and integration within the Western healthcare landscape. In recent decades Ayurvedic clinics, private practices and wellness centres have proliferated across Western countries offering a range of services from traditional panchakarma, guided cleanses and retreats. Celebrity endorsements and social media influencers have boosted visibility and we have seen a significant rise in the uptake of vocational Ayurveda practitioner courses.

Moreover, Ayurvedic products including herbal supplements, oils and skincare formulations have become increasingly accessible through mainstream retailers and online platforms so that Ayurveda as a concept is gradually becoming more commonplace.

We’ll see what the future holds for this comprehensive system. As more people turn to natural therapies and alternative solutions to their own healthcare, the landscape is a good base for Ayurevda to take root.

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