Sri Lankan Ayurvedic Medicine
•Ayurveda or Ayurvedic Medicine is a system of traditional medicine in India
• It’s more than 5000 years old
• It is one of the oldest medical systems in the world
Ayurveda
“Ayur = Life” “Veda = Science or Knowledge”
“The science of life”
“Living” “Non-Living”
PhysicalSpiritual
Emotional
The ancient rulers of Sri Lanka, as devout followers of Buddha naturally gave high priority to the physical wellbeing of the
people.
Fire
Space
Air Earth
Water
These elements combine in the human body to form three life forces
or energies, called doshas.
• Vata dosha (space and air)• Pitta dosha (fire and water)• Kapha dosha (water and earth)
Vata dosha • Vata dosha (space and air) is thought to be the most powerful of all three doshas.• It also controls your:
MindBreathingBlood flowAbility to get rid of body waste through the intestines
Things that can disrupt this dosha are:
• Eating dry fruit• Eating too soon after a previous meal• Fear• Grief• Staying up too late
Pitta dosha The pitta dosha (fire and water) controls:
• Digestion• Ability to break down foods (metabolism)• Certain hormones linked to appetite
Things that can disrupt this dosha are:
• Eating sour foods• Eating spicy foods• Fatigue• Spending too much time in the sun
Kapha dosha The Kapha dosha (water and earth) controls:
• Muscle growth• Body strength and stability• Weight• Immune system
Things that can disrupt this dosha are:
• Daytime sleeping• Eating after your stomach is full• Eating or drinking items that have too much salt or water• Eating too many sweet foods• Greed
When going to treat,The exam will include:
• Checking your weight• Examination of urine and stools• Feeling your pulse (each dosha theoretically creates a unique
pulse)• Listening to your speech and voice• Looking at your eyes, teeth, tongue, and skin
Ayurvedic Treatments
Treatment depends on your unique prakriti, your primary dosha, and the balance
between all three of them.
Five types of Treatments• Virechana (Purgation)• Vamana (Emesis)• Snehavasthi (Medicated Oil Enema)• Kashayavasti (medicated decoction
enema)• Nasya (Nasal Administration)
Abhyanga Synchronized Oil massage
Drasvasveda Herbal Bath
Ushmasveda Herbal Steam Bath
Decoctions
Benefits Of Ayurveda
1. Helps Lower Stress and Anxiety2. Lowers Blood Pressure and Cholesterol3. Helps with Recovery from Injuries and Illnesses4. Promotes a Nutrient-Dense, Antioxidant-Rich
Diet5. Can Help with Weight Loss or Maintenance6. Lowers Inflammation7. Helps with Hormonal Balance
Steps that have been taken to develop Ayurvedic Medicine in Sri Lanka (1) The establishment of the Department of Ayurveda.
(2) The establishment of the Bandaranaike Ayurvedic Research Institute.
(3) The expansion of the Central Ayurvedic Hospital, Borella and setting up of several hospital and dispensaries in different parts of the Island.
• (4) Increase in the number of dispensaries run by the local authorities and payment of enhanced financial grant.
• (5) The establishment of the Ayurvedic Drugs Corporation
• (6) Upgrading the Ayurveda College as an affiliated body of the University of Colombo
• (7) The establishment of Boards for compiling the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia and indigenous prescriptions
Medical tourism
Medical tourism refers to the travel of people to another country for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment in that country.