Maharshi Charak Ayurveda
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Ayurveda FAQ

Q 1. What is Ayurveda ?
Ans: Ayurveda is one of the great gifts of the sages of ancient India to mankind. It is one of the oldest scientific medical systems in the world, with a long record of clinical experience. The word “Ayu” means all aspects of life from birth to death. The word “Veda” means knowledge or learning. Hence Ayurveda indicates the science by which life in its totality is understood.

Q 2. Ayurveda is said to be eternal. Why?

Q 3. How is it different from modern medicine ?

Q 4. Where is the root of Ayurveda ?

Q 5. Why Ayurveda is unique then other system of medicine ?

Q 6. Which are the base texts of Ayurveda ?

Q 7. What is Charak Samhita ?

Q 8. What is Susruta Samhita ?

Q 9. What is Astanga Hridya ?

Q 10 How many & which are the specialization branches in Ayurveda ?
Ans: THE EIGHT BRANCHES OF AYURVEDA * Kaya Chikitsa (General medicine) * Shalya Tantra (Surgery) * Shalakya Tantra (Diseases of Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat) * Kaumarbhritya (Children diseases, obstetrics and Gynecology) * Agada Tantra (Toxicology) * Bhuta Vidya (Psychiatry) * Rasayana (Rejuvenation), and * Vajikarana (Aphrodisiac/sexology)

Q 11. What is the aim of Ayurveda ?
Ans: Ayurveda is the science of positive health and fulfillment in life. The aim of Ayurveda is threefold: * To achieve positive health for the individual * Protection of the masses * Ultimate liberation The last goal can be achieved by following regulations of daily conduct and by following strict seasonal regimens, so that one can be constantly healthy. Being continuously healthy is comparable to achieving ultimate liberation, as it involves the eradication of the factors that bring about suffering.

Q 12. What about Panchamahabhuta ?
Ans: Ancient Indian philosophy is of opinion that all materials, living or non-living are made of five fundamental elements called Panchamahabhutas, representing five fundamental categories of matter. These are: * Akasha (ether) * Vayu (air) * Teja (fire/energy) * Jala (water), and * Prithvi (earth) All material on this earth contains Panchamahabhutas in different proportion.

Q 13. What about Tri-Doshas (biological humors)?

Q 14. What about Dhatus (tissues)?
Ans: Our body is supported and sustained by seven Dhatus (basic tissues). Beside this, Dhatus have property to vitiate. Dosha and Dhatus have relation with each other in health and disease. In pathogenesis of disease these both play key role. Following are the seven Dhatus: i. Rasa (Plasma) ii. Rakta (Blood) iii. Mamsa (Muscle) iv. Meda (Adipose) v. Asthi (Bone) vi. Majja (Marrow) vii.Shukra (Reproductive tissues)

Q 15. What mean of Mala in ayurveda?

Q 16. What is the concept of Agni in Ayurveda?
Ans: Agni is considered as biological fire. In our body entire range of digestive and metabolic activities are performed by it. Ayurveda considers about thirteen types of 'Agnis'. 1. Jatharagni - It performs digestion of food and considered to govern other 'Agnis'. 2. Dhatvagni - Every Dhatu has a particular type of Agni, which is responsible for that for that particular tissue metabolism. These are seven in number. 3. Bhutagni - Each of the five Mahabhuta (elements) has a specific Agni, which is responsible for molecular metabolism.

Q 17. What is trigunas?

Q 18. What is Prakriti or Ayurvedic Body type?

Q 19. How many types of Prakriti or body type?
Ans: There are seven possible Prakriti (constitution) types – a) Vata Prakriti b) Pitta Prakriti c) Kapha Prakriti d) Vata – Pitta Prakriti e) Vata – Kapha Prakriti f) Pitta – Kapha Prakriti g) Tridosha Prakriti

Q 20. What are the symptoms of Vata prakriti (body type) person?

Q 21. What are the symptoms of Pitta prakriti (body type) person?

Q 22. What are the symptoms of Kapha prakriti (body type) person?

Q 23. What is the cause of health & diseases according Ayurveda?
Ans: The harmony and the balance of the Doshas, Dhatus, Malas and Agni in the body is the primary condition of the health. The equilibrium is maintained through a life in conformity with the laws of nature. A wrong behavior and food habit disturbs the harmony and lead to diseases.

Q 24. What are the methods of diagnosis in Ayurveda?
Ans: There are three main methods mentioned in Ayurveda for diagnosing the Dosha imbalance and disease process in a person. They are – 1. Darsana Pareeksha – By observing the patient’s physical signs and symptoms, Example – colour of skin, hair, eyes, behavior, body condition etc. 2. Prasna Preeksha – By asking minute questions regarding the imbalance of each Doshas. 3. Sparsana Pareeksha – By touching the patient. The pulse diagnosis, palpation, percussion and auscultation are included in this method.

Q 25. What is Pulse diagnosis in Ayurveda?

Q 26. What are the treatment methods in Ayurveda?
Ans: The treatment in Ayurveda can be classified broadly into two methods- 1. Shamana Chikitsa (Alleviating Therapy) 2. Sodhana Chikitsa (Purification Therapy)

Q 27. What is Shamana Chikitsa (Alleviating Therapy)?

Q 28. What is Sodhana Chikitsa (Purification Therapy)?

Q 29. What is Panchakarma?
Ans: Panchakarma is a Sanskrit word that means "five actions" or "five treatments". This science of purifying the body is an ancient branch of Ayurveda. Panchakarma is the cornerstone to Ayurvedic management of disease. Pancha Karma is the process, which gets to the root cause of the problem and re-establishes the essential balance of 'Tridosha' (three doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha) in body. Pancha Karma is not only good for alleviating disease but is also a useful tool in maintaining excellent health. Ayurveda advises undergoing Pancha Karma at the seasonal changes in order to clean the body and improve the digestion and metabolic processes.

Q 30. What is Pizhichil (Sarvanga dhara)?
Ans: Pizhichil is a process of massage therapy in this which 3-4 liters lukewarm herbal medicated oil is poured on the whole body continuously, followed by simultaneous massage. Ideal for retards the ageing process, arrests degeneration of the body cells and relieving muscular pain, joint stiffness. Effective for Arthritis, Rheumatic diseases, Sexual weakness, Nervous weakness, and Nervous disorders. Improves Vigor and Vitality.

Q 31. Can you suggest a safe remedy for STRESS without any side effects?
Ans:STRESS CARE capsules are a research product to combat stress related disease. It's unique composition of Ashwagandha, Jatamansi, Jyotismati and Brahmi not only gaurd against ill effects of stress, but also revitalises your body. It increases memory, strengthens the mind and helps to cope with exhaustion, overwork and fatigue. Take one capsule in the morning and one in the evening with water/milk.

Q 32. Are Ayurvedic medicines free of side effects?

Q 33. What is Yoga ?
Ans: Yoga originated thousand of years ago in India as a technique to help people achieve spiritual enlightenment. Today, people practice yoga to improve their physical, mental and spiritual well - being. Most forms of yoga involve physical postures, breathing exercises and meditation.

Q 34. How safe it is?
Ans: Practicing yoga is generally safe, but take it easy in your first few classes, there's no reason to push beyond your limits. Also, if you have back, knee, or other physical problems, gets the go-ahead from your doctor first, since some poses can aggravate injuries. And tell your teacher beforehand about any limitation or concerns you have, so he or she can help you with alternate or modified poses.

Q 35. What are the benefits of yoga?
Ans: Yoga strengthens and tones muscle, improves balance and flexibility and increases blood flow and vitality. It's also a great way to reduce stress. Researchers at Harvard Medical School found yoga lowers chemicals in the blood stream associated with anxiety and triggers other physiological relaxation responses, such as reducing muscle tension and lowering heart rate.

Q 36. Does it matter that I'm not very flexible?
Ans: Not at all, a good instructor can adapt the poses to fit any level of student. Over time, your flexibility will improve.

Q 37. How often do I need to practice yoga?
Ans: Practicing two to three times a week for 45 minutes to an hour is good goal to work towards. Another alternative is to practice 15 minutes every day. The more you practice, and then you feel more benefit.

Q 38. What is Abhyanga (Ayurvedic Massage)?
Ans: Abhyanga is a specialized whole body massages including head & face, performed by therapist using specific herbal oil selected according to the body type. The treatment brings about improved physical consistency, induces deep relaxation and is very beneficial for vigor and vitality. Massage is the most ancient technique for reliving pain, still a valid and thriving art in most region of India. Abhyanga is used to manipulate and correct dosha disorders, especially of the Vata kind; to cure orthopedic injuries; to relieve swollen tissues; and to promote regeneration of the tissues and organs, as well as the internal functioning of the body.

Q 39. What are the benefits of massage?
Ans: These are the benefits of Massage: - 1. Massage relieves stress and relaxes the mind, body and soul. 2. Massage releases trapped energy, pain, frustration and problems. 3. Massage helps relieve pain. 4. Massage increases blood flow. 5. Massage loosens muscle fibers, scars, and adhesions, increasing flexibility and strength. 6. Massage stimulates the release of brain chemicals that lift the mood and strengthens the immune system 7. Massage increases lymphatic circulation aiding in the elimination of toxins. 8. Massage speeds the delivery of nutrients to damaged tissue. 9. Massage strengthens the muscular contractions of the digestive system, which aids in the elimination of toxins. 10. Massage stimulates the body processes in a 100% non-invasive way to help prevent future health problems.

Q 40. What is Shirodhara?
Ans: Shirodhara is a titillating form of snehana treatment, whereby the oil or therapeutic substance methodically drips along a coarse thread onto the forehead. A metal or clay vessel, the dhara patra, is suspended directly above the forehead. The oil or other fluid is poured into the pot, and then seeps through a hole in the bottom of the pot and slides down a 4 –inch long thread, half of which hangs through the hole. The drops of oil from the thread drip directly onto the subject’s third eye, or center of the forehead.

Q 41. What is Kavalgraha & Gandusha (gargling treatments)?
Ans: There are two main Ayurvedic gargling procedures; Kavalgraha, in which a comfortable amount of fluid is retained in the mouth for gargling purposes, and gandusha, in which the mouth is completely filled with fluid thereby rendering gargling impossible.

Q 42. What is Akshitarpana?
Ans: Akshitarpana is the process of keeping medicated ghee in the eye orbit cavity. This therapy improves the eyesight, heals stiffness, pain and roughness around the eyes. It strengthens the eyes and protects them against the sun’s sharp rays, as well as for IT professionals, which works more in front of computer screen. Akshitarpana is also very helpful for serious eye disorders, such as glaucoma, ulcerated cornea, or inflamed lesions surrounding the eyes.

Q 43. What is karna purana (oiling the ears)?
Ans: Karna purana is the process in which warm oil or medicated liquid are poured in to the ears. This treatment is usually performed annually during either the autumn or the late spring season. Specific problems for which karna purana is administered include excess earwax, earache, headache, neck pain, and jaw pain. This treatment is also used for most Vata disorders relating to bodily aches and pains.

Q 44. What is Udavartana?
Ans: Udavartana is a dry massage starts with deep manipulation of the muscles to reduce obesity and improve mobility of the joints. This is followed by a scrub massage with ayurvedic herbs to remove dead cells and leave the skin glowing. Rhythmic strokes towards the heart promote blood circulation. The therapy ends with 15 minutes of herbal steam.