The Ayurveda system is holistic and individualized. Its objective is to maintain and promote health, prevent diseases, and cure illnesses. The treatment approach involves avoiding the causative factors that are responsible for the imbalance in the body’s constituents by using Panchakarma techniques, medicines, suitable diet, activity and regimen for restoring balance and strengthening the body mechanism to prevent or minimize recurrence of the disease. 

First, the physicians use their knowledge and wisdom to analyse the individual and their sufferings using their technical skills with humility. Based on the condition and the symptoms, a diet and medication plan is administered to the individual to treat the cause of the condition in a manner that there be no recurrence. Then, skilled, intelligent, and sympathetic nursing personnel treat the patient with utmost care and professionalism. During the entire course of treatment, it is essential for the patient to be cooperative, obedient, and follow the instructions of the physician. 

Types of Ayurvedic Treatment

Treatment of the disease can be classified into 6 types according to Ayurveda:

• • Purification treatment (Shodhana therapy) – Involves internal and external purification. It aims at removing causative factors leading to physiological and psychological diseases. It is helpful for neurological disorders, Musculo-skeletal disease conditions, respiratory diseases, degenerative diseases, etc. 
  • Palliative treatment (Shamana therapy) – It involves restoration of the vitiated life forces (Doshas). This treatment uses palliatives and sedatives to achieve balance of one humor without creating imbalance in the other humors. It also encourages exercising, sun exposure, and fresh air for maximal benefits. 
  • Prescription of Diet and Activity (Pathya Vyavastha) – This treatment helps enhance the effects of therapeutic measures and impedes pathogenic processes. The aim is to stimulate the digestive fire (agni) and optimize digestion and assimilation of food in order to ensure strength of the tissues.  
  • Avoidance of Disease-causing and Aggravating factors (Nidan Parivarjan) – The aim of this treatment is to avoid the known disease-causing factors in the diet and lifestyle of the patient. It also encompasses the idea to refrain from further aggravating the disease.
  • Psychotherapy (Satvavajaya) – It is concerned with treating mental disturbances. It includes restraining the mind from desires for unwholesome objects and cultivation of courage, memory, and concentration. 
• Using Immunomodulators and Rejuvenating medicines (Rasayana therapy) – Deals with promotion of strength and vitality. It prevents premature wear and tear of body tissues and promotes overall health.

Side Effects of Ayurveda

The Ayurvedic medical practice can be confusing and difficult to follow. Based on your body’s constitution, you will be advised to consume and avoid certain foods to maintain balance in your body. However, this Ayurvedic diet can be overly restrictive and less flexible which makes it difficult to be followed. As the diet is based on the body constitution, choosing an incorrect constitution and suggesting the wrong diet can negatively impact your body and affect the result you want to achieve.

Ayurveda is an effective and safe method for treating various health ailments like life style disorders, degenerative conditions, neuromuscular disorders, allergies, etc. it can generally be taken with allopathic medicine unless recommended otherwise, hence, consultation and advice of a professional is required before starting Ayurvedic medicines for health conditions.