Types of Treatment
The treatment of disease can be broadly classified as:
- Shodhana therapy (Purification Treatment)
- Shamana therapy (Palliative Treatment)
- Pathya Vyavastha (Prescription of diet and activity)
- Nidan Parivarjan (Avoidance of disease-causing and aggravating factors)
- Satvavajaya (Psychotherapy)
- Rasayana therapy (use of immunomodulators and rejuvenation medicines)
(a) Shodhana treatment aims to remove the causative factors of somatic and psychosomatic diseases. The process involves both internal and external purification, which includes practices like Panchkarma (medically induced emesis, purgation, oil enema, decoction enema, and nasal administration of medicines), as well as pre-Panchkarma procedures involving external and internal oleation and induced sweating. Panchkarma treatment focuses on metabolic management, offering both purificatory effects and therapeutic benefits. This treatment is particularly helpful in neurological disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, certain vascular or neurovascular states, respiratory diseases, metabolic disorders, and degenerative disorders.
(b) Shamana therapy involves the suppression of vitiated humors (doshas). The process by which disturbed humors subside or return to normal without creating an imbalance in other humors is known as shamana. This treatment is achieved through the use of appetizers, digestives, exercise, and exposure to sun, fresh air, etc. Palliatives and sedatives are used in this form of treatment.
(c) Pathya Vyavastha involves indications and contraindications regarding diet, activity, habits, and emotional status. The goal is to enhance the effects of therapeutic measures and impede pathogenetic processes. Emphasis is placed on dietary do's and don'ts to stimulate Agni and optimize food digestion and assimilation to ensure tissue strength.
(d) Nidan Parivarjan aims to avoid known disease-causing factors in the patient's diet and lifestyle, and it also involves refraining from precipitating or aggravating factors of the disease.
(e) Satvavajaya primarily concerns mental disturbances, including restraining the mind from desires for unwholesome objects and cultivating courage, memory, and concentration. The study of psychology and psychiatry has been extensively developed in Ayurveda and offers a wide range of approaches in the treatment of mental disorders.
(f) Rasayana therapy focuses on promoting strength and vitality. It is credited with the promotion of the integrity of the body matrix, memory, intelligence, immunity against disease, preservation of youth, luster, complexion, and maintaining the optimum strength of the body and senses. Rasayana therapy plays a role in preventing premature wear and tear of body tissues and promoting the overall health of an individual.
Diet and Ayurvedic Treatment
In Ayurveda, the regulation of diet as therapy is of great importance. This is because it views the human body as the product of food. An individual's mental and spiritual development, as well as their temperament, are influenced by the quality of food they consume. Food in the human body is first transformed into chyle or Rasa, and subsequent processes convert it into blood, muscle, fat, bone, bone marrow, reproductive elements, and ojas. Thus, food is fundamental to all metabolic transformations and life activities. Lack of nutrients in food or improper food transformation can lead to various disease conditions.