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.