This is a multi-fold treatment involving herbal remedies, dietary and life style regimen, yoga, pranayama and meditation. Herbal formula can specifically address an individual’s prakrati (constitution), vikrati (distortions in the constitution) and symptamatology.
Ayurveda gives prime importance to pathya vyavastha (prescription of diet and activity), which comprises indications and contraindications with respect to diet, activity, habits and emotional status. This is done to enhance the effect of therapeutic measures and to impede the pathogenetic processes. Emphasis on DOs and DON’Ts of diet are laid with the aim to stimulate agni (to optimize digestion and assimilation of food) and nidan parivarjan (avoidance of disease causing and aggravating factors in diet and life style).
Ayurvedic methods of restoring health involve two aspects – Panchakarma (periodic detoxification) and Rasayana (the building up of immune system).
Panchakarma : In panchakarma there is a strong emphasis on detoxification, which is rooted in the idea that toxins (ama) are the cause of most disorders and their early detection and elimination can prevent disorders. This method of cleansing involves therapies such as emetic therapy (vamana), purgation (virechana), herbal enemas (vasti), blood purification (rakta – moksha) and nasal administration of herbal oils (nasya). This is advised to balance doshas and eliminate excesses.
Rasayana : It involves rejuvenation and enhances the body’s inherent ability to function through special herbal preparations and yogic practices. It rejuvenates both body and mind.
Every individual has a core centre, which is Divine. The vibrations, good or bad, which one receives from the inner as well as the outer environments, are all received and processed in this core. The blessings that one receives too add to this same area of one’s existence. A blessing is a benevolent intention and causes a movement in prana. When it arises in a calm and content mind, this movement of prana is very forceful.
Ayurveda has recommended faith in the divine as a cure for many diseases. Devotion, prayers, invoking blessings, vows, worships, fasts, penance and chanting – all these bring about healing.
Sattvavajaya is the psychotherapeutic system of Ayurveda or the non- pharmacological approach of Ayurveda to improve one’s prana(energy). Charaka, who had visualized the role that psychological factors play in diseases, recommends Sattvavajaya as an objective approach for modification of mental functioning based on ayurvedic principles. Presently in modern medical science too, mental health is gaining significance as an important aspect of one’s total health or composite well-being. As a psychotherapeutic system Sattvavajaya needs help, guidance and interference of an expert vaidya ( Ayurvedic practitioner) and uses intervention tools like ashvasana (assurance), samsucana (suggestion), pratyayayana (persuation), nirdesana (guidance), prasiksana (education and training), parimarjana (modification), sammohana (hypnosis), visamvedana (desensitization), rechana (catharsis) and samtrapti (satisfaction).