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How ayurvedic medicine can prevent illness
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Published on 10/09/24
(Updated on 08/01/25)
1,169

How ayurvedic medicine can prevent illness

Written by
Dr. Harsha Joy
Nangelil Ayurveda Medical College
Dr. Harsha Joy is a renowned Ayurvedic practitioner with a wealth of expertise in lifestyle consultation, skin and hair care, gynecology, and infertility treatments. With years of experience, she is dedicated to helping individuals achieve optimal health through a balanced approach rooted in Ayurveda's time-tested principles. Dr. Harsha has a unique ability to connect with her patients, offering personalized care plans that cater to individual needs, whether addressing hormonal imbalances, fertility concerns, or chronic skin and hair conditions. In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. Harsha is a core content creator in the field of Ayurveda, contributing extensively to educational platforms and medical literature. She is passionate about making Ayurvedic wisdom accessible to a broader audience, combining ancient knowledge with modern advancements to empower her clients on their wellness journeys. Her areas of interest include promoting women's health, managing lifestyle disorders, and addressing the root causes of skin and hair issues through natural, non-invasive therapies. Dr. Harsha’s holistic approach focuses on not just treating symptoms but addressing the underlying causes of imbalances, ensuring sustainable and long-lasting results. Her warm and empathetic nature, coupled with her deep expertise, has made her a sought-after consultant for those looking for natural, effective solutions to improve their quality of life. Whether you're seeking to enhance fertility, rejuvenate your skin and hair, or improve overall well-being, Dr. Harsha Joy offers a compassionate and knowledgeable pathway to achieving your health goals.
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At a size of $9.58 billion, the Indian wellness  industry is always demanding better healthcare infrastructure and novel medical techniques to meet its health needs. As Ayurveda originates from India, it has been the perfect system of preventive medicine for this market. Its impact is huge in India. Over 77% of Indian households trust and use Ayurvedic products to treat ailments and  maintain the family’s health. Not only is it effective in curing ailments but also promotes a healthier lifestyle, leaving patients feeling healthier than before. 

Due to rising demand, the Government of India, through the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), has been promoting research, education, and development of traditional medicine. As Ayurvedic techniques get more refined through novel research, they get better at providing relief to patients. Ayurveda aims to promote holistic health to the population and prevent the appearance of ailments in the first place rather than having to treat them as the patient suffers. Here, we explore how Ayurveda is preventive medicine that can help prevent illness. 

 

What is Preventative Medicine?

Preventive medicine is the practice of being proactive with healthcare to maintain the overall health of a patient to prevent illness or disability and allow them to lead a healthy lifestyle. It is practiced by government agencies, physicians, and individuals all over the world. Vaccinations are a typical example of preventive medicine used in the west.

Ayurveda on the other hand finds its basis in being a preventive system of medicine. Ayurveda believes in holistic health. It helps patients find a balance in their body, mind, and spirit to help them lead a healthy lifestyle. In this manner, when they are balanced, diseases are unable to take root in their body. This helps prevent disease and suffering. 

Many may find this notion challenging. You may wonder how to maintain a healthy life every day. After all, life today can be fast-paced and stressful, leading to many unhealthy habits. Moreover, many of us have a hard time abstaining from unhealthy habits. Thankfully, Ayurveda does not ask you to give up on the things you enjoy. Instead, it promotes balanced living. You can use a multitude of Ayurvedic practices including medicine, diets, exercise, and meditation to balance out the imbalances caused by stress, poor diets, and other habits that negatively influence your health.

 

Importance and Benefits of Preventative Medicine

Preventive medicine is vital for an individual’s health and well-being. As we age, the toll our lifestyle takes on our health starts to compound. Yet, we all want to be healthy and happy throughout our life, even in our old age. Preventive medicine plays a crucial role in this. By helping you lead a healthy lifestyle and follow better practices, preventive medicine can help you maintain good health every day. 

The effect of preventive medicine, used regularly, will start to show as you continue to age. While many suffer the effects of an unhealthy lifestyle, including disease, disability, or even death, people who make use of preventive medical knowledge continue to retain their health long after their peers. 

What’s more, preventive medicine also helps our society. Several nations around the world have a rapidly aging population. Projections show that 37.6% of Germany’s population will be over 60 years old by 2050. This means that in a few decades most countries will contain a large number of old or aging individuals who are more susceptible to diseases. This makes the prevention of disease spread a priority for maintaining societal health. Using preventive medicines will ensure a larger number of healthy individuals who will be responsible for barring the rampant spread of disease. 

Preventive medicine can also be extremely cost-effective. Every year, the US spends around $12,530 per person on healthcare. Preventive medicines that prevent or delay the onset of disease can help individuals stay safe from the crippling healthcare costs of curing diseases. It also safeguards you from the suffering of having to battle and recover from a debilitating illness. 

 

How Ayurveda can Prevent Illness

According to Ayurveda, diseases are caused due to imbalances in one’s Doshas. Doshas are mind-body elements that determine a person’s unique bodily constitution. The three Doshas are Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Our lifestyles affect the balance of doshas in our bodies. Stresses and poor lifestyles cause an imbalance of these Doshas leading to illness and suffering.

Ayurveda aims at bringing balance to one’s Doshas. ayurvedic practitioners study the individual to determine the constitution of the Doshas in their body. They then create a plan to balance the patient’s doshas. This can include techniques such as dietary changes, naturopathic medicine, yogic exercises, and detoxification treatments. Balancing the Doshas helps treat conditions the patient has been suffering from and also helps prevent the recurrence of these conditions and the appearance of other ailments. 

Once the patient’s doshas are balanced, the ayurvedic practitioner can focus on creating a plan for the patient to follow which will ensure that they remain focused on leading a healthy lifestyle and maintaining holistic health. 

 

Maintaining Holistic Health with Ayurveda

Ayurveda preaches holistic health. It uses practices like a healthy diet, naturopathic medicine, yoga, and meditation to ensure the health of the body, mind, and spirit. Ayurveda believes that health is indicated not only by a healthy body. The mind and soul of a patient are vital to maintaining holistic health. 

This can also be seen in ayurvedic medicines, which are usually herbal or naturopathic. An important feature of these medicines is that they do not cause side effects. As ayurvedic medicines don’t focus on treating symptoms of disease but on balancing the doshas. It is difficult for any side effects to arise once the doshas are balanced.

Yoga and Meditation are also important parts of Ayurveda as they keep the body healthy, the mind sharp and the spirit revitalized. It is important to integrate yoga and meditation into ayurvedic treatments as they form the spiritual and psychological basis for the treatments. While Ayurveda helps maintain balanced health, Yoga and Meditation align the mind and spirit with the process of healing. 

It is clear that to remain healthy using Ayurveda, it is vital to formulate a unique health plan using a variety of ayurvedic practices and techniques. This will help you achieve and maintain holistic health. However, as with any form of medicine, it can be dangerous to self-prescribe these treatments. Ayurvedic medicine can only help prevent illness if treatment is guided by experienced, knowledgeable practitioners. Alveda helps bring you, qualified ayurvedic practitioners, from various areas of expertise. Sign up for a consultation today, to create your unique ayurvedic health plan. Soon, you too can use preventative medicine for your holistic health!

This article is checked by the current qualified Dr. Harsha Joy and can be considered a reliable source of information for users of the site.

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Questions from users
What are some simple Ayurvedic practices I can start with to improve my daily health?
Abigail
59 days ago
Dr. Harsha Joy
59 days ago
Starting with some simple Ayurvedic practices can be both fun and rewarding! Try waking up early, before sunrise, it's said to align with your body's natural rhythm. Drink a glass of warm water on waking up to kickstart your digestive fire. Enjoy a lovingly prepared warm meal and try incorporating short evening walks or gentle yoga. Using mindfulness during your day can help you connect more deeply with yourself. If you're unsure, chatting with an Ayurvedic practitioner might be a great next step. Remember, small changes can make a big difference! 🍃
What are some specific Ayurvedic practices I could try to improve my overall wellness?
Aubrey
35 days ago
Dr. Harsha Joy
34 days ago
For holistic wellness, try some simple Ayurveda practices like starting your day with a glass of warm water with lemon to boost agni, or digestive fire. Also, try tongue scraping, it helps remove toxins. Eating according to your dosha can balance your inner energies, and regular abhyanga (oil massage) supports dhatus, or body tissues. Adjusting sleep routines to match the sun helps a lot too. It's all about finding balance!
How can I find a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner in my area to get started with this approach?
Charlotte
45 days ago
Dr. Harsha Joy
44 days ago
It's great that you're interested in Ayurveda! To find a good Ayurvedic practitioner nearby, you can start by asking for recommendations from friends or family who might've tried it. You can also search online directories or forums dedicated to Ayurvedic communities. Sometimes local health clinics or yoga centers might also have some leads. Hope that helps!
How can I find a qualified ayurvedic practitioner to help with balancing my Doshas?
Lincoln
40 days ago
Dr. Harsha Joy
39 days ago
Finding a good ayurvedic practitioner can be super important for balancing your doshas! You might start by looking for practitioners who are certified by recognized Ayurvedic organizations. You could also ask for recommendations from friends or search online for reviews. Make sure they're knowledgeable about ayurveda and focused on personalized care based on your unique constitution and dosha imbalances. If you're unsure, ask them about their approach to managing Vata, Pitta, and Kapha—see if it feels right for you!
What are some practical ways to balance my Doshas for better health?
Michael
30 days ago
Dr. Harsha Joy
29 days ago
Balancing your Doshas can be quite a journey, but here are a few easy steps you can start with. First, try adjusting your diet to suit your dominant dosha—for example, if you're Vata, go for warm, cooked foods and stay hydrated. Also, establish a daily routine with regular meals and sleep times. Yoga, meditation, and even regular self-oil massages can be super helpful too. It's all about finding a balance that works for you! If you're unsure about your dosha, it might be worth consulting an Ayurvedic practitioner to get a personalized plan.
What are some effective Ayurvedic practices to help balance doshas in daily life?
Aria
25 days ago
Dr. Harsha Joy
24 days ago
Yo, balancing doshas is pretty much like tuning your body's vibes. A consistent daily routine helps, eat foods that suit your dosha, and make time for yoga or meditation. Try starting the day with warm water or herbal tea, it kicks off digestion gently. And get enough rest! Kinda hard to pin it down exactly, but key's in consistency! 🌿💧🔥
How can I apply Ayurvedic principles to improve my lifestyle as I age?
Joshua
20 days ago
Dr. Harsha Joy
19 days ago
To apply Ayurveda as you age, focus on balancing your doshas—Vata, Pitta, Kapha—since these can change over time. Maintain your digestive fire (agni) with a diet fitting your constitution. Practice yoga and meditation regularly. Sleep well, stay hydrated, and adapt your routine to the seasons. Always listen to your body and visit an ayurvedic specialist for personalized advice. 😊
How can I find a qualified ayurvedic practitioner in my area to help with my health?
Aria
15 days ago
Dr. Harsha Joy
14 days ago
Finding a good Ayurvedic practitioner is key! Start with checking out directories like NAMA (National Ayurvedic Medical Association) for certified professionals. Word of mouth can help too, ask around at yoga studios or health food stores. Just make sure they're knowledgeable about balancing doshas and your unique constitution. Good luck! 🌿
How can I incorporate Ayurveda into my daily routine for better preventive health?
Luke
5 days ago
Dr. Harsha Joy
4 days ago
Sure! To incorporate Ayurveda in your daily routine, start with a simple morning ritual like tongue scraping and drinking warm lemon water to kickstart digestion. Add regular yoga or gentle exercise to balance doshas. Stick to meals matching your dosha to strengthen agni. It’s all about small holistic changes that balance body and mind. If in doubt, consulting an ayurvedic practitioner could be useful!
What are some specific Ayurvedic practices I can start with to balance my doshas in daily life?
Lillian
10 days ago
Dr. Harsha Joy
9 days ago
To balance your doshas daily, start with simple things like eating in harmony with your dosha. If you're Vata, go for warm, cooked foods. Pitta? Opt for cooling, non-spicy meals. Kapha? Light and spicy dishes help. Also, sipping warm water with ginger can boost your agni. Try some yoga or meditation each day to align your mind and body too.
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