11 Incredible Myths About Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the ancient system of healing, which took birth in this land thousands of years ago. But, our ancient Indian texts do not describe Ayurveda as just a method of healing - it is described as an art and science of healing as well as the method for a long, happy, and healthy living.

The central thinking of Ayurveda knowledge is based on the concept that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. Ayurvedic medicines, therefore, aim at promoting good health rather than fight the disease.

Many people think that Ayurveda is herbal medicine or folk medicine, or in loose terms - alternative medicine or native medicine. The notion that ayurveda uses only medicines of herbal origin has to be cleared.While herbs are the major source of medicine, ayurveda also makes medicines from minerals like gold, silver, diamond, copper, iron, sulphur, zinc, lead, tin, and mica through a process of purification and then turns them into bhasma.It also uses animal products such as ghee, butter, cow urine, horns, skin, and flesh whenever and wherever necessary. As it has come down the ages, Ayurveda has acquired a few myths, which we will attempt to clear.

Let's take a look at some of the myths:

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1. Ayurveda treatments are safe and harmless - NO - They are safe and harmless only when prescribed and given by the doctor. They contain herbs, some of which are toxic, and should be used only in the right proportion. So, do not attempt to taken any ayurvedic medicine on your own.
2. Ayurveda uses only herbs and oils for treatment - NO - Though most of the time they uses Ayurvedic herbs and oils extracted from trees, it also uses milk, ghee, honey, salt, minerals, and alcohol. But, sometimes it also uses animal products such as milk, gallstones, and bones.
3. Some people say that ayurvedic treatment offers instant cure - NO - Though some medicines act fast, there is no instant cure. And, some chronic diseases take a considerably long time as they have to treat the root cause.
4. People say that ayurveda is all about body massage - NO -ayurvedic scriptures have nowhere prescribed massages and only very few ailments can be cured through body massages.
5. People say that ayurveda is just a home remedy and has no clinical testing - NO -ayurvedic experts refute this. They say that each medicine, before it is put in the market, undergoes stringent tests and certification. It is a scientifically proven system of medicine.
6. Ayurvedic medicines have no side effects - NO - It cannot be said that ayurvedic medicines have no side effects. Ayurvedic medicines have side effects - and sometimes, even severe ones. if you take medicines on the basis of self-prescription, or if you take the wrong medicine, or if you exceed the dosage - you are in for a bad time.
7. Ayurveda takes a long time to heal - NO - Not always. What normally happens is that Ayurveda is believed to be the last resort - and people approach ayurveda when they have exhausted other options. They would have delayed so much so that it definitely takes a long time for the process of healing to take place. Furthermore, the concept of ayurveda is different - the medicine while curing the malady, tries to restore the balance, and that certainlytakes a long time.
8. Many people complain that ayurveda has many restrictions - Well, ayurveda is altogether a different system of medicine. The system demands certain restrictions and discipline. And, you have to respect that.
9. Is ayurveda against allopathic medicine? - NO - Many people believe that Ayurvedic medicine cannot be taken in conjunction with allopathic medicines. That is not true as both the medicines act in their individual ways.
10. They say that ayurveda is expensive - YES and NO - ayurveda tends to become costly when you come to it as a last resort. When the malady becomes aggravated, it takes longer and costlier. If the problem is in the initial stages you can use a number of home remedies to cure yourself. You will find many of these herbs in your kitchen - ginger, turmeric, cumin, mustard, cardamom, and many other spices. If you learn to use these spices effectively, you can arrest the progress of the disease or even cure it.
11. People choose Ayurveda as the last option - YES - What cannot be understood is why people choose ayurveda as the last option. People go to other systems of medicine, and when the disease cannot be treated there they come to ayurveda. When they come to ayurveda at this stage, the treatment becomes costlier and definitely takes longer.And, it becomes difficult to cure - and sometimes, even impossible. After all, no one can perform a miracle!

When you would like to be treated in the ayurvedic way, you should accept the lifestyle and living style of ayurveda. Then, and only then, would you benefit from the treatment.There wouldn't be any effect if you make a half-hearted attempt.

Whatever you do, do it well! Don't you agree?