Ayurveda is the world’s oldest recorded healing system. Used for 5,000 years by many thousands of doctors on millions of patients, it is a proven system of prevention and healing.
Ayurveda in sanskrit means the Study of Life.
History: Ayurveda was discovered and developed by ancient Indian holy men known as “Rishis”. Due to their relationship to both the spiritual and physical worlds, they were able to discern a basic nature of the universe, and man’s place in it. They developed an oral tradition of knowledge that was fluid and allowed for growth. Ayurveda was built upon as new therapies and herbs were discovered and trade brought new information from other cultures.
These practitioners were scientists who made huge advances in the fields of surgery, herbal medicine, the medicinal effects of minerals and metals, exercise, physiology, human anatomy and psychology. Over time, this information was recorded; as written language was developed.
As Ayurveda spread in to other civilizations, its versatile adaptability was recognized and it was often integrated into local forms of medicine. Ayurveda had a profound effect on the medicine of Tibet, China, Persia, Egypt, Greece, Rome and Indonesia. Ayurvedic medicine was suppressed in India during British colonial rule. In 1833, the East India Company closed and banned all Ayurvedic Colleges. For almost 100 years, Ayurveda was known as “poor man’s medicine”, practiced only in rural areas where western medicine was too expensive and unavailable.
With the independence of India, Ayurveda has re-emerged to gain equal footing with western medicine, Currently, 70% of India’s population is treated ayurvedically.
by Dr. Z. Light Miller, B.S., C.M.T. and Dr. Bryan A. Miller D.C.
