Ayurvedic medicine is an ancient system of traditional health care that originated in India thousands of years ago and is still relevant today. There is an increasing demand for complementary and natural therapeutic approaches that promote the health and well-being of the individual, to respond to the needs and challenges of contemporary societies.
This health system focuses on a personalised and holistic vision, considering not only the physical body, but also the mind, emotions, and spirit. In a world that is increasingly technological and disconnected from nature, where stress, anxiety and chronic illness are a reality, Ayurvedic practices, namely: meditation, the use of medicinal plants and alignment with natural cycles, offer an opportunity to balance and reconnect with our essence and with what is happening around us.
In addition, Ayurvedic medicine encourages healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a diet suited to each person's physical and mental constitution (doshas). Meals are an important part of our day, which is why we should consider them:
- Eating only after digesting the previous meal
- Not eating under any kind of negative emotion
- Eating only when you are hungry (and not when you feel like eating)
- Blessing and thanking food before eating it
- Eat in a quiet, undisturbed place
- Avoid drinking at mealtimes
- Chew food well before swallowing it
In a context where conventional medicine often focuses only on treating diseases that have already set in, the preventive approach of Ayurvedic Medicine stands out as a powerful tool in the search for harmony and well-being in the face of the demands and challenges of modern life.
By Sandra de Andrade, Complementary Practices Therapist and Trainer (www.sandradeandrade.pt).