🌿 What is Ayurveda – PART 2 🌿

🌿 As, I left off mentioning that Ayurvedic Medicine dates back 9,000 years in India. During the British colonial rule, Ayurvedic Medicine, and ancient knowledge in India was being suppressed and wiped out. For the longest time, Ayurveda was considered a “poor man’s medicine.” Colonial rule pushed Ayurvedic medicine to the rural areas, where Western Medicine was too expensive or unavailable. 

🌿 The conquest of the British Empire over India in the 15th century threatened the principles and practice of Ayurveda. During this time, British rule prohibited Ayurveda, and promoted the practice of Western medicine. Furthermore, English methods of medicine were forced to be implemented in all territories, ruled by the East India Company. In 1833, the East India Company shut down all Ayurvedic schools, and facilities. 

🌿 I believe Western medicine is very useful, and is great in areas where we need acute/emergency care, and traumatic injury. There is a place for both allopathic (Western medicine) and Ayurvedic, as well as other amazing ancient modalities of healing. Like everything in life, balance is needed.

🌿 India, is such a rich and vibrant culture, that the Ayurvedic “kitchen pharmacy” and lifestyle has always remained very important elements in traditional Indian homes! 

🌿 The Rishis, or Seers thousands of years ago developed the Ancient healing system. From the depths of the Himalayan mountains, these great scientists helped discern the basic nature of the universe, and our place in it. They developed an oral, and written tradition, that made huge advances in many fields such as herbal medicine. For example, Rig Veda documentation, three groups of plants have been recognized, viz. trees (Briksha), herbs (Osadhi) and creepers (Virudh). These are further classified into flowering, non-flowering, fruit bearing and fruitless plants. The Rig Veda was written 4,500 years ago.

💓 Stay tuned for PART 3 and What is Ayurveda? Thank you. 💓