Product Description

Discover the secrets of natural healing through stress-reduction techniques, personalized health programs, purposeful career, deepening spirituality, herbs, nutrition, aromas, yoga, meditation, music, colors, massage, and more. This is the most complete and in-depth book on Ayurveda with photographs of 85 major Ayurvedic herbs, and 89 photographs on Ayurvedic hatha yoga for general health, pregnancy, and seniors. This authoritative guide covers the whole field of Ayurveda in its 686 pages (8-1/2 x 11). There is a simple, yet detailed discussion of how Ayurveda works so anyone can understand this unique healing process. Maintaining its simple style, it thoroughly covers pathology and diagnosis techniques so the lay person can understand the cause and development of disorders, and so medical professionals can appreciate the medical insights offered through Ayurveda. The book appeals to lay persons, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health practitioners.

Ayurveda means the "science of life". It originated in India more than 5,000 years old and is believed to be the oldest healing science in existence, from which all other systems emerged. Pronounced "Aa-your-vay-da", this ancient healing system has three main focuses: 1) Healing illness, 2) Prevention of disease and 3) Longevity or age reversal.

Laws of Nature and Spirituality In short, Ayurveda simply explains the laws of nature that cause health or disease. The first cause of illness is said to be the loss of faith in the Divine or experiencing a spiritual lacking. From here illness develops due to internal conditions (e.g., foods and liquids) or external conditions (e.g., seasons, lifestyle). The main factors that cause poor health (also described as imbalance) are 1) poor digestion and 2) Weak immune systems.

When food is not properly digested it sits in the body. Nutrients are not absorbed and the food decays and forms toxins. These toxins cause most diseases in the body. Therefore, it is important to have good digestion.

The immune system can become depleted by poor nutrition, overwork, drugs and other excesses. The finest essence of nutrition develops a life sap that protects the immune system, much like the sap of a tree heals the bruises in its bark. In addition to promoting physical health, it is the life sap that becomes transformed through meditation to produce mental peace and spiritual development. With all the immune disorders that are prevalent these days, it is even more important that persons develop their immune sap.

What Makes Ayurveda So Unique ? This spiritual science offers numerous unique benefits: It looks at people as individuals, not as a generic group. It heals from the root-cause of an illness, not merely treating the symptoms. Only natural therapies are offered. No side effects develop from the therapies. Therapies are inexpensive and effective.

How Does Ayurveda Work? Tridosha Theory:

The basic view of Ayurveda is that all of life (people, food, animals, nature, the universe, and diseases) are combinations of three energy-elements: air (called Vayu or Vata), fire (called Pitta), and water (called Kapha). When these elements are balanced, one is healthy. Illness is defined as an imbalance of these elements; all disorders excesses of one or more element.

People and the Elements: A person's constitution (dosha) is predominantly one or more of these elements. Each element relates to certain body types, foods and health concerns. By nature, whatever a person's constitution is, they have a tendency for it to become excessed. For example an air constitution person (Vayu dosha) is thin and bony. Physical symptoms of excess air include dry skin, cracking bones, gas and constipation. Mental symptoms of excess air include fear, worry, anxiety and nervousness. When an air constitution (Vayu dosha) person is balanced they are creative, adaptable and have no physical health concerns. Ayurveda notes that certain foods increase air and other foods reduce air. In general, excess air is reduced by eating cooked or steamed foods, and eating every three or four hours. Foods like carrots, rice and mung beans reduce excess air. Broccoli, baked beans and barley increase air (e.g., they cause gas). Excessive lifestyles also increases the air element.

Fire constitution people (Pitta dosha) tend towards excess heat. When healthy they are strong, make good leaders and are warm and goal oriented. When the Pitta dosha is imbalanced, mentally they become hot tempered, impatient, irritable. Physically they develop heat-related disorders such as acne, rashes, diarrhea, ulcers, toxic blood, liver, kidney, gall bladder, heart and spleen disorders.

Water constitutions (Kapha doshas) tend towards excess water. When healthy they are strong, muscular, calm and loyal. When water becomes excessed, they develop lethargy, and a hoarding or greedy nature. Physically they develop congestion, overweight, edema, heart and kidney problems, etc.

To review, health means balance. Each constitution has a natural tendency to become imbalanced or excessed. By eating foods and living a lifestyle that reduces the the excesses, one remains balanced. Balancing produces healing, prevention, and reverses the aging process. Many people have two or even all three elements in their constitution. In these cases, both elements tend toward excess. Thus foods and lifestyles that reduce both elements need to be followed.

What Therapies Does Ayurveda Offer? Using a holistic approach, Ayurveda offers therapies for each of the five senses because different people learn better through different senses. Therapies include; Taste: Herbs and nutrition. Touch:Massage (abhyanga), yoga, exercise. Smell: Aromatherapy. Sight: Color therapy. Hearing: Music therapy, mantra meditation, chanting. Spiritual therapies include meditation, living ethically, and working in a career that one loves or is purposeful.

Environmental factors are also considered from this holistic outlook. These therapies include house, apartment and office structure and astrological effects. These are sciences unto themselves. Vedic architecture (Vastu Shastra) and Chinese Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway) deal with the laws of nature that integrate the earth, the person and the planets and stars. The exterior and interior design of buildings can also enhance balance or cause imbalance. Vedic astrology (Jyotish) is the science of understanding the laws of nature of the planets and stars, and how they influence us.

What Does Holistic Mean?

Holistic has two meanings. 1)It looks at the whole of one's life. Health and disease are byproducts of all aspects of one's life: nutrition, career, mental frame, family and social activities and spiritual life. If one area is weakened, all areas begin to suffer. If a person is unhappy at work, it will affect all other areas of life. 2)Holistic means holy. Ayurveda reminds us that to have and maintain true health, persons need to take some quiet time for spiritual development. The goal of life is Self-Realization. This is a state of unshakable Divine mental peace.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #306608 in Books
• Published on: 1998-03-01
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 686 pages

From Library Journal
Although there is no shortage of books that attempt to explain Ayurveda medicine (a system that originated in India about 5000 years ago) to a popular audience, the author, instructor at the Ayurveda Holistic Health Center in Bayville, NY, claims that this is the first English-language textbook on the subject. However, he does little to simplify this complicated system and goes into too much detail not only for average readers but for health practitioners who want to learn more about this form of treatment. Many of his statements seem far-fetched (e.g., can the color orange really help with menstrual cramps?). Organization is poor; for instance, information on therapies for diabetes is spread throughout the book rather than being concentrated in the section on diseases. Perhaps the most useful information here is the list of Ayurvedic resources and the glossary containing clear definitions of many of the terms used. Better choices for books on Ayurveda medicine include titles by Vasant Lad (Ayurveda: The Science of Self Healing, Lotus Light, 1990) and Deepak Chopra (Ageless Body, Timeless Mind, LJ 6/15/93). Recommended only for libraries with extensive collections in alternative medicine.?Natalie Kupferberg, Arizona State Univ. West, Phoenix
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review
"(The author) has put together a fine reference book both for individuals and their families and for practitioners...A wealth of fascinating information" -- NAPRA ReView - Sept/Oct 1998

"(The book is) a truly unique work, very comprehensive...well researched, and well put together...The spiritual points...give a perspective that is lacking in the current 'alternative medical literature'."

-- Robert Pincus, MD; NY USA

"...a 'must have' reference for any health professional involved in integrative medicine. (The author) has brought an ancient complex teaching into a fully usable western form, that can aid both the practitioner and the patient to use Ayurvedic Medicine as part of a wholistic, life-enhancing program."

-- Ellen Kamhi PhD RN HNC ('The Natural Nurse') Author/Media Spokesperson

"For me, this is the next best book after Harrison's Internal Medicine Text. I think every doctor should read this book for better insights into the entire psycho-physiologic makeup of his or her patients."

-- Patrick J. Conte MD; Head of Radiology; St. Michaels Medical Center- New Jersey USA

"The Ayurveda Encyclopedia is an important reference volume for all students of Ayurveda and Yoga, almost a complete course in Ayurveda in itself. Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha has done a monumental work in putting together so much material in such a concise and clear manner for the modern reader."

-- Dr. David Frawley (Vamadeva Shastri); Author/Director: American Institute of Vedic Studies

"The Ayurveda Encyclopedia...is an all-inclusive, authoritative reference to Ayurveda beneficial for families as well as health care practitioners and administrators."

Health Foods Business - July '98 -- Health Foods Business - July '98

"This book covers approximately two years worth of study at Indian government-recognized Ayurvedacolleges and universities. I congratulate Swamiji for writing this magnificent work." -- r. S.N. Srivastava B.A.M.S.; Head of Dept. Kayachikitsa; Government Ayurvedic ollege; Gurukul Kangri; Hardwar, India

"This book is a great source of information for practitioners or anyone else looking to increase knowledge and understanding on the practice of Ayurvedic medicine."

-- Making Scents - International Aromatherapy & Herb Association- Summer/fall '98

"This is an excellent reference book for the pharmaceutical industry for developing formulations to meet the rising demand of customers. It's the Merck Manual of Ayurveda."

-- Bharat Shulka, President -Pharm-Tech Industries- New Jersey, USA

"You could buy a half-dozen plus books on Ayurveda to start your reference library, or you could buy ...(this)Encyclopedia. It's detailed enough for the professional, but accessible to the lay person...It is useful andentertaining for any student of Ayurveda or as a home self-healing resource... (a) magnum opus." -- Hinduism Today - July 1998

Review

Customer Reviews

A beginners perspective
As a recent discoverer of Ayurveda, I have purchased and read a number of books on Ayurveda from many of the well known teachers and scholars of the topic. These have all been fine but generally very narrow in their focus. There are other publicatons I have chosen to leave on the shelf that appear to be folks just "jumping on the bandwagon".

Happily I have just purchased the "AYURVEDA ENCYCLOPEDIA" and could not be more pleased. I hesitate to say I am reading it although that is exactly what I am doing with it. Most will find it a marvelous reference tool. Others will find specific portions that address their needs.

It is difficult to explain the "flavor" of the book however it is clearly not a book that has been put together by a Madison Avenue driven mega-publisher. It felt far more like a labor of love than a commercial effort.

Anyone seeking a great reference tool, a teaching text, or overview of Eastern medicine would be well served by Swami Sada Shiva Tirtha's "Ayurveda Encyclopedia".

The topics covered include the history or Ayurveda, Sanskrit, Yoga, specific medical conditions, herbology and much more. It is sprinkled with Eastern Philosophy as well as art work.

As I begin my Ayurvedic education I am confident I will be pulling it from the bookshelf frequently.

The Ayurveda Encyclopidia
I found this book extremely helpful in both discovering my doshas, and using the information to improve my health. This book describes the traditional indian healing for harmony and health.

best book on Ayurveda I have found so far
I bought this book about 2 years ago on a whim, but it has proved to be the most thorough book I have found on Ayurveda to date. Several other books I found on Ayurveda were not only smaller than this one, but very vague in what they were talking about. Ayurveda is not cut and dried, so you will find different beliefs in Ayurveda depending on the source, but if you study it enough you will find some things are constant. It's helpful also to cultivate an awareness of your body and lifestyle to better know what suits you.... anyways,

This book has something for everyone: herbalism, diet, yoga stretches, gem, color and music therapy, mantras, and meditation, body cleansing and massage, etc. etc.
I like that even though this book was recorded by a Westerner (but dictated by an Indian) it' hasn't been watered down with your standard New Agey vague "spiritual" crap. Many of the traditional Indian practices are mentioned, even though they are not all considered to be healthy in the Western world (i.e., mineral bhasmas, or burning certain minerals and using them as medicine; where in the US some are illegal because they contain lead or mercury, in India their medicinal properties are recognized, similar to the use of some poisons in Homeopathy) If there is anything I can't stand, it is sugar-coated, vague, generalized references that have been dumb-downed for us Westerners! I prefer ethnographies or at least books that are as close to the real thing as can get.
This book is at times general, but for the things that really count (the things you can put down the book and go and actually do yourself) this book does not skimp on the details.
There are a lot of spelling errors in this book, so sometimes you have to guess at what some words are, but the information is still valid.
I have found this book to be very helpful and enlightening. When reading this book I recognized things that I already knew to be true subconsciously, but did not realize other people knew about as well. For example: when reading about nutrition and the effects different kinds of food have on the body. I have heard it said that the best books are the ones which remind you of what you already know, because they point to universal truths. I would say 5000 years is a good amount of time to distill the truth about a thing! This book definitely changed my life for the better