Is Ayurvedic medicine right for you?

There really is nothing more important than your health. We do what we can to stay healthy, but the costs of insurance and prescription medicine are pretty much highway robbery. More and more people are turning to alternative medicines, like Ayurvedic medicine, to address ailments and maintain good health. The reasons for this are varied, but usually, people no longer seem interested in putting chemicals into their bodies in order to heal themselves. If your line of thinking goes along these lines, you probably are already aware of Ayurvedic medicine, but might want to learn more.

What is Ayurvedic medicine? It is an alternative to Western medicine that claims its roots in traditional and ancient Indian medical care. Still largely practiced in rural areas of India, over the last 20 or 30 years, Ayurvedic healers and doctors have become more prevalent in urban areas in India, and are increasingly seeing more facilities and clinics in the United States. Is this a good thing? Is Ayurvedic medicine a safe and effective alternative to modern medicine?

Ayurvedic medicine is based on a couple of theoretical precepts. Chief among them are the ideas of different types of energy, and that there a three general body types. Once your energy type has been determined by a Ayurvedic doctor, you would then follow a strict diet and supplement it with a variety of vegetable and herbal remedies. With each type of energy, there is a counter balance possible through proper diet and nutrition. Ayurvedic medicine strives to achieve a level of harmony and balance in the body, soul and mind. Thus, a diet is designed to counterbalance one's natural energy type to try to achieve harmony.

Is Ayurvedic medicine the right choice? Many people consider it a form of hokum. It derives from medical practices from thousands of years ago, and thus ignores virtually all medical discoveries and knowledge since that time. Skeptics consider it a bunch of superstition and waste of time. Others are quick to point out that a dangerous amount of lead and mercury have been found in Ayurvedic medicine in the United States, even in Ayurvedic medicine for babies.

There is certainly nothing wrong with investigating Ayurvedic medicine, and I am definitely not qualified to give expert opinions about your health. The principles of balance and harmony in Ayurvedic medicine are interesting and useful, and watching your diet is a key to any healthy lifestyle. But be cautious that the Ayurvedic medicine and treatment you are considering won't make things worse.