Two weeks ago, we discussed the basics of Ayurvedic medicine, and how shilajit has been used to treat countless diseases for thousands of years under this Indian tradition. Today, I’ll delve deeper into the basics of Ayurvedic medicine so you can better understand why shilajit is used.
Basics of Ayurvedic Medicine
Ayurvedic medicine is based around the concept that everything in the universe is connected. When something is out of harmony – living or non-living – sickness is the result. Good health can be achieved when the body, spirit, and mind are aligned with the universe. The way the body works to stay healthy is called prakriti. Each person’s constitution is made out of five elements, which are also found in the universe around us: Earth, Water, Fire, Space, and Air. Each one of these elements is combined and create three life forces called doshas. It is believed that each person has a predominate dosha:
Kapha Dosha (a mix of water and earth):
This dosha controls a person’s weight, immune system, muscle growth, and strength. Greed, sleeping during the day, eating foods that are overly salting or watery, overeating, and greed are all believed to affect this dosha. It is though that people whose predominate dosha is kapha are more likely to suffer from cancer, diabetes, obesity, nausea, and asthma.
Vata Dosha (a mix of air and space):
This dosha controls basic bodily functions, as well as blood flow, waste elimination, breathing, and the mind. Staying up too late, eating dry fruit, fear, grief, and eating too quickly after a previous meal are all believed to affect the kapha dosha. It is thought that people whose predominate dosha is kapha are more likely to suffer from skin problems, anxiety, heart disease, and asthma.
Pitta Dosha (a combination of water and fire):
This dosha controls digestion, apetite hormones, and the metabolism. Getting too much sun, eating spicy or sour foods, and fatigue are all believed to affect the pitta dosha. It is thought that people whose predominate dosha is pitta are more likely to suffer from infections, Crohn’s disease, heart disease, heartburn, high blood pressure, negative emotions and anger. Learn more about dosha’s here.
Shilajit’s Use in Ayurvedic Medicine
In Ayurvedic medicine, the balance of these three dosas determine your health and possibility of getting sick. When a person is sick as a result of this unbalance, yogis and masters have used shilajit to heal the body and become balanced once again. They have believed for thousands of years that shilajit is a gift from god – a nectar that can heal and prevent ailments. In fact, shilajit is one of the most popular herbs used in this tradition of medicine. Thankfully, in recent years, people in the West have come to understand the power of shilajit and are using it in their daily lives. Much of this benefit is due to shilajit’s high fulvic acid content. This is why I have created and maintained this website – to educate the public about shilajit and the medicine tradition that has used it successfully for thousands of years.