Ayurveda makes extensive use of dietary therapy for disease prevention, palliative therapies such as oil massage, purification therapies such as Panchakarma, and herbal preparations for treating various diseases. Thus, herbal preparations play a central role in Ayurveda.
Herbal preparations are a comprehensive pharmacology, the crystallization of wisdom born from many years of clinical experience. In recent years, their physiological effects are being scientifically verified. This time, we will explain in detail the relationship between Ayurveda and herbal preparations.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda is the "science of longevity" with a history of over 5,000 years in India. It is the source of world medicine, a sophisticated holistic medical system that integrates ancient Indian civilization and indigenous medicine. To the west, it spread to Western medicine via Greek medicine and Unani medicine, and to the east, it spread as Japanese Buddhist medicine via Chinese medicine.
A characteristic of Ayurveda is the idea that "disease prevention is better than disease treatment." It also adopts a holistic approach, emphasizing the harmonization of the body's overall life functions rather than focusing only on partial functions. Therefore, it believes that considering all elements such as the physiological state of mind and body, lifestyle, and environment is necessary for maintaining health.
Ayurveda is also an expert in medicinal products, making extensive use of sophisticated herbal preparations for disease prevention and treatment. It employs a unique disease theory called "Tri-Dosha theory" to determine health status. This theory applies the Triguna theory and the Five Great Elements theory of Sankhya philosophy, which are the core of Indian thought, to the assessment of human physiological functions, and has been passed down to traditional medicines worldwide.
The Relationship Between Ayurveda and Herbs
In Ayurveda, "herb" refers to all parts of a plant. Its main uses include medicinal plants, spices, aromatic oils, and food ingredients.
While herbs have been used since prehistoric times, Ayurveda in particular has developed a sophisticated and systematic herbalism. The study of herb utilization is fundamental to Ayurveda, and is widely used in the prevention and treatment of diseases. The main reason for this is that the diverse climate and topography of the Indian subcontinent produce a rich variety of medicinal plants.
Medicinal Efficacy of Herbs and Their Global Usage Rate
Ayurvedic physicians have patiently investigated and researched the medicinal properties of approximately 10,000 types of herbs from thousands of years ago to the present day. They say that the optimal harvest time for herbs is determined by the herbs themselves. Herbal preparations combine herbs, confirm their effectiveness through clinical trials, and approximately 8,000 herbal remedies are registered with the Indian Ministry of AYUSH.
In recent years, scientific research on pharmacological effects has rapidly advanced and is being digitized, primarily in India. The WHO (World Health Organization) points out that approximately 20,000 types of plants can be used as medicinal plants. Indeed, 80% of the world's population relies on herbal preparations for health management.
In developed Western countries, herbal preparations account for 25%, while in India, China, and developing countries, they account for 80%. 70% of effective Western medicines are plant-derived, and plant components are important starting materials (lead compounds) for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Uses and Benefits of Herbal Preparations
Ayurvedic herbal preparations are used in a variety of ways, such as for:
- Longevity
- Lifestyle diseases
- Injuries
- Painkillers
- Detoxification/Purification
- Infections
- Fever reduction
- Internal organ diseases (acute & chronic)
- Antiseptics
- Tonics
- Anthelmintics
The advantage of herbal preparations is their effectiveness in treating many internal organ diseases, lifestyle diseases, neurological disorders, and intractable diseases that are difficult to treat with synthetic drugs. In recent years, the identification of active ingredients has progressed, and their mechanisms of action are being scientifically elucidated.
Active ingredients are plant secondary metabolites, which are organic compounds with diverse structures. Their chemical structures are varied and involve complex synthesis pathways, including terpenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols.
Since plants cannot move, they interact with animals, insects, microorganisms, and other plants through a variety of secondary metabolites. They also defend against parasites and predators, attract symbionts, secure habitats, and protect against cold, heat, and UV radiation.
Misconceptions about Herbal Preparations
Herbal preparations are said to have few side effects, but this is a pharmaceutical manufacturing technique gained through many years of experience. Herbs are essentially toxic and not safe. Side effects are simply eliminated by the dosage and combination of herbs.
Conventionally, herbal preparations had an aspect of compensating for the shortcomings of synthetic chemical drugs in Western medicine. Affordability, stable supply, safety, and a low likelihood of addiction or resistance mechanisms were considered advantages of herbal preparations.
In recent years, it has been increasingly demonstrated that the performance of herbal preparations as medicines themselves is superior to synthetic drugs. In the science of healthy longevity, the effectiveness of herbal preparations has been sufficiently proven. Except for the difficulty of producing and supplying high-quality herbal preparations, they far surpass the performance of chemical drugs. Blind reliance on chemical drugs is ending, and the usefulness of herbal preparations is being re-recognized.
Body Constitution and Herbs
When performing treatments for maintaining health or curing diseases, Ayurveda always considers the body constitution (Prakriti). If these treatments are not suitable for the body constitution, their effectiveness may be halved, and in some cases, they may even have an adverse effect.
Among the measures for improving one's constitution, the intake of herbs is the most effective. According to Ayurvedic literature, 29 types of herbs are recommended for improving Vata constitution, 37 types for Pitta constitution, and 69 types for Kapha constitution.
Why There Are 3 Types of Body Constitutions: "Vata," "Pitta," and "Kapha"
In Ayurveda, three types of body constitutions (Prakriti) are emphasized:
- Vata
- Pitta
- Kapha
We believe that the balance of expression of three homologous genes (similar genes with the same function) involved in early development determines the body constitution. We refer to these, for convenience, as "constitutional genes."
A Vata constitution refers to a person in whom the expression of the constitutional genes defining the Vata constitution is dominant. The constitution reflects the expression pattern of the three constitutional genes at birth. This expression pattern is determined in the intrauterine environment and is not believed to be hereditary.
The difference in people's constitutions is thought to be a mechanism that creates human diversity. In Ayurveda, it is said that an innate constitution will become even more imbalanced if left unchecked. This expands the diversity of the entire human race, but it comes at the expense of individual health.
Even during the aging process, the constitution becomes imbalanced. Considering healthy longevity, it is desirable to restore the expression pattern of constitutional genes to an ideal state (where Vata, Pitta, and Kapha constitutions are equally expressed). Ayurveda shows that constitution can be improved through correct dietary practices, lifestyle improvements, and appropriate use of herbs.
While the use of herbs is optimal for constitutional improvement, there are some limitations. It is difficult to obtain high-quality herbs, and specialized knowledge is required for preparing herbal remedies.
In Japan, there are regulations under the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act. Foreign products from India or the US, for example, lack safety and reliability. Therefore, only a very limited number of herbs are used in Europe and America.
Recommended Foods for Vata (Air)
The attribute of the Vata constitution is "air." Characterized by "instability," "coldness," and "dryness," herbs that promote calmness, warmth, and moisture, and aid digestion, are effective.
In Western countries, the following are used:
- Ginger
- Fennel
- Chamomile
- Ashwagandha
- Triphala
Dietary methods that soothe Vata are also effective for constitutional improvement. Regarding food ingredients, Ayurveda provides the following guidelines:
- Grains
- Vegetables
- Meats
- Legumes
- Spices
- Sweet fruits
- Dairy products
- Oils
However, it is not realistic to create a meal plan suitable for the constitution of every family member. Therefore, the following simple dietary methods are recommended:
- Refrain from eating what you like and eat what you dislike.
- Reduce pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes, and consume more sour, acidic, and salty tastes.
- Avoid light and cold foods, which are characteristic of the Vata constitution, and consume warm and heavy foods, which are the opposite.
Recommended Foods for Pitta (Fire)
The attribute of the Pitta constitution is "fire." Characterized by passion, criticism, and inflammation, herbs that cool and calm the mind and body, and soothe inflammation, are effective.
In Western countries, the following are used:
- Coriander
- Mint
- Rose
- Shatavari
- Triphala
Also, the following three points are recommended for a Pitta-calming diet:
- Refrain from eating what you like and eat what you dislike.
- Reduce sour, salty, and pungent tastes, and consume sweet, bitter, and astringent tastes.
- Avoid hot and spicy foods characteristic of the Pitta constitution, and consume more cool and sweet foods, which are the opposite.
Recommended Foods for Kapha (Water)
The attribute of the Kapha constitution is "water." Characterized by dampness, coldness, and obesity, finding a balance of drying, warming, and lightly strengthening herbs can "ignite" the digestive fire. Light, warm, and aromatic herbs are effective. In the West,
- Turmeric
- Ginseng
- Triphala
- Black pepper
and others are well-known.
The Kapha-calming diet consists of the following three points:
- Refrain from eating what you like and eat what you dislike.
- Reduce sour, acidic, and salty tastes, and consume pungent, bitter, and astringent tastes.
- Avoid heavy and oily foods characteristic of the Kapha constitution, and consume more light and less fatty foods, which are the opposite.
Summary
We have explained the relationship between Ayurveda and herbs.
The existence of three body constitutions in mammals is thought to be an adaptation of the species to the external environment. The diversity of biological functions increases the chances of adapting to environmental changes, but this comes at the expense of individual health.
For a biological species to survive, the principle of group survival takes precedence, and the survival of individual members is secondary. In human society, which prioritizes individual interests, methods for improving one's constitution are a crucial issue.
Beyond the expression of individuality, body constitution also affects susceptibility to specific diseases and healthy lifespan. Ayurveda presents various methods for constitutional improvement and offers a healthy longevity approach to enable everyone to achieve healthy longevity equally. It is desirable for each person to thoroughly understand their own constitution and acquire methods for constitutional improvement and healthy longevity.
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