Yoga is principally a method of preventing disease through personal efforts to build and maintain good health, many hundreds of simple therapeutic practices have been discovered over the centuries and used to great benefit by exponents of Hatha Yoga.

It is in the ashrams in India that these Ayurvedic methods are preserved and also applied in therapeutic practices much as natural methods are practised in western countries through the naturopathic profession. There are many shared techniques and principles.

The traditional manner of treating disease by the use of herbs and substances prepared according to Ayurvedic medicine in India has a very logical and scientific background and is readily accepted by all who recognise the healing powers of herbs and the benefits of the homoeopathic medicine.  However in addition to the many crude medicines, minerals and other substances used in infinitesimal amounts too subtle to be isolated in laboratory analysis in homoeopathy, Ayurvedic medicine additionally includes metals, pearls and precious stones. The last is an integral and intriguing part of the Indian empirical system developed over thousands of years and now popularly known as Gem Therapy.

Under British rule the homoeopathic system was introduced as a system of medicine compatible with Indian traditional methods. It was also a method which allowed remedies to be manufactured very economically, making them accessible to the millions in need.  In later decades modern drug therapy overshadowed other systems but traditional Ayurvedic methods are now experiencing a popular revival.

One of the outstanding features in basic philosophy is the consideration of the natural elements – Fire, Earth, Air, Water and Ether.  As in the Chinese system of traditional medicine, the natural elements are seen to affect every aspect of healing, from the balance of the elements within the patient, to the medicine and the current season of the year.

In the Indian system the three main elements and their interaction are considered under the system of Tridosha as Fire, Air, and Water (Earth being symbolized in the physical body and Ether equated with the spiritual agencies). Tridosha is the cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine and is used in diagnosing disease, in analysing the patient’s temperament and when prescribing the type of treatment or medicine.

The philosophy of Tridosha is based upon ancient texts such as the Taittiriya Upanishad where it is explained that each element is manifested for the purpose of expanding its life energy, experience and consciously evolving to its perfect expression as an element.  This philosophy allows that even the tiniest expression of natural life has its design and purpose, even the smallest atom, or ion.

 Dr. Benoytosh Bhattacharrya expresses it in this way…..

“The Universal Soul (Brahman) is present in the ion (anu) and the ion is present in the Brahman. The ion has all the powers of creation, maintenance and destruction as those of Brahman.  The ion has, like Brahman, the three qualities of existence (sat), consciousness (chit) and bliss (ananda).  The doctor’s business is to introduce the most powerful and attenuated ions into the diseased body and leave the rest to the conscious and intelligent ions.  They will accomplish their mission and report completion of work through the eyes and expression of the patient and his internal joy.  This is what is known as cure.”

 In Ayurveda the element Air (Vat) represents the nerve force and vital energy of the body.

The second is Fire (Pit) which represents the circulatory system supplying heat for its preservation. The third is Water (Kaf) which rules all mucous surfaces of the body.

To experience Health these three elements must be in harmony -  this is Tridosha.

A patient who has the Air element predominant tends to suffer wakefulness, aversion to cold, cracks on hands and feet, brittle hair, impatience, prominent veins and would have few children. He would be alert, intellectually inclined, fond of quick speech and loves music, accenting the sphere of mind and intellect.

Fire element predominant produces symptoms such as inflammations, wrinkles, copious perspiration, irritability, averse to heat, and would be brave, energetic and live a very active life full of spirit.

Water predominant would tend to lethargy, catarrh, poor appetite, emotionalism with strong creativity, fondness of children and constant in friendship, loving and kind. Feelings are very strong.

Earth being representative of the physical body itself, is the playground of these elements in which exchange and interaction of the elements takes place.

Orchestrating the harmonious function of all Elements requires some skill and insight.

The main causes of imbalance of the elements in addition to the individual’s wrong action, speech, or thought is said to lie in the senses -

1) non-use of the senses – Ayoga

2) over-use of the senses – Atiyoga

3) abuse of the senses – Mithyayoga

TRIDOSHA uses the rule of threefold division in diagnosing the pulse also.

1)  Fast pulse indicates a derangement of the Air element

2)  Jumpy pulse -   “               “                       Fire    ”

3)  Slow  pulse       ”              “                      Water  “

TRIDOSHA  rules three simple considerations regarding food -

1) Increase the production of food (of organic or vegetable origin )

2) Don’t waste food

3) Enjoy food

In Indian ashrams there may be little restriction in applying Ayurvedic medicine and treatment methods. However in western Yoga teaching, administering medicines does not apply as this comes into the province of medical professionals.

Methods related to self-help however, provide information that is commonly transmitted by yoga teachers and referred to as Yoga Chikitsa.

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