Ayurveda
Ayurveda is an ancient medicinal practice. The word Ayur means Life, and Veda means Science. An Ayurvedic practitioner teaches you to heal yourself with herbs, food and lifestyle.
As a client of Ayurveda, you are evaluated through questions about your present health, diet and lifestyle, along with questions about any past history of illness and trauma. We examine the body for any visible signs of imbalance.
The simplest changes can be in your diet and lifestyle. Just as the seasons change, so should there be changes in our activities and the foods you eat. Even a simple change like eating at a different time can make a world of difference. Many foods that are marketed as being good for you are only for certain seasons and may cause symptoms of illness in other seasons. We look for causative factors in you diet and lifestyle to see if simple changes can relieve issues ranging from fatigue, to reoccurring or chronic illnesses.
Herbology
Ayurvedic Herbs are food and are used to further help the body achieve balance. All herbs used are natural products of the earth. Most are plant based, but there are a few that are mineral or animal based. Because they are natural products, the body recognizes them and is able to break then down easily and use the elements that are needed.
One of the most amazing occurrences in Ayurveda is the bodies ability to recognize the herbs and send them to the area they are needed without disrupting other functions. In other words the body and the herbs are already familiar with each other, so all you have to do is to take it.
Are there contraindications to herbs? Yes, there are contraindications because of the issues that you may be having at any given time. Herbs must be taken in the right way and at the right time. No herb should be used all the time. There are some circumstances that herbs are taken on a long term basis, but only under the guidance of an Ayurvedic Practitioner or Vaidya (Doctor).