PANCHA MAHABHUTAS THEORY OF TREATMENT: BASIC CONCEPT

We all have times when we do not feel well and recognize that we are out of balance. Sometimes we go to the doctor only to be told "There is Nothing Wrong!" What actually occurring is that, this imbalance has not yet become recognizable as a Disease. With Ayurved we can assess the imbalance in health. Arogyam, focuses on health solutions to complete family by providing authentic Ayurvedic treatment based on Pancha Mahabhutas Theory in Ayurved.

PANCHA MAHABHUTAS THEORY OF TREATMENT: BASIC CONCEPT

According to this theory, our Universe and everything on it, is the product of different combinations of the five basic elements: Earth/Prithvi, Water/jala, Fire/agni, Air/vaayu and Space/akasha. Ayurved uses the characteristics of these five elements (pancha mahabhutas) to identify various objects. Ex "fire" means that the object displays the characteristics of fire, like combustion, heat ,by "water" it means it is moist, cool and sticky or "earth" then it means it is heavy, solid and stable.

Ø  Earth and Water together form Kapha Dosha (anabolic, conserving and stabilizing),

Ø  Fire is Pitta Dosha (metabolism, transformative and balancing) and

Ø  Air and Space attribute to Vaata Dosha (catabolic, activating and dynamic) in our body.   

The pancha mahabhutas theory may sound simplistic and ancient, but it is actually a very sophisticated method of diagnosis and treatment. The elegance of this science lies in the simplicity of the basic concepts, and the powerful analytical tool they provide for internal (body-mind) and external (environmental) assessment. The elements (mahabhutas) have certain qualities, attributes and impacts on the body and mind. All objects and substances are a mixture of the five elements, but they have one dominant element that allows them to be identified and classified.

In our body,

§   Space / akasha is present wherever there is a cavity like in the nostrils, mouth, ears, throat, lungs, and stomach

§   Air /vaayu in movement of the lungs, heart, stomach, intestines and joints, mind.

§   Fire / Agni in all metabolic activity, the eyes, intelligence and body temperature

§   Water / jala in all body fluids like plasma, blood, mucus, and saliva

§   Earth / Prithvi in any solid structure like fat, muscles, skin, nails, hair and bones.

The basic elemental compatibility or similarity between Earth and humans clarifies why substances found in the natural world (plants, herbs, foods) are usually harmonious with the human system. They can be easily absorbed and cause no adverse reactions or side effects (if consumed in appropriate quantities) because they are fundamentally the same in character and composition. This is why foods and herbs are able to heal the human body.

SALIENT FEATURES OF TREATMENT:

§   Faster acting drug combinations, required to take very little quantity, hence cost effective.

§   Child friendly tasty combination of herbs.

§  Safest for pregnant women, newborns and lactating mothers.

§  Effective in treating a broad spectrum of diseases :

Ø  Cough, cold, fever to asthma, sinusitis, respiratory tract infection

Ø  All types of joint diseases

Ø  menstrual problems and irregularities like Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD)

Ø  Infertility, especially unexplained cases of infertility

Ø  Metabolic disorders like simple indigestion to diabetes, high cholesterol, triglycerides, obesity 

Ø  Child health problems like indigestion, asthma, chronic cough, poor immunity, worms, bedwetting, obesity.

Ø  Planned healthy conception for excellent physical and mental development of child.

Ø  Digestion and feeding problems in newborns, as well as lactating problems in mothers.

STAGES OF DISEASE FORMATION

Mr. X, a middle aged person, lived in a city having moist, warm climate. He was known for his regular morning walk, exercise, healthy eating habits etc. Suddenly, one day the mercury dropped and weather changed. Mr. X continued his routine and believed he won’t be affected being fit and fine. Three to four days later he got fever and body ache. The person wondered, and asked me how it could happen to him? No doubt he was fit but due to improper care towards the sudden change in weather he became diseased!

Basically, in Ayurved, six stages are enumerated to land up in a disease. In the above example, they can be assessed like:

1.       Accumulation of toxins

2.       Saturation of toxins

3.       Spread of toxins

4.       Stabilization of toxins at an immune deficient organ

5.       Disease

6.       Complications/ Rejuvenation

Normally, body gives some signals at each and every stage for further prevention. If identified properly and taken care of, we can keep ourselves fit for a longer while!

1.       Accumulation

Ø  Affinity towards opposites- e.g. wishes to have hot and warm food, drinks, and atmosphere.

Ø  Decreased or loss  of appetite

Ø  Heaviness in body

Ø  Lethargy

Ø  Aversion towards the causative factors e.g. cold weather, food, drink etc.

Ø  Abdominal discomfort

Ø  Yellowish color in urine, sweat, stool, eyes etc.

Remedies such as drinking warm water, eating easier to digest food, soups, fruits, and medicines like Trikatu powder, Sitopaladi powder, Triphala powder can be used to restore the appetite. The duration of this stage varies between 3-4 days. 

2.       Saturation

Addition to the above signals if a person continues his routine like doing exercise, not taking adequate sleep, eating heavy to digest food, sleeping in daytime etc. then further symptoms may occur.

Ø  Pain in abdomen

Ø  Heaviness in abdomen

Ø  Excess thirst

Ø  Heartburn

Ø  Hyperacidity,

Ø  Sour taste in the mouth

Ø  Aversion to food

Ø  Nausea

Ø  Excessive salivation

3.       Spread

The above stage if neglected causes

Ø  Flatulence

Ø  Referred pain in cardiac, low back region

Ø  Abdominal bloating

Ø  Burning, dryness, feeling like heat wave coming out of the body or feverish

Ø  Aversion to food

Ø  Indigestion

Ø  Weakness

Ø  Vomiting

4.       Stabilization of toxins in a specific system which is comparatively immune deficient.

This stage shows predisposing symptoms of the future disease. E.g.in Fever

Ø  Sour taste in mouth

Ø  Heaviness in body

Ø  Food dislike

Ø  Dry or stressful eyes

Ø  Yawning

Ø  Affinity to warmth

Up till the above stage a disease can be prevented.

5.        Visualization of symptoms of a specific disease.

The toxins now start affecting the cellular level, travel deep in the body making the regression period longer. At this stage classical symptoms of a disease are seen e.g. fever, diarrhea, abscess, tumor, cyst etc. If not treated properly it ends up in the last stage of complications.

6.       Complications or Rejuvenation

Rejuvenation stage holds a very key position to prevent further illness. After the successful treatment of each disease this should follow to regain the full vitality and strength of our body.