Ayurveda, India’s natural system of healing has spread worldwide as an innovative and comprehensive system of mind-body medicine. Recognizing the importance of Ayurveda, Ministry of AYUSH decided to celebrate the National Ayurveda Day every year on Dhanwantari Jayanti (Dhanteras). This year, it was celebrated on 28th October 2016.
Why on Dhanteras?
Well because, Dhanteras is originally Dhanvantari Jayanti. So Who is Dhanvantri?
According to Hindu mythology(Bhagwat Purana), Dhanvantari is the form of Lord Vishnu, who arose from the Samudra Manthana. Lord Dhanvantari holds the nectar pot of immortality that grants optimal health, extending to rejuvenation of body and mind.
The Sushruta Samhita narrates how Dhanvantari, incarnated himself as Divodāsa, a mythical king of Varanasi, who then taught medicine to a group of wise physicians, including Sushruta himself
He is the ideal doctor and manifestation of compassion, representing the wisdom of ayurveda in practical application. His image can be found at ayurvedic schools and clinics, where mantras to him are chanted daily.
What is Ayurveda?
Ayurveda, which literally means the science of life (Ayur = Life, Veda = Science), is an ancient medical science, incorporated in Atharva Veda, the last of the four Vedas. It follows a holistic approach to maintain health as well as fighting illness through therapies, massages, herbal medicines, diet control and exercise.
Ayurveda also names three elemental substances, the doshas (called Vata, Pitta and Kapha), and states that a balance of the doshas results in health, while imbalance results in disease. Some of the oldest known Ayurvedic texts include the Suśrutha Saṃhitā and Charaka Saṃhitā, which are written in Sanskrit.
Theme 2016: Ayurveda for Prevention & Control of Diabetes
India has seen a surge in the incidence of diabetes over the last 15 years, especially among the younger generation and the focus of the government is on youth and pregnant women. Since mental stress could be one of the important reasons behind diabetes, a holistic management of the disease is required including Ayurveda, Unani, Naturopathy, Yoga and lifestyle management.
Since, Ayurveda touches the entire way of life, we can look towards Ayurveda not only for treatment purposes but also for the promotion of a healthy life. Consequently, the “Mission Madhumeh through Ayurveda” was launched and declared as the first theme for the year 2016. This would help to generate awareness about prevention and control and to promote efforts of research through year long activities.
Three renowned Practitioners, Academicians & Researchers of Ayurveda received the National Dhanwantari Ayurveda Awards. They are:
- Prof. Premwati Tiwari,
- Shri Parshuram Yashawant Vaidya Khadiwale
- Vaidya P. R. Krishna Kumar
What is Diabetes? Quick Facts
Diabetes, often referred to by doctors as diabetes mellitus, describes a group of metabolic diseases in which the person has high blood glucose (blood sugar), either because insulin production is inadequate, or because the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, or both.
Diabetes is of three types:
A) Type 1 diabetes
- Here, the body does not produce insulin.
- Approximately 10% of all diabetes cases are type 1.
- As the body doesnot produce insulin, patients with type 1 diabetes will need to regularly take insulin injections.
B) Type 2 diabetes
- In type 2, the body does not produce enough insulin for proper function, or the cells in the body do not react to insulin, either case there is insulin resistance in the body.
- Approximately 90% of all cases of diabetes worldwide are type 2.
- Overweight and obese people have a much higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to those with a healthy body weight. Some people may be able to control their type 2 diabetes symptoms by losing weight, following a healthy diet, doing plenty of exercise, and monitoring their blood glucose levels.
C) Gestational diabetes
- This type affects females during pregnancy. Like type 1 and type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes causes blood sugar levels to become too high.
- When a women is pregnant, her body naturally becomes more resistant to insulin so that more glucose is available to nourish the baby. But for some, blood sugar levels rise too high because the cells aren’t using the glucose. This results in gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes needs to be recognized and treated quickly because it can cause health problems for mother and baby.
- Unlike other types of diabetes, gestational diabetes isn’t permanent. Once a baby is born, blood sugar will most likely return to normal quickly.
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that allows your body to use sugar (glucose) from carbohydrates in the food that you eat for energy or to store glucose for future use.
