What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda

Traditional crusher used in Ayurveda

Ayurveda is defined as 'the science of life' according to many Ayurvedic physicians and scholars. But no one has ever been able to give a satisfactory interpretation of the word for the average reader. Nevertheless Ayurveda is known as a system of indigenous medicine unique to the Asia. Many consider it as some sort of an alternative way of treatment of various diseases and ailments. This system of medicine is more than 2000 years old. Ayurveda is the control of upaveda or "assistant information" in Vedic convention. The sources of Ayurveda are found in the Atharvaveda, which contains 114 psalms and spells portrayed as supernatural cures for illnesses. There are likewise different incredible records of the birthplace of Ayurveda, for example that it was derived from Dhanvantari (or Divodasa) from Brahma. Ayurvedic ways of treatments use spices,herbs and oils. 

In ancient times, a portion of the ideas of Ayurveda have been found following the seasons of Indus Valley Human progress and earlier. Ayurveda names three natural substances, or doshas (called Vata, Pitta and Kapha), and insists that the balance of the doshas results in well-being, while the imbalance results in  sickness. Ayurvedic physicians had created different restorative arrangements and surgical systems by the medieval period.

King Buddadasa who reigned from 341 – 370 AD in sri lanka was known as a great physician who practiced Ayurvedic medicine in sri lanka. There are a lot of legends woven around him. The way he treated and operated on both humans and animals. He is known as a king who even treated poisonous snakes using his Ayurvedic knowledge. nowadays there are many Ayurvedic hospitals in sri lanka. Both local and foreign patients come to these hospitals to get treatment. One noteworthy family in sri lanka that practices Ayurvedic medicine is Horavila family Better known as horiwila weda mahaththaya. He has taken ayurveda in sri lanka to a whole new level with his unique treatments using oils and massages.

Cutting edge ayurvedic drug is considered pseudoscientific. some analysts and critics think of it as a proto-science, an unscientific, or trans-science framework instead.
Despite all this criticism by different people , many are the miracles that Ayurveda has performed. Maybe there is no scientific basis to each and every treatment offered by Ayurveda but it has been able to treat some conditions which considered to be incurable by modern medicine. Perfect example can be the number of corona patients who recovered by taking some herbal remedies. still these recoveries are not backed by tests or science but at some point Ayurveda could deliver the goods.

Turmeric aka local saffron at Ranweli Spice Garden

 Turmeric( sri lankan saffron)

 

Affordable saffron

Turmeric known in Europe as Curcuma, is a rhizomatous herbaceous plant which belongs to the ginger family. In sri lanka for the most part roots of Turmeric is used in cooking and  medicine. people also call this Sri lankan or local saffron. This is because it has most of the attributes of Indian saffron or original saffron which is a luxury. Since Indian saffron is a luxury that many people cannot afford, most of the time people preffer sri lankan saffron which is known as turmeric.

 How Turmeric is processed in sri lanka and India

 

Turmeric plants

   

Mature Turmeric roots can be planted and these roots will turn into a small plant in about 6 months. When Turmeric roots are ready leaves of the plant start to dry and then die. when all the leaves are dead we know that the time is ripe for picking.

These roots are dried  for about 30 minutes in the sun, afterwards they are need to be powdered untill it becomes orange-yellow. And this powder is used all over the world for coloring and as a spice in food and curries.

Tumeric powder

Turmeric has been in use in sri lanka and India for many years and is part and parcel of Ayurvedic or indigenous medicine. Ayurvedic doctors prescribe turmeric powder for skin deseases like psoriasis and gout.  In western medicine they have discovered a pain killer for cancer using turmeric powder. 

A long time ago Turmeric was known as a color and then for its therapeutic and medicinal properties. Turmeric is known as a holy spice in India and has been used as part of different Hindu functions for centuries. Hindu people in Sri lanka also use it for cleansing purposes since turmeric is a good germ killer. Turmeric has assumed an imperative part in Hindu mysticism. The robes of the Hindu priests were generally hued with a yellow color made of turmeric. During Tamil celebration Pongal, an entire turmeric plant with new rhizomes is offered as a thanksgiving to Suryan, the sun god. 

Many are the uses of turmeric when it comes to medicine and religion. As far as sri lanka goes turmeric is a spice that sri lankans cannot cook without. In almost all the dishes of sri lanka there is turmeric or kaha(kaha is the term locals use for turmeric). If you cook a curry with no turmeric in it and serve it to a sri lankan he will be able to tell you that the dish is missing turmeric. That is the kind of place turmeric has when it comes to sri lankans.

In sri lanka there is this potato like plant called 'mannyok'. In some countries this plant is known as 'cassava'. From those days there was a belief among sri lankans that this plant has a poison that can even capable of killing an elephant. And when they cooked this food they advised everyone to cook it without closing the pot and with lots of turmeric powder. Because from those days people knew that turmeric is a good germ killer and an anti poison agent.