OUR GOAL: A HEALTHIER, YOUNGER YOU
The Charaka Samhita is the oldest and most comprehensive Ayurvedic medical textbook and is still the primary text used today in Ayurvedic medical colleges. It was composed in approximately 400BC and consists of eight separate books and 120 chapters describing the true nature of the human mind and body, causes of human disease, symptomatology, and treatment for a wide range of diseases. The very first chapter in the lengthy section on treatment, Rasayana Adhyaya, is devoted entirely to rejuvenation, i.e. anti-ageing, therapies. Its placement as the first subject in this encyclopedic section denotes the importance it was given by the ancient sages. Early in the chapter, this position of primacy is clearly explained:
दीर्घमायुः स्मृतिं मेधामारोग्यं तरुणंवयः|
प्रभावर्णस्वरौदार्यं देहेन्द्रियबलं परम्||७||
वाक्सिद्धिं प्रणतिंकान्तिं लभते ना रसायनात्|
लाभोपायो हि शस्तानां रसादीनां रसायनम्||८||
dīrghamāyuḥ smr̥tiṁ mēdhāmārōgyaṁ taruṇaṁ vayaḥ|
prabhāvarṇasvaraudāryaṁ dēhēndriyabalaṁ param||7||
vāksiddhiṁ praṇatiṁ kāntiṁ labhatēnā rasāyanāt|
lābhōpāyō hi śastānāṁ rasādīnāṁ rasāyanam||8||
“By rejuvenative treatment, one attains longevity, memory, intelligence, freedom from illness, youthfulness, excellence of lustre, complexion and voice, optimum strength of physique and sense organs, perfection in deliberation, respectability and brilliance. Rasayana is the means of attaining excellent qualities of rasa etc. dhatus i.e. body cells and tissues.” [CS, Chi I, 7-8]
While no one today can literally turn back the hands of time, we can restore your youthful physiology and vitality by re-educating your mind and body and allowing you to feel, function, and appear like you did when you were decades younger. Modern medical science has now given us the explanation, hitherto unknown, of how gentle measures such as diet, detoxification, meditation, yoga, herbal medicines, and lifestyle changes powerfully affect our health.
We now understand that ultimately the way our genes express themselves is what determines our health status, the development of disease, and our lifespan. In modern terms this is known as epigenetics, but centuries before analysis of our gene expression was possible, Ayurveda had provided humanity, in great detail, with knowledge of the greatest threats to disease and premature aging. More importantly, Ayurveda tells us what we can do to prevent and reverse it. We begin by directing our genetic expression in the direction of health and youth by giving new instruction sets that impact not only on our physical, neurological, metabolic, and hormonal balance, but every tissue in our body. Just as importantly, Ayurveda stresses the importance of mental rejuvenation as well and has time-honored practical methods for accomplishing this. Until recently, Ayurvedic physicians could not explain in modern rational terms how the measured interventions of meditation, yoga, herbal medicines, etc could have such profound salutary effects. There were centuries and centuries of carefully documented observations and case studies, but no “scientific basis”—until the recent advent of epigenetics.
Ayurveda is authentically holistic.
Ayurvedic medicine is regarded as a type of integrative medicine, and although it is currently just being discovered by many people throughout the world, it is in many ways a return to the original practice and philosophy of pre-technological natural and holistic medicine which existed in many cultures around the planet. Holistic medicine emphasizes the close relationship between the patient and physician, the innate healing ability of the body, and the importance of addressing all aspects of an individual’s life to attain optimal health and healing.
Today, it is en vogue to hear a doctor claim that his or her practice “addresses the underlying causes of disease” A very recent brand of practitioners of functional medicine often use this catchphrase. While it seems true that most of these practitioners do spend more time with their patients, listening to their histories and looking at the interactions among genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, they then ultimately resort to a very reductionist treatment involving numerous supplements and intravenous vitamins aimed at correcting metabolic abnormalities.
Bio-Pyscho-Social-Spiritual Care.
In contrast, Ayurvedic physicians seek to understand what is going on for a patient not just physically and biochemically, but emotionally, socially and spiritually. Before we even get to the discussion of the main symptoms which brought them into the office, the first things for me are: how are they sleeping, how healthy is the support from family and friends around them, how are they eating, their health-promoting and health-destroying habits, what is their life goal.
We also consider day-to-day lifestyle choices and emotional support systems and how these are having positive or negative effects on health. Everyone seems to acknowledge, these days, that the mind affects the body, but Ayurveda truly takes that from a nice-sounding sound bite to a primary practical part of treatment.
A truly integrative, systems-biology-based, yet intuitive healthcare approach.
Once a physical (i.e. osteoporosis, gastric ulcer) or a biochemical (i.e. elevated blood glucose, low thyroid hormones, etc.) abnormality appears, that is already a “downstream” effect. Western medicines address these issues symptomatically—with bisphosphonates (osteoporosis), proton pump inhibitors (ulcer), metformin (blood glucose), or levothyroxin (low thyroid). Ayurvedic physicians look “upstream” to consider the complex web of interactions in the patient’s history, physiology, and lifestyle, both tangible and intangible, that can lead to imbalance and illness. There are both subtle (thought patterns, emotional style, doshic vikriti) and gross (structural, metabolic, dietary, toxic load, epigenetic, and social environment) factors that affect the state of health. The clues are not always found on lab reports or cat scan images.
Ayurveda does not discriminate.
Although it is currently not being utilized for this purpose, the primary value of Ayurveda is for disease prevention through diet, exercise, preventative herbal tonics (rasayanas), periodic bio-purification, and mind-body practices (yoga asana and pranayama). However, most people look to Ayurveda only after they have become aware of a distressing condition of some sort.
Ayurvedic medicine therapeutics in the modern age primarily utilizes time-tested natural holistic treatments in accordance with our view of a human being as an interrelated amalgam of physical, emotional, and energetic features. Where appropriate, if the physician is properly trained and credentialed, we do carefully integrate Western biomedical practices, use laboratory testing and other diagnostic techniques, and some Western stress-management techniques. We do not, however, generally prescribe pharmaceutical medications (although I am certainly professionally and legally capable of doing so) because of the ultimate harm they do to the physiology in most cases.
Personalized Medical Care.
Occasionally, you might hear from a friend or family member who has greatly benefited from a specific Ayurvedic procedure (i.e. panchakarma) or herbal medicine (i.e. Shatavari, Asparagus racemosus) and raved about it--while other people you know report that it doesn’t work. The importance of carefully individualizing every aspect of Ayurvedic treatments cannot be overstated.
One of, if not the, most important fundamental tenet of Ayurvedic medicine is that each person is unique and has an equally unique path to health and longevity. What works for you will likely not work for me. Even at most so-called “integrative medicine” centers, the treatments and programs are largely the same--based on the needs of the average adult or at best are inadequately personalized. However, the facts remain that humans come in different races, genders, sizes and shapes, education, cultures, and metabolisms and different inherited or acquired epigenetic marks. Therefore, Ayurvedic teaching emphasizes that treatment of any disease or condition must be precise. Each of our minds and bodies respond uniquely and at GIAM we pay attention to these differences so that we can design the best possible program uniquely for you.
We believe that it is essential to listen to your story carefully so that we can fully understand your concerns and your goals. Your biography in many ways creates your biology. We partner with you closely, honor your inner wisdom, and modify our programs in real time according to how you respond. We want you to be successful whether you are pursuing the cure of a chronic disease, anti aging, weight management, hormonal balance, or simply eating healthier.
That success depends upon how well you can learn to live in harmony with nature, its cycles, the elements, and with your own unique constitution. Ayurveda, the science of longevity, generously provides us with the road map.