Role of Ayurveda and Yoga in Psychosomatic Disorders

Abstract

Psychosomatic disorders are a group of diseases which involves both mind and body. They are physical illness, like IBS, gastrointestinal ulcers, diabetes mellitus caused by mental factors such as stress, anxiety and depression. Studies have established a relation between the role of stress in weakening immunity. This dual nature of psychosomatic disorders is reflected in the dual approach of sharirik bhava – vatta, pitta, kapha and Manas bhava – satva, rajas, tamas of ayurveda in relation to its integrated effect on the functioning of the human body. Since these diseases have medically unexplained symptoms, thus the best possible treatment approach should be non-invasive therapy with a holistic view and negligible side effects. This body-mind balance can be achieved by a combined effort of ayurveda and yoga. The ancient ayurvedic science of Dincharya (daily-routine), Ritucharya (seasonal routine), sadvritta (code of good conduct for mental health and social behavior), ahar(food), vihar (recreation) and nidra (sleep) along with the yogic practice of asthang yoga can be explored as a potential preventive pathway. Further, the two types of treatment methods mentioned in ayurveda along with the avoidance of pragyaparadha, asatmaendriyartha sanyoga and kala, techniques like shirodhara, nasya, medhya rasayana and bhasma etc in combination with yoga as an auxiliary tool complete with panchkosha can be a helpful advancement in the direction of the treatment of psychosomatic disorders.

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