Ayurveda, as the Mother of all medicine, literally means the science of life and longevity. Ayurveda itself is not only concerned with healing but with all aspects of human life and with that which is connected to the word "life". It means that it comprises all aspects of human life from birth till death. It gave the system of healing not only humans but also animals, like Gajayurveda, and the system of healing and care for the plant world, Vrikshayurveda. As the traditional Indian system of healing over 5000 years old, it has laid the foundations for the Chinese, Tibetan, Greek, Arabic and the rest of the traditional medicine. In its integral (holistic) approach, it puts all of its weight on the prevention of imbalance of the basic biological energies (doshas); Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Everyone is born with the basic constitutive type (Prakriti), which is being disturbed (Vikruti) due to different exterior and interior influences (nutrition, way of life, stress). Exactly for this reason, the main goal of the Ayurvedic treatment is to determine the primary constitutive type as well as the nature of the disorder itself. This determining is performed by simple, non-invasive methods, and the main ones are pulse diagnostics and diagnostics by means of examining eyes and tongue.

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Introductory consultation consists of a conversation in which all factors in the life of a client are being reviewed. By using simple diagnostic techniques (examination of pulse, tongue, eyes, etc.) a primary diagnosis is made and the causal factors of the present state (on the level of Mind, Spirit and body) are discovered, and on this bases we determine the procedures and treatments which will regain the state of balance.

The word "diagnosis" used here has nothing in common with the meaning of this word that we are used to. Diagnosis in the sense of allopathy presents a group of symptoms for which the system of modern medicine determines a name and as such has nothing in common with the person and his or her real state. The inner state of constructive energies is constantly interacting with our environment and considerably depends on our mental-emotional state. It is a very flexible and variable process and exactly because of this the making of a diagnosis in the Western sense turns such dynamic and alive process into one that is static, mechanistic and dead. As long as there is life in our body and Mind we will change from one moment to the next, because there is nothing that is static in our system. Everybody reacts differently to interior or exterior causes of the symptoms which originate from an immense number of different reasons. So the symptoms are no disease but only the reaction of a person to an interior or an exterior stimulus. The symptoms are not the imbalance or the disease, but they rather indicate the nature of the imbalance or the disease. According to this it is only logical to approach individually, specifically and holistically.

Ayurveda as a holistic medicine primarily determines the imbalances of the basic biological energies of body, mind and Soul. Disorders and diseases occur as a result of imbalances of the constitutive and other biological energies. Therefore, during the introductory consultations we determine the constitutive type (Prakriti) of the person and his or her distance from the inborn constitution (Vikruti). According to these results the client is advised in which way to best adapt his nutrition and life habits to return the disorder to the state of balance. This is made respecting the individual wishes and possibilities through the best possible way towards the set goals. Our goal is always to establish and sustain a balance which provides spiritual, mental and physical health. Taking into consideration all these aspects, we create an individual plan and introduce the client into the program.

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As it was said, for the Ayurvedic medicine the mechanistic diagnosis of the Western kind is not so important, what matters is the constitutive and current interaction of biological energies. It regards the chronic diseases as states that occurred because of the systematic neglect and suppression of the primary imbalances of Mind and body. Such imbalances may exist on subtle levels years before they discover themselves on the physical level. In dealing with such imbalanced energies the approach has to be strictly holistic. In the first line the accent is put on the adjustment of nutrition and life style according to the nature of the disorder. Without this, there is simply no progress. This is common sense and very logical because it is stupid to think of making some progress without putting any effort into it. Every way of thinking different than this falls under a familiar syndrome of ostrich that keeps his head in the sand, in other words, it means expecting positive results out of nutrition and life style that are contrary to the nature of the disorder or a disease. Achieving consciousness of our own role in self-care and self treatment is our path and goal. It is the only true path that brings permanent solutions because the individual decides to take responsibility for his life and health into his own hands. There is no medicine or medical system in the world that can help someone who does not follow instructions or invests even minimally in freeing oneself of the present disorder or a disease. When one's own key role is conceived and the responsibility is taken over, no matter how bad and critical the condition may seem, the results most surely won't fail to come. The key factor is being honest to oneself.

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We have already stated that Ayurveda has a holistic and strictly individual approach to every person. The principles of the Ayurvedic medicine are grounded on the existence of five elements which are all-present in the Universe as in every living creature. The five elements are incorporated in a human being in his emotional-mental aspect as well as in his physical body in the shape of Tridosha (Vata, Pitta, Kapha). In the Ayurvedic medicine there are three basic constitutive types (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) and their combinations which make three mixed types plus one with the balanced constitution, and all together they make seven constitutive types. The basic biological constitutive energies make the basic difference between people. This is just the reason why the Ayurvedic approach is strictly individual, because everyone is a person unique by his/her constitution, heritage and predispositions towards different disorders. By certain techniques we determine the constitutive type for every individual (Prakriti), the present state (Vikruti), and following these notions we provide a plan and a programme for each person. Ayurveda gives great importance to the life and life style of every person in the programme. The importance of nutrition and life style that is harmonized according to the inborn constitution has the key significance.

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Panchakarma is a special part of Ayurvedic medicine which deals with detoxification of the whole human system including the Mind. Panchakarma consists of two words, pancha = five and karma = action. Therefore, by systematic actions through five different aspects the toxins are eliminated from the system. In other words, through Panchakarma treatments the person gets regenerated from the inside and the outside. Panchakarma programmes are made up of two parts, the introductory procedures that last 7, 14, 21 or more days, and the procedures of toxin elimination itself, whose duration depends of the kind of the treatment. The introductory procedures are very important because by using different treatments the toxins are eliminated from the deepest structures of the tissues and cells, they are set in motion and directed to places from which they are driven out through five kinds of actions. By these introductory treatments we accomplish relaxing on the emotional-mental level and on the level of physical body. In this way it is made possible for the circulation channels (physical and subtle) to open and therefore the body is enabled to eliminate the imbalanced biological energies (Vata, Pitta, Kapha) doshas and toxins (ama) on the emotional-mental level and on the physical body. To put it differently, the introductory procedures are used to mobilise and extract the toxins from the deepest levels and to prepare the system for the main treatments of toxin elimination. It is crucial that during the Panchakarma programme, meaning the preliminary treatments and the main treatments, as well as after the treatments, the person has to hold on very strictly to the recommended nutritional habits and life style.

Contraindications for the Panchakarma programme are: pregnancy, monthly period, breastfeeding, infective diseases, chronic and general weakness and exhaustion, angina pectoris, lunge and testicular cancer, high blood pressure.

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The introductory procedures that are applied are:

	Abhyanga shareera or body massage. This procedure is conducted in the period of 14-21 days. It is performed by one or two Ayurvedic therapists simultaneously, by massaging with special rhythmical movements and using warm oils which are chosen on the basis of individual constitution and disorders. Such oils may contain herbal mixtures of 30 to 120 herbs. This kind of massage has nothing in common with any other massage, except for the same name. It is a very pleasant procedure that brings many benefits. Only some of them are: strengthening of the nervous-muscular system, strengthening of the immune system, body constitution and general vitality, rejuvenating of the body, releasing the body of toxins, general reduction of stress followed by better sleep, less mental activity i.e. the reduction of Vata Dosha, etc.
	Abhyangasnanam or oil bath is a treatment in which the client is oiled with a larger amount of oil using special rhythmical movements. This treatment sustains vitality, strength and youth, and prevents skin diseases. It is performed in time of 14-21 days.
	Shiroabhyanga or head massage with oils that have medical qualities. The sort of oil is determined according to the constitution and the kind of disorder. This procedure is performed for up to 14 days and has many benefits like reduction of stress and mental activity through stimulation of energy points (Marma), prevention of otorhinolaryngological disorders and diseases, eye diseases, stopping of hair loss and prevention of hair greying.
	Udwarthanam is a special procedure lasting 14-28 days. It is a kind of dry massage in which are used various herbal powders. This procedure is suitable for reducing Kapha Dosha, that is, for reducing body weight. It also helps in reduction of cholesterol, skin problems, it strengthens the muscular system, returns mobility to the joints, etc.
	Churnaswedana is a procedure lasting 14-28 days in which the whole body is coated with specific oil and massaged with warm bundles of herbal powders. This procedure is used for neurological and rheumatologic problems, arthritis and spondylosis.
	Dhara (Sirodhara) is a procedure lasting 14-21 day. In this procedure special oil is being dripped onto the head in a constant rhythm. This is an extremely relaxing procedure which generally revitalises regenerates and rejuvenates the Mind and body. It reduces stress and tension of the Mind and body, it improves memory and it is used for insomnia and mental tensions. It works very well against all kinds of neurological problems and altogether contributes to the prolongation of life.
	Njavarakizhi is a procedure that is conducted for 14 days. It consists of massaging or tapping certain parts of the body or the whole body, using special herbal preparations and oil mixed with special kind of rice. This procedure is good for all forms of rheumatisms and acute and chronic painful states.
	Pizhicili is a special rhythmic massage during which the client is constantly additionally poured with warm oil. This treatment helps with neurological and rheumatic problems, with stress in general and problems of potency, and it regenerates the body and mind. This kind of treatment lasts 14-21 days.

Panchakarma treatments – the main procedures of elimination of toxins and imbalanced Doshas

	Virechana karmais a procedure by which is accomplished the balancing of the Pitta Dosha. It is used for treating chronic febrile states, skin diseases, hemorrhoids, spleen disorders, tumours, headaches, asthma, constipation, problems with sperm, mental-emotional problems, etc.
	Nasya karma is a procedure of application of specific oils and herbal powders through the nostrils. It affects the balancing of the Vatta, Pitta and Kapha Dosha depending on the sort of oils or herbal powders applied. It helps with all disorders and diseases of ear, throat and nose. It also helps with acute colds, chronically blocked nose, allergies, sinusitis, stiffness of the neck, asthma, frozen shoulder, memory problems, premature greying of hair, etc.
	Vasti karma is a procedure in which different kinds of oils and herbal preparations are applied rectally. This is the best way to balance the Vatta Dosha. It is indicated for all forms of rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, tremor, facial paralysis and other forms of paralysis and paraparesis. This is the way to conduct system detoxification and so it helps with all kinds of chronic diseases.

Other Ayurvedic treatments used only in cases of specific disorders and diseases

	Kativasti is a treatment specifically used for various inflammatory problems of the spine, like spondylosis, discus hernia, sciatica, ankylosing spondylitis. Specific oil is put to the affected area in a special kind of hoop.
	Karnavasti is an application of certain oil into the ear. It is specifically recommended for Vata disorders and any problems with ears, tinnitus, often inflammations of the ear, and sinusitis.
	Hridvasti is a treatment specifically used for the purpose of strengthening the heart. Certain oil is put in a hoop placed on the chest and in that way the oil is held on for 15-20 minutes.
	Netra tarpanam is a treatment specifically used for eye diseases such as conjunctivitis, cataract, glaucoma, vision disorders, etc.

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Ayurvedic cosmetic treatments

	Mukhabhyangaor facial massage is a treatment in which only oils and herbal powders without a single chemical are used. This treatment is recommended for skin problems, it relaxes the skin, returns its shine and rejuvenates it.
	Mukhalepam or a mask is a treatment in which a special herbal mask is applied to the face with the aim of solving problems with skin and regaining its elasticity and shine.

Rasayana Chikitsa or the process of regeneration, revitalisation and rejuvenation by the system of detoxification. Panchakarma also belongs to the procedures of Rasayana Chikitsa but as its smaller part. By Panchakarma treatments the biological age can be reduced up to 20 years, depending on duration and regime of the treatment. Treatments that reduce the biological age for over 20 years belong to Kayakalpa treatments predicted for people who are ready to ascetically accept new challenges of life and the changes that would thoroughly and radically alter all habits that are in conflict with the person itself. During the Panchakarma treatments the metabolic functions in the body are changed and they gradually change the mere core of the cells. By doing so, their functionality and the release of toxins increases which makes the cells open for receiving nutritive substances from the food. When there are toxins on the cellular level, there is an incapability to use even the healthiest ingredients for metabolic purposes. Just for this reason, before each Panchakarma treatment there are introductory procedures with the aim of mobilising toxins from the deepest structures and cells and removing them in one of the five ways of Panchakarma.

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Causes and consequences of excessive body weight

In our Western, consumer civilisation the lack of consciousness of the unity and inseparableness of the body, mind and Spirit is the foundation for the basic negative emotions and the absence of love. It is precisely the absence of love, firstly towards oneself (insufficient care for the health needs of the body, mind and Spirit), that brings us to different emotional disturbances which, by their duration and over-intensity lead to physical disorders. Therefore, people always used to say that problems are made inside our heads. This aspect is especially important in terms of eating disorders. Although the origins are somewhere else, lazy metabolisms, insulin imbalance, exhausting diets, medications for losing weight are factors that can attribute to sustaining obesity. Excessive and inadequate eating, as already mentioned, over the years makes the toxic waist accumulate on the walls of large intestine thus causing self-poisoning of the organism. Overweight people may have up to 30 kilos of this waist in their body, i.e. in their bowels, while average weight people have 3 to 8 kilos. The large amount, as well as the sole toxicity of the material leads to impossibility of transport of nutritive substances by means of otherwise delicate mucous membranes of the intestines, which became coated with this waist. This is just the reason why overweight people are hungry, because their cells are hungry of nutritive substances. This hunger demands still more food which can not be absorbed and it becomes toxic waist in the intestines, in this way forming the vicious circle. As long as the body is not released of this material, and thus of toxins, it is very difficult to talk about the reduction of body weight. Detoxification and life habits in concord with the constitutive type are the permanent solution to this problem.

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