HealthNotes

Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient Hindu medical system, continues to grow in popularity in the US. A growing number of Ayurvedic schools and spas are opening for business, and according to the LA Times, federally funded research is now looking into the efficacy of these traditional treatments. Developed thousands of years ago, Ayurveda takes a comprehensive approach to health care: good health is achieved via balance and harmony. People are grouped into three categories of traits and characteristics, called doshas. One’s dosha determines how their individual medical problems will be diagnosed and treated. Because Ayurveda seeks to address both the root cause and the symptoms of a variety of health issues, it is not a quick fix, but rather a lifestyle that may include the use of herbs, meditation, yoga, and massage, among other things. There are currently no national regulations for Ayurvedic schools in the US, so the quality of training can vary widely. This may change in 2016, when the two organizations responsible for enforcing the standards for Ayurvedic medicine plan to implement a national board certification exam.

Source: Los Angeles Times