I've heard of Ayurvedic medicine but don't know what it is. Can you explain this to me?

Although a lot of people have not heard of Ayurvedic medicine, it has actually been a form of healing used all over the world for hundreds of years. Ayurveda is acknowledged as the traditional healing system of India. It comes from two Sanskrit words, 'ayur' meaning 'life' and 'veda' meaning 'knowing'.

Some people refer to Ayurveda as the 'science of life'. This is because it is an extremely sophisticated and comprehensive system. Many traditions all over the world were influenced by Ayurveda, including traditional Chinese medicine. The main aim of Ayurvedic medicine is to improve health and longevity. The system is extremely practical and takes into consideration a person's emotional as well as physical health. The main focus of Ayurvedic medicine is nutrition.

Practitioners often use other techniques as well, including body massage, oils and herbs. There are many branches of Ayurveda that are extremely complex. These practitioners have usually studied for a number of years at well respected institutions that are accredited and recognised within the international community.

It is possible, however, for an individual to improve general health with only a couple of basic visits to a practitioner. A practitioner will give you a diet tailor made to suit your individual requirements. Your diet will be worked out based on your individual profile, which takes into account your personality, body, general health and the season.

Instead of using modern psychology to group people into types, Ayurveda uses a system called doshas, which are based on constitution types. There are basically three types of doshas: vata, pitta and kapha and four combinations of doshas. Once your dosha has been established, a practitioner will recommend a diet that will maximise health and wellbeing. Within a very short time of being on their own dosha type diet, people find that they lose weight, have improved skin, hair and nails, develop a strong immune system, have more energy and less anxiety. This can all be achieved by only using the basics of Ayurvedic principles.

If a yoga system based on your dosha is also introduced, you will find even further improvement. People have healed and added years of vitality to their life. It is important to visit a qualified practitioner first to obtain a correct diagnosis, but after that it is possible to develop your own recipes and read about your own dosha type yourself. This is a reasonably inexpensive approach to health and wellbeing.

Always consult your GP before starting any new regime or self treatment. The contents of this article are for information purposes only and are not intended to prevent, diagnose or cure any medical conditions. If you would like a question covered, contact The Clinic of Complementary and Natural Medicine, Kiltartan House, Forster St., Galway on 091- 568804.

Dr H Bhatti is the President of the Association of Naturopathic Practitioners and can be contacted at his clinics at Kiltartan House, Forster Street, Galway on 091-568804 or at The Village Nursing Care Centre, Ballygarriff, Craughwell on 091-777700.

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