As a health professional in holistic medicine, one must become an expert in treating the mind, body, and spirit to become an ayurvedic practitioner. Ayurveda is a medical system that has evolved over thousands of years in India. The goal of ayurvedic medicine is to rebalance a patient’s energy and constitution with the world’s elements. As alternative medicine has gained acceptance in the Western world, more courses of study for those interested in learning ayurvedic medicine have become available.
Ayurvedic practitioners look at a patient’s health history, stress level, energy level, and personal life, as well as vital signs and other physical indicators like tongue, eyes, and skin condition. This information identifies what in the patient’s body is out of balance. Following a diagnosis, treatment may include dietary changes, digestive tract cleansing, exercise, and meditation practices.
One of the most important subjects in the pursuit of becoming an ayurvedic practitioner is medical knowledge. Some nurses and doctors study ayurvedic medicine as part of or after their medical education. While there is no requirement for practitioners to be certified in the United States, India has a wide range of programs to choose from. A student working for a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) or a Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (DAMS) in an Indian ayurvedic hospital or school can earn a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) or a Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (DAMS) (DAMS).
A student must study nutrition and diet, as well as the effects of foods and herbal remedies on a person’s health and well-being, in addition to medical training. Anatomy, botany, the connection between mind and body in health, therapeutic massage, mental health issues, exercise, yoga, and meditation should all be familiar to an ayurvedic practitioner. Finally, the student should become acquainted with the treatment philosophy. He or she must be familiar with the traditional elements of fire, water, earth, air, and space, as well as their relationship to the human body, spirit, and mind, and the techniques for balancing the dosha, or mind/body type, of the patient.
A student interested in becoming an ayurvedic practitioner should seek out a program that has produced professional and successful medical professionals. Students can find the right program using online resources and discussions with current practitioners. If an ayurvedic course of study does not offer hands-on workshops or internships, a student should look for other ways to practice skills before working as a practitioner.