Health is defined by WHO as 'a state of physical, mental and social well-being, not merely an absence of diseases or infirmity'. Flexible adjustment to changing demands of environment is health and it is not a state.

Genuine health is perfect functioning of tripod of Body, Mind & Soul.

Holistic healthcare recognizes effect of sociological, psychological, economic, ecological and even political influences on health.

Before 1960, only Allopathic medicine was considered 'scientific' and other indigenous systems, though based on empirical knowledge, were labelled as 'quackery'. Due to scramble for 'appropriate technologies', ideas have changed. Interest in Alternative Medicine is on rise in America and other Wqstern countries.

There are more than 180 systems of Alternative Medicine. Ayurveds is being studied deeply. Homeopathy is already being practised even by Allopathic doctors. Psychotherapy, hypnotism, Yoga Therapy, Yogic Pranayama are vying for their own place. Everything seems to be tending towards Holistic medicine in accordance with concept of holistic health.

Physical, mental, vital, intellectual and spiritual - these are Five Levels of Being. For medicine to be holistic, it should be universally applicable, cover all aspects of health, on all five levels. Early Indian doctors conceived of Holistic medicine on basis of Vedantic Five Sheaths - physical body, vital movements, mental thoughts, intellectual convictions and emotional feelings which cover, as it were, each individual soul.

Holistic Health Concept in Vedas

There are many mantras in Vedas where goal of medicine is described as removal of cause of death, conferring of a lengthy span of life, , purification of thoughts and actions, removal of cause of diseases and ensuring well-being of body, mind and soul.

Indian Holistic Medicine, Ayurveda, which is called a part of Vedas, is attributed to sage Bharadwaja ( 5000 BC ) and originated from Atharva Veda ( ' Atharva Vedasu Upanishadsu Pragulpannah ' ). It is said that Greeks acquired a knowledge of Medicine only after secrets of Atharva Veda were known to them ! Dr Robert Keith Wallace averred "It is appropriate to recognise India as home of most profound knowledge and procedures for development of Physiology" ! ( The Neurophysiology of Enlightenment ).

This popular & holistic concept of medicare & healthcare was taught even to foreign students in Universities of Taxila, Nalanda and Varanasi during AD 500-600.

Ayurveda defines health as ' Svasthya ' ( to be one's own Divine Self'). It is a state of equilibrium of three principles of air ( Vata ), bile (Pitta) and phlegm ( Kapha ), along with a contented state of senses, mind and soul.

Health, said Charaka, famous Ayurveda physician ( A D 500-600 ), is an equipoised state of Body, Mind & Soul. This was to him a state of 'ease'. Contrary to this was 'disease'.

Ayurveda advocates following to maintain health and prevent diseases. A daily routine of rising early, exercises,bathing, oil-massage, gargling and regulated sleep. These must be properly coordinated with Six Rithus, changing seasons. A value-based life is advocated as a prime requisite for good health.

Ayurvedic Guidelines for Holistic Living

Ayurveda prescribes three major guidelines for Healthy Living. They are Dinacharya, Ritucharya & Brahmacharya

Dinacharya

One should get up early in morning at 0430 AM , time prescribed for Meditation. After brushing teeth, one should take an oil bath.

Oil, preferably coconut oil, should be put all over body and one should relax for 30-60 minutes for oil to sink in. Oil Bath is known in Ayurveda as Abhyanga. Because of oil bath, you will get proper sleep. The body becomes fresh. The body is fortified and becomes cool. Oil will take care of all diseases of scalp. It will prevent hair loss. The hair becomes blacker and more healthy.

After Abhyanga, one should do exercise. Exercise will increase digestive capacity and obesity will be controlled. After doing exercise ( Yoga exercises are best ), one should massage body mildly. One should not do excess exercise. Excess exercise can result in weakness, thirst, fever and vomiting. Mild massage can destroy phlegm and reduce fat.

Taking oil bath daily increases digestive fire. It will increase sexual capacity. More energy and strength will be imparted by an oil bath. Physical weakness will disappear. One should pour only cold water over head . Hot water bath is ideal for rest of body.

Ritucharya

Western system of Astrology which follows Tropical Zodiac identifies four major seasons - Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

From March 21 we have beginning of summer, after Spring Equinox. From June 21 we have autumn, after Summer Solstice. From Sept 22 we have Winter, after Autumnal Equinox and after Dec 22, which is pagan festival of Winter Solstice, we have Spring

The Indian system of Astrology which follows Sidereal Zodiac identifies six major seasons known as Rithus. Two months constitute a Rithu. ( Tau Dwau Rithu ).

They are Sisira ( January & February), Vasantha ( March & April), Greeshma ( May & June ), Varsha ( July & August ), Sharath ( September & October ) & Hemantha ( November & December ).

The Three Humurs of Ayurveda are Wind ( Vata ), Bile ( Pitta ) & Phlegm ( Kapha ). Their equilibrium is Health and their disharmony is ill-health.

During Sharath Rithu, Pitta will be more.

During Hemanta Rithu, Kapha will be more. During Greeshma, Vata will be more.

During Varsha, Vata will be more.

During hot Greeshma Rithu, one should avoid hard labour which gives a tough time for body. The ideal foods during Greeshma are Fruit juices, buttermilk, lime juice and these should be taken extensively. Can have cold water bath. Water Melon, plantains, bananas, cucumber, tomatoes, jackfruit and leafy vegetables can be taken in. Uttarayana ( Northern Progress of Sun ) involve six solar sidereal months from Capricorn to Cancer. During this phase, one should take abundant fruits like pomegranate, water melon, orange, grapes and tender coconut water. This phase is known as Adana Kala because much strength is lost from body due to hot season. Plantains and bananas should also be taken in. Rice, wheat, gooseberry ( which is a rich source of Vitamin C ), pineapple, mangoes, cashew, groundnut, carrot, pumpkin,honey, milk and leafy vegetables should also be consumed.

Dakshinayana ( Southern Progress of Sun ) involve six solar sidereal months from Cancer to Capricorn. This phase is known as Visarga Kala , as this is a period which augments physical strength. Bittergourd, gooseberry, chilli, wheat, honey, rice and vegetables can be taken in during this period.

Brahmacharya

Brahmacharya means to roam in Brahman, Absolute, to embrace none but Him. Lustre and virility are all dependent on seventh Tissue Element, Semen. If there is a weaking of this tissue element, body loses potency. Hence need for preserving this vital Tissue Element through proper celibacy.

Havelock Ellis in his "Psychology of Sex " has demonstrated that preservation of semen can result in increased creativity, high MQ & high IQ. High Emotional Quotient and Spiritual Quotient are also boons of Brahmacharya.