tailieunhanh - Ayurvedic Medicine: An Introduction

Ralph Steinman discovered, in 1973, a new cell type that he called the dendritic cell. He speculated that it could be important in the immune system and went on to test whether dendritic cells could activate T cells, a cell type that has a key role in adaptive immunity and develops an immunologic memory against many different substances. In cell culture experiments, he showed that the presence of dendritic cells resulted in vivid responses of T cells to such substances. These findings were initially met with skepticism but subsequent work by Steinman demonstrated that dendritic cells have a unique capacity. | . DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institutes of Health National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine jT N ÀM Sr w Ayurvedic Medicine An Introduction Ayurvedic medicine also called Ayurveda is one of the world s oldest medical systems. It originated in India and has evolved there over thousands of years. In the United States Ayurvedic medicine is considered complementary and alternative medicine CAM more specifically a CAM whole medical system. Many therapies used in Ayurvedic medicine are also used on their own as CAM for example herbs massage and specialized diets. This fact sheet provides a general overview of Ayurvedic medicine and suggests sources for additional information. Key Points The aim of Ayurvedic medicine is to integrate and balance the body mind and spirit. This is believed to help prevent illness and promote wellness. Ayurvedic medicine uses a variety of products and techniques to cleanse the body and restore balance. Some of these products may be harmful if used improperly or without the direction of a trained practitioner. For example some herbs can cause side effects or interact with conventional medicines. Before using Ayurvedic treatment ask about the practitioner s training and experience. Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care. Background Ayurvedic medicine also called Ayurveda originated in India several thousand years ago. The term Ayurveda combines the Sanskrit words ayur life and veda science or knowledge . Thus Ayurveda means the science of life. In the United States Ayurvedic medicine is considered a type of CAM and a whole medical system. As with other such systems it is based on theories of health and illness and on ways to prevent manage or treat health problems. Ayurvedic medicine aims to integrate and balance the body mind and spirit thus