Are you one of the millions of Americans for whom health care is one of your primary concerns? Everyone deserves adequate health coverage in case tragedy or serious illness strikes. But what about our day to day well-being? Nobody wants to visit the doctor every time a runny nose or fever shows up in the house. Wouldn't it be a relief to know that you could handle the minor illnesses on your own? Or even better, wouldn't you like to live a lifestyle that serves to prevent illness in the first place? The key to good health lies in drawing upon the wisdom of ancient medical systems that teach preventative medicine and balanced living.
Apply ancient principles
As discussed in "What is Ayurveda", the traditional medicine of India is all about living a lifestyle and eating a diet in balance with the natural elements. If followed precisely, this should be a prescription for good health. However even the most disciplined person is still human after all, and is susceptible to falling sick. This is where Ayurveda comes in really handy. Understanding its principle of opposites give you most of what you'll need to treat yourself. For example, suppose you wake up one morning with a fever and a sore throat. You recall from what you've learned about Ayurveda that both of those symptoms mean you have heat in your body. So when you get up you drink some mint tea, because you know that mint is cooling and will help to bring your fever down and soothe your throat. You then choose nourishing foods throughout the day that are also cooling. You avoid spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol. You find the appropriate herbal remedies in your medicine cabinet or you consult your Ayurvedic practitioner or acupuncturist. These are all examples of how you can apply the principles of a medical system that has stood the test of time in order to treat your own minor illnesses.
A small price to pay
It requires investing a certain amount of time and effort to fully understand Ayurveda or Chinese Medicine. And it costs some money to equip your medicine cabinet with the herbal remedies you will need to have on hand when illness strikes. However, the price tag on herbs and even monthly visits to your acupuncturist fall far below what most people spend on health insurance and co-payments, or visits to the ER.
That is not to say that there is no need for basic health coverage. It is important and everyone is entitled to it. Unfortunately there are times when we truly need it. But the investment in your health through preventative medicine has the highest return of all. The savings involved in living a balanced lifestyle and eating a diet appropriate to our constitution and to the season is infinite. I say the same thing about paying the higher price for organic food - I'd rather pay now than at the hospital later.
We all have the power to take responsibility for our own health. In these uncertain and unhealthy times, it's important to stay ahead of the game and take matters into our own hands. I feel confident drawing upon the medical advice that has helped people for thousands of years. I always say, if it didn't work after 5000 years, people wouldn't still be using it!
Bodhimed is a proud participant in the Prevention Not Prescriptions blog carnival.