Ayurveda is the system of healing naturally. It came from the words Ayur which means life and Veda which means science, Ayurveda literally means the science of life. A 5,000-year-old practice that originated from the country of India’s Vedic culture. It is under the Indian System of Medicine that also includes Siddha, Sowa-Rig-Pa, Unani, and Yoga. Traditional Chinese medicine and Tibetan medicine have emerged from Ayurveda. Ideas from Ayurveda have been used for early Greek medicine as well. Wisdom from Ayurveda is designed to assist people in staying healthy and active to achieve their full potential. It presents ideal practices, lifestyle, diet, and usage of senses for daily routines and seasonal activities.
According to Ayurveda, there are three energies that influence the movements, structure, and transformation of our inner and outer conditions and are responsible for the mind and body. The three energies are Vata or the wind, Pitta or the fire, and Kapha or the earth. It acknowledges that humans are one and part of nature. There are also two main principles that guide Ayurveda: first, is that the mind and body are inseparable; and second, the mind has the best power to heal and transform the body. Meditation allows the mind and body to restore and keep balance. Through this, neurotransmitters and hormones that the body needs are produced that in return keeps the body healthy. Whether you are just getting started with your yoga and mindfulness practice, or a seasoned yogi, these books may provide you with some guidance.
Top 10 Ayurveda Books for Beginners
As a practice that is believed by many, a lot of books were written about Ayurveda by pundits who have studied and spent years practicing Ayurveda. Here are the best ayurvedic books for beginners:
|
Title |
Rating |
Description |
| Ayurveda for Dummies by Angela Hope-Murray | 4.3/5 | The book provides a complete introduction to Ayurvedic medicine including its history and beginning, a guide to balancing exercise and nutrition, herbal remedies, yoga, and massages. |
| The Book of Ayurveda: A Holistic Approach to Health and Longevity | 4.5/5 | A practical guide on Ayurveda, an ancient healing system from India. This book provides the secrets of using vital energies to achieve good health and long life. It also provides knowledge in achieving balance and harmony. |
| Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom: A Complete Prescription to Optimize Your Health, Prevent Disease, and Live with Vitality and Joy by Judith H. Morrison | 4.5/5 | This book provides guidance in balancing and restoring mind, body, and spiritual health with the help of nature. It also includes an encyclopedia of terms used in Ayurveda as well as different practices, recipes, and knowledge. |
| Textbook of Ayurveda: Fundamental Principles of Ayurveda by Dr. Vasant Lad | 4.6/5 | Dr. Vasant Lad, an Ayurvedic Physician teaches Ayurvedic Studies Program as a science of moment-to-moment living. This book represents Dr. Vasant Lad’s experience in teaching Ayurveda. It provides beginners a detailed foundation on Ayurveda. |
| Ayurveda: The Science of Self-healing (A Practical Guide) by Dr. Vasant Lad | 4.6/5 | The book explains the principles and practical use of Ayurveda in life. Charts, diagrams, and tables are included to thoroughly explain the topics. |
| Ayurveda Beginner’s Guide: Essential Ayurvedic Principles and Practices to Balance and Heal Naturally by Susan Weis-Bohlen | 4.6/5 | A practical and straightforward guide to Ayurveda, it provides an overview of the practice, a 3-week plan for beginners, techniques, and in-depth descriptions of dosha. The book will provide guidance in discovering the powers of Ayurveda in achieving a healthy mind, body, and spirit. |
| Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice by Sebastian Pole | 4.6/5 | The book includes an essential overview of the culture that Ayurveda has developed and the scientific basis on its practices. It explains the medical system of Ayurveda and guides practitioners, especially beginners on using herbal medicine in life and practice. |
| Ayurvedic Healing: A Comprehensive Guide by David Frawley | 4.6/5 | A book on Ayurvedic medicine and using it as a treatment for 80 common diseases. It includes extensive methods such as meditation, diet, mantras, gems, oils, and herbs to cure. |
| The Ayurveda Bible: The Definitive Guide to Ayurvedic Healing by Anne McIntyre | 4.7/5 | A comprehensive guide that provides knowledge on Ayurveda’s history, prime qualities of Ayurveda, and assessing one’s constitution. The book also includes information on diagnosis and treatment of different diseases. |
| Ayurveda (Idiot’s Guides) by Sahara Rose Ketabi | 4.9/5 | A must-read introduction for beginners on Ayurveda. It discusses Ayurveda in a contemporary way that reflects today’s modern way. |
The best books to read by beginners should be easy to read, it should have simple words, diagrams, pictures, examples, and tables. Many of the books written about Ayurveda are known pioneers and modern practitioners that have different knowledge and specialty on the subject. Here are more details about the books and where to get them.
1. Ayurveda for Dummies by Angela Hope-Murray
This book provides very simple terminologies and language that is easy to understand. Reading the book should provide an understanding of one’s body type to be able to plan diets based on it and based on the current season. The book also includes yoga poses with descriptions and pictures. There is also a glossary of words in the book that provides the Sanskrit terms with English and Latin translations.
2. The Book of Ayurveda: A Holistic Approach to Health and Longevity
The book provides comprehensive knowledge of Ayurveda and its practical aspects. It is filled with diagrams, tables, and pictures that give good descriptions, especially to beginners. It promotes self-awareness to have better well-being.
3. Ayurveda Lifestyle Wisdom: A Complete Prescription to Optimize Your Health, Prevent Disease, and Live with Vitality and Joy by Judith H. Morrison
The author shares her experience in learning Ayurveda directly from her grandfather. Basic principles, body types, and diets are discussed based on the different seasons. The book also includes different recipes and remedies that can be constructed based on one’s personal needs and constitution. A good book to read for beginners who also want to learn about beauty routines and rituals.
4. Textbook of Ayurveda: Fundamental Principles of Ayurveda by Dr. Vasant Lad
Dr. Vasant Lad is a certified practitioner of Ayurveda. He has been teaching about Ayurveda for more than 20 years already. There are three volumes of the Textbook of Ayurveda. This provides students with a better understanding of the topic. Being the first volume, it provides an introduction to Ayurveda. Illustrations and diagrams are included in the book to provide a better explanation of the subject.
5. Ayurveda: The Science of Self-healing (A Practical Guide) by Dr. Vasant Lad
This is another book written by Dr. Vasant Lad. It covers history and philosophy, the basic principles, diagnostic techniques, treatments, diet, usage of kitchen herbs and spices as medicine, antidotes using food, first aid, and many more. Different illustrations, figures, and diagrams are also used to provide a better explanation. An index and glossary were also included for terms needing to be clarified further.
6. Ayurveda Beginner’s Guide: Essential Ayurvedic Principles and Practices to Balance and Heal Naturally by Susan Weis-Bohlen
Susan Weis-Bohlen is an Ayurvedic consultant and a cooking and meditation, teacher. The book is best for beginners who want to discover Ayurveda. Dr. Vasant Lad, another author of books about Ayurveda, and a guru have provided approval of this book.
7. Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice by Sebastian Pole
Sebastian Pole aims to provide simplified knowledge on the practice of Ayurvedic medicines and herbs. The book includes information on more than 100 different medicinal herbs and 50 traditional formulas. It also has pictures that describe the herbs in detail. It acts as a manual and reference book for beginners and practitioners. It provides different concepts and scientific information on medicine.
8. Ayurvedic Healing: A Comprehensive Guide by David Frawley
Author David Frawley is a scholar that has received the Padma Bhushan award in India. The book is well organized and explains the science of Ayurveda describing common methods and treatments of common diseases. Information on herbs is also included in the book. It has well-organized chapters and sections.
9. The Ayurveda Bible: The Definitive Guide to Ayurvedic Healing by Anne McIntyre
A handy book that provides a detailed description of the Ayurveda principles including uses and formulations of different Ayurvedic herbs and spices. The book discusses the connection between one’s diet and a person’s Ayurvedic constitution, which helps in achieving a healthier lifestyle.
10. Ayurveda (Idiot’s Guides) by Sahara Rose Ketabi
This is the best book on ayurveda. The writer, Sahara Rose Ketabi is an Ayurveda enthusiast and a yogi. She was also recognized by guru Deepak Chopra. Information from Ayurvedic herbs and spices to plant-based recipes is discussed in the book. It includes information on how the body’s needs change with the changes in the environment, in the season, and even at the time of the day.
Conclusion
Each of the books described has its own personality, depending on the author who has written the books. These best books on ayurveda help in determining one’s Ayurveda constitution, identifying one’s dosha, and provide an introduction to the world of Ayurveda and how to apply it in our daily lives.