Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medical system based on ancient Vedic writings which explores a natural and holistic approach to physical and mental health. Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems and remains one of India’s traditional health care systems. Ayurvedic treatment combines products (mainly derived from plants, but may also include animal, metal, and mineral), diet, exercise, and lifestyle.

What is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda is an ancient Indian medical system based on ancient Vedic writings which explores a natural and holistic approach to physical and mental health. Ayurvedic medicine is one of the world’s oldest medical systems and remains one of India’s traditional health care systems. Ayurvedic treatment combines products (mainly derived from plants, but may also include animal, metal, and mineral), diet, exercise, and lifestyle. What is Ayurveda? Because Ayurveda views the body as one holistic entity, the study takes into consideration both the conscious and the physical aspects of a person before assessing what changes must be made in order to establish a balance between the body, mind and spirit. ​ ​​ ​ Ayurveda treatment starts with an internal purification process, followed by a special diet, herbal remedies, massage therapy, yoga, and meditation. ​ ​​ ​ Ayurvedic treatment aims to eliminate impurities, reduce symptoms, increase resistance to disease, reduce worry, and increase life's harmony.

History

Ayurveda is a natural system of medicine which originated in India over 3000 years ago. Originating from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge), the practice of Ayurveda quite literally translates to knowledge of life. ​​ ​​ ​ Ayurveda is considered to direct information from the Hindu God, Brahma, who was the creator of the universe. Brahma passed on this holistic knowledge of healing onto the sages, who then passed this onto disciples, then to the rest of the people through various writings and oral narrations. The information about the healing properties of the herbs was composed in the form of poems, called Shlokas, which described the use of medicinal plants, and within the four Hindu compilations of knowledge known as the Vedas. ​ ​​ ​ Ayurvedic medicine is based on the idea that the world is made up of five elements: aakash (space), jala (water), prithvi (earth), teja (fire), and vayu (air). These five elements then make up the three main categories (doshas) of fundamental regulatory principles of the body, mind, and behavior, named Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. These are believed to be responsible for every person’s physiological, mental, and emotional health.