A recent report of WHO states that over 80% of the world population depends on traditional medicines for their primary healthcare needs. Ayurveda is one among the traditional medical systems practiced in the world. Ayurveda is believed to be the oldest and most holistic medical system available in the world. This medical system originated in India. Ayurveda is a grassroots medical system and focuses on unfolding the cause and deeper issues of human health. Ayurveda approaches the preventive and curative aspects of life in an inclusive manner. Hence it represents the WHO’s concept of health in a meaningful way. The term Ayurveda means ‘Science of Life’.

Ayurveda, a holistic healing science evolved around 600 BC in India, the origin of which can be traced back to the Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharva), which are the oldest available classics of the world. Rigveda and Atharva gives detailed accounts of health problems and diseases. Charak Samhita and Sushruta Samhita are considered as the basic texts of Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda, life is not the body alone. It amalgamates the senses with mind, body and soul. Hence, in Ayurveda, disease is not only based on physical symptoms but also related to mental health and peace.

Later Ayurveda developed into a mature medical science with eight branches which have parallels in the modern western system of medicine. Ayurveda focuses on the maintenance of the balance and harmony between environment, body, mind and soul. It believes that all aspects of creation are inter related. According to Ayurveda, health is conditioned by the balance of three essential elements or ‘tridoshas’ (doshas, literally mean defects) in the body viz. vata (wind), pitta (bile) and kapha (mucous or phlegm). The body will be healthy when these three elements are balanced in human body. But when these elements are abnormally present or dysfunctional human body tend to be sick. Ayurveda approaches the uniqueness of each patient and by helping each body to heal itself. Ayurvedic physicians mainly diagnose the disease with the help of pulse, urine, faeces (stool), tongue, eyes and skin. The Ayurvedic treatment mainly consists of powders, tablets, decoctions, medicated oils, etc., made from natural herbs, plants and minerals. Ayurveda treatment emphasizes more on healthy diet and food habits than medicines. Therefore, regulation of diet as therapy has great importance. Ayurveda considers the human body as the product of food.

In the United States, Ayurveda is considered as a complementary and alternative medicine, (CAM)-or more specifically, a CAM whole medical system.

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