Ayurveda originated in India a long back in prevedic period. Rig-Veda and Atharva-veda (7000 years B.C.), the earliest documented ancient Indian knowledge have reference of Ayurveda. Ayurveda is made up of two Sanskrit words Ayu – Life or life span and Veda – is knowledge i.e. knowledge of life. In other words Ayurveda is science of life and for life. Ayurveda imparts preventive, curative and remedial measures, covering psychological and spiritual aspects of life. It shows us holistic way of living i.e. in totality it is a science for body, mind and soul.

This eternal science deals with the total creation and functioning of life. The main objective of Ayurveda is preservation of health and prevention of disease. Ayurvedic therapeutic is based on natural remedy for health and prevention of disease, rejuvenation of body functions, enhancement of the immunity and healthy aging. In short, Ayurveda teaches to live life optimally. Modern research shows that Practice of healthy lifestyle with seasonal and dietetic regimen, which is the base of Ayurvedic disease management, can prevent most of the present day life style induced diseases.

Universe as well as human body are made up of five basic elements collectively called ‘Panch Mahabhootas’. These are Aakash (Either), Vayu (Air), Agni (Fire), Aapa (Water) and Prithvi (Earth). The sixth mandatory component of life is Atma (life spirit) without which life ceases. The human body is made up of Doshas (Bio-humours), Dhatus (Body matrix) and Malas (excretal products). Vata, Pitta and kapha, known as Tridoshs are physiological entities of the body which are responsible for carrying out all the functions of the body. Dhatus are the structural entities of the body. These are Rasa (Plasma), Rakta (Blood cells), Mamsa (Muscular tissue), Meda (Fatty tissue), Asthi (Bony tissue), Majja (Bone Marrow) and Shukra (Hormonal and other secretions of genital). Agni (Metabolic fire) is in thirteen different forms and carries out the whole metabolism of the body. The waste products of the body which are excretal are produced in the body as bye-products of metabolism. These are known as malas which include pureesh (faeces), Sweda (sweat) and Mutra (urine). All biotransformations within the body occur through Srotases (body channels) which are the sites for action of Agni, plus Panch gyan Indriyan and Panch karam Indriyan. Any imbalance in these and way of living style and mental thinking process cause disease. In other words dis---ease i.e. when not at ease, the person is diseased.

Basic Principles of Ayurveda : Post Vedic literatures, Upnishads and Darshans aim at basic understanding of natural law, so as to achieve a spiritual perfection for whole man-kind. Ayurveda being influenced by contemporary spiritual thoughts has accepted all these basic principles.

Now the word ‘AYU’ is defined as integration of Sariya (Body), Indryan (Senses), Satwa (Intelligence), Atma (consciousness). Ayurveda not only treats a disease but coherence between Indriyans nourishes the intelligence and ultimately elevating consciousness. Sariya (Body) undergoes construction and destruction (Metabolisom) including Indriyan which are further divided into two categories (Sa-Indriyan) Chetan-Achetan (Nir-Indriyan). Human body consists of 24 elements (23+1) i.e. Tatwas and these Tatwas plus consciousness is equal to human body.

Tatwas are as follows:
Tridoshas ---- 3
Trimala ---- 3
Sapta Dhatu ---- 7
Panch gyan Indriyan ---- 5
Panch karma Indriyan ---- 5 + (Plus)
Mana-Psyche

Ayurveda detoxifies and rejuvenates the body by means of the different ways of cleansing / purification, treatments and strengthening measures.

Ayurveda Re-emerged with more and more scientific ways to treat human aliments on the basis of following:
Kaya Chikitsa (Internal Medicine).
Shalya (Surgery).
Shalkya (Otorhinolaryngology and Ophalmology).
Kaumr Bhritya (Paediatrics, Gynaecology and Obstetrics)
Agad Tantra (Toxicology).
Rasayana (Geriontology).
Bajikaran (Aphrodisiacs).
Bhoot Vidya (Psychiatry).