Ayurveda is the oldest and the most holistic and comprehensive medical system in the world. Ayurveda was originated long before the time of written history. According to Indian mythology Lord Brahma , the God of creation perceived Ayurveda. In ‘Charaka Samhitha, Ashtanga Sangraha and Ashtanga Hridaya it is narrated that Lord Brahma recollected Ayurveda and taught to Daksha Prajapati (Son of Brahma) Daksha Prajapati has given this, knowledge to ‘Ashwini Devas’ who in turn taught Indra (King of Gods).

“Brahma smrithwayushor vedam -
Prajapathimajigrahath
So Aswino thou Saharaksham-
So Athriputhradikan muneen
Thebhyo Agniveshadikamsthe thu prithak-
Thantrani thenire. . .

The main fundamental principle of Ayurveda is the ‘Tridosha’ principle. According to this principle ‘Tridoshas’ (Vatha, Pitta and kapha) are the functional units of the body. Just as the universe is maintained by Soma (moon), Soorya (sun) and Anila (air) an individual’s body is maintained by Kapha, Pitta and Vatha. These three doshas maintain the body when they are normal and balanced. If there is imbalance and abnormality arises in these three doshas, the individual becomes diseased.

Rogasthu doshavyshamyam
Dosha samyamarogatha”.
“Dosha eva hi sarvesham roganamekakaranam”

When diseases begin to trouble human being in the world, the sages meet in an assembly on the Himalayan slopes and decided to send Bharadwaja to learn Ayurveda from Indra. Bharadwaja learned Ayurveda from Indra and taught other sages of the earth.

The word Ayurveda is the combination of two Sanskrit words ‘Ayu’ and ‘Veda’ which means life and knowledge respectively. Hence Ayurveda is called the Science of life. The most ancient depositary of human knowledge is the ‘Vedas’. All the subjects of art and science have their original source in the ‘Vedas’. ‘Rig’, ‘Yajur’, ‘Sama’ and ‘Adharva’ are the four Vedas. All the four Vedas are replete with references to various aspects of medicine. The fundamental principles of medicines, anatomical and physiological descriptions, descriptions of various diseases, descriptions of various medicinal plants are available in the Vedas. The Adharva Veda contains much more descriptions about Ayurvedic medicines than other Vedas. Hence Ayurveda is considered to be the ‘Upaveda’ of Adharva Veda.

Other fundamental principle of Ayurveda is the ‘Pancha Bootha’ principle. According to Indian philosophy, each and every object of the universe is composed of five eternal elements, namely ‘Prithvi’ (earth), ‘Ap’/'Ambu’ (water), ‘Tejas’/'Agni’ (fire), ‘Vayu’ (air) and ‘Akasha’ (space). By the combination of these five Boothas in different proportions, infinite number of objects is formed. Though ‘Tridoshas’ are also “panchaboothic”, there is predominance of specific bootha in specific dosha. ‘Vayu’ and ‘Akasha’ are predominant in ‘Vata dosha’. ‘Agni’ is predominant in ‘Pitta dosha’. ‘Jala’ and ‘Prithvi’ is predominant in ‘Kapha dosha’.

According to Ayurveda, health is a state of balance between the body, mind and consciousness. Within the body, Ayurveda recognizes the three doshas (somatic humours) vata, pitta and kapha; seven dathus (tissues) namely ‘Rasa’ (plasma), ‘Raktha’ (blood), ‘Mamsa’ (muscle), ‘Meda’ (fat), ‘Asthi (bone), ‘Majja’ (bone marrow), ‘Sukla’ (sperm & ova); three ‘Malas’ (wastes) namely faeces, urine and sweat; and ‘Agni’ (energy for metabolism). Whose three ‘doshas’, seven ‘dathus’, three ‘malas’ and ‘Agni’ are harmonious, and whose self, mind and senses are cheerful- such a one is said to be healthy. Diseases cannot attack a healthy body. One has to maintain a healthy body to keep diseases at a distance. To maintain a healthy body, the principles of health are narrated under two sections, in Ayurveda. They are ‘Dinacharya’ (measures that should be practiced in day to day life) and ‘Rithucharya’ (measures that should be observed according to the seasons).

Ayurveda gives equal importance to both preventive and curative aspects. Ayurveda offers methods of finding out early stages of diseases that are still undetectable by modern medical investigation. It is the knowledge of life in its entirety, that is body, mind and soul. It is one of the very few medical systems that take into consideration physical, mental, social, ethical and spiritual well being of the mankind.

The eight branches of Ayurveda are:

‘Kayachikitsa’ (General medicine)
‘Kaumarabhritya’ /’Balachikitsa’ (Paediatrics)
‘Grahachiktsa’ (Psychiatry)
‘Shalakya thantra’ (Ear, Nose and Throat)
‘Shalya thantra’ (Surgery)
‘Agada thantra’ (Toxicology)
‘Rasayana’ (Rejuvenation)
‘Vajikarma’ (Aphrodisiacs)