Ayurveda describes the beneficial, nonbeneficial, happy and unhappy aspects of life

Ayurveda describes the beneficial, nonbeneficial, happy and unhappy aspects of life. Health is defined as the state of equilibrium of dosha (humours), agni (digestive juices, enzymes and hormones), dhatu (tissues) and the normal excretion of mala (waste materials), along with a happy state of atma (soul), indriya (sensory and motor organs), and manas (mind). Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word derived from ayuh (life) and veda (knowledge), and is also known as the “science of life”.

Rigveda (2000 BC) is the oldest recorded document regarding use of plants as medicine in India, and this tradition continued in another ancient text,

Atharvaveda (1500-1000 BC), which described more plants and introduced basic concepts.

In 1000 BC, Punarvasu Atreya (head of the school of medicine) and Divodas Dhanvantari (head of the school of surgery) imparted knowledge and practical training to their students. The brilliant scholars of these schools faithfully documented the precepts of their masters in their compendia, popularly known as the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita , respectively.

The Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita are the basic scriptures of Ayurveda, but they are supplemented by thousands of additions based on observation and experience, none of which affect the sanctity of the basic texts.

Ayurveda is based on the principle that the entire universe and the human body are one, and that the same principles govern both. The changes that occur in the universe with the passage of time also occur in the human body. Hence, substances of natural origin are congenial to the human body and help to maintain the balance of its constituents. Both the universe and the human body are made up of five elements. A balanced state of these elements in the body brings health, and an imbalance brings disease. The elemental composition of the body is explained in the theory of dosha, dhatu and mala, which is the foundation of Ayurveda. The aim of Ayurveda is to achieve equilibrium between doshas and dhatus, which is believed to bring health and longevity.

The Ayurvedic concepts of physiology, pathology, diagnosis, medicine and

therapeutics are based on the doctrine of tridoshas: vata, pitta and kapha. They are designated as doshas because of their capacity to vitiate other doshas and also as dhatus as they support the body. The doshas are present in every cell and move through every channel of the body.