“Ayurveda”, the science of life and knowledge of healthy living, is perhaps the oldest existing body of knowledge on the healing process, an ancient stream of medicine that understands and explains everything on the basis of its fundamental principles.

These fundamental principles, in a nutshell, explain that in the entirety of the universe all the way down to each and every single cell, there are Five Fundamental great  Elements  (Pancha Mahabhoothas) that are responsible for creating, everything. These elements − Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Space − constitute all animate and inanimate beings.

These five elements (Pancha Mahabhoothas) combine together to form the three doshas (bio-energies) called Vata, Pitta and Kapha, that govern the Universe, our bodies, and everything else. They are not understood by any physical forms but by their functions. These functions are dependent upon their individual properties.
Vata is the first dosha, the energy of movement which is made of space and air. The second dosha is Pitta, the energy of transformation, made of fire and water. The third dosha is Kapha, the energy of lubrication and structure, made of water and earth.

Over indulgence in dietary, lifestyle or environmental factors similar or dissimilar to a particular dosha leads to increased or decreased influence of the same dosha on the equilibrium within the body. This imbalance thus results in ill health or disease. A suitable remedy is therefore chosen from the plant, animal or mineral kingdom to correct the imbalance.

Ayurveda defines Health as “a state of bio-physical and physiological well being and a contented state of consciousness, senses and mind”. Thus, Ayurveda views health from the perspective of the physical, the emotional, the spiritual, the social and the environmental levels giving it a truly holistic view.

“ Samadosa samagnisca samadhatu malakriya:
                        Prasanna atmendriyamana: svastha ityabhidhiyate”
(Ref. Susruta Samhita)                      

All the Ayurveda guidelines, philosophies, principles are concentrated on the individual and maintaining his/her state of health. Changes caused by dietary, lifestyle or climatic imbalances will manifest itself as a disturbance in one’s everyday life. Therefore if one falls ill, then the aim is to treat the individual with the best resources available in nature and streamline the rhythm of the body, providing an improved quality of life.

Benefits of Ayurveda extend well beyond the immediate relief. It helps in reaching the root cause of the disease in order to cure the disease and also aims to prevent the recurrence of the problem with the help of integrating principles of Ayurveda into one’s daily lifestyle. This promotes a holistic approach to prevention and cure of various acute and chronic illnesses originating due to today’s fast-paced and stressful life. Ayurveda treats not just the ailment, but the whole person and emphasizes prevention of disease to avoid the need for cure.