Ayurveda : Basic Facts

The principles and philosophy of Ayurveda view man as an intricate whole, together with his external and internal environments.

Ayurveda believes in 'five great elements' earth, water, fire, air and space forming the universe, including the human body.

Chyle, Blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow, and semen are believed to be the seven primary constituent elements of the body, made from aforesaid five great elements.

The structural aspect of our body is made up of five elements, but the functional aspect of the body is governed by three biological humors(doshas). Space and air together constitute VATA; fire and water, PITTA; and water and earth, KAPHA. They govern both physio-pathological and psycho-biological changes in the body and present at every level of organization viz cell, tissue and organ.
Ayurveda stresses a balance of three substances: vata (wind/spirit/air), kapha (phlegm), and bile(pitta).  According to Tridosha doctrine disease results from loss of balance between of these three Doshas.

Ayurvedic treatment comprises :
Diet
Herbs : Chemical treatment originating from plant product and extract
Rashyan : Chemical treatment from stones, earthy matters, metals etc
Massage as passive exercise
Yoga as active exercise

Panchakarma (panch : five, karma:action) literally meaning "five actions" is the word for the five different procedures used in Ayurveda which followers of it believe purify the body, elminate toxic element.

Eight disciplines of Ayurveda treatment, called Ashtanga

• Surgery (Shalya-chikitsa).
• Treatment of diseases above the clavicle (Salakyam).
• Internal medicine (Kaaya-chikitsa).
• Psychiatry (Bhuta vidya).
• Paediatrics (Kaumarabhrtyam).
• Toxicology (Agadatantram).
• Prevention and building immunity (rasayanam).
• Aphrodisiacs (Vajikaranam)

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