Ayurveda
Man is a created spirit-being and it is to this spirit, Ayurveda speaks. 'Ayur' means 'life' and 'Veda' means 'science' literally meaning the "Science of Life."
Ayurveda is the traditional system of medicine that has been practiced for over 5,000 years. Ayurvedic medicine was based on a theory of the balance of three essential vital forces in the individual. Ayurvedic wisdom originated in the main Vedas as a part of way of life - a spiritual connection with spirit and nature. Somewhat similar to the Western concept of humors (a notion propounded by Hippocrates in the fifth century BCE that the human body contained four humors, or fluids, on whose equilibrium health depended), these vital forces called Tridoshas or "three doshas" are vayu or 'vata' (loosely translated as wind), 'pitta' (bile), and 'kapha' (mucus).
The balance of those vital forces gives each person his or her specific mental and physical characteristics. Imbalance—resulting in disease—arises from either congenital or inborn causes and acquired or external factors. Such external agents could be diet, addictions and habits, inappropriate foods and drinks, sexual habits, place of residence, climate, or injuries.
Ayurveda operates on the precept that various materials of vegetable, animal, and mineral origin have some medicinal value. The medicinal properties of these materials have been documented by the practitioners and have been used for centuries to cure illness and/or help maintain good health. Ayurvedic medicaments are made from herbs or mixtures of herbs, either alone or in combination with minerals and plant products .The raw plants and minerals are purified several times by individual processes before being used for medicinal purposes. This is accomplished with preparations of herbs & organic vegetation products; decoctions in clarified butter (ghi); and dietary adjustments in one's lifestyle. These Ayurvedic concepts allow physicians to examine the homeostasis of the whole system.
Ayurveda focuses on the spirit, soul and mind for it is in the harmony of these, lies abundant health. According to this perspective, Ayurveda is concerned with measures to protect the "LIFE" or "Ayus" of the person and balance his spirit and mind to bring his disturbed body in harmony and vitality. Ayurvedic wisdom originated in the main Vedas as a part of way of life - a spiritual connection with spirit and nature.