Ayurveda, a holistic science, is a stream of knowledge passed down from generation to generation. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word made up of “Ayu: + Veda” where Ayu: means “Life”, a conjunction of “body, sense organs, mind and soul”, and “Veda” means “Knowledge”. So, in short, Ayurveda means “knowledge of life”. According to the definition, Ayurveda principally focuses on maintaining good health and adopting a healthy way of life. It not only deals with disease and its cure but also with life in general.
The Ayurveda does not consider the living body as an independent entity. Biological, mental, spiritual and cosmic activities are interdependent and interrelated. Therefore, in Ayurveda, ailments and malfunctions are treated in the context of an individual’s social, cultural, and spiritual environment and cosmic link.
The primary human constitution depends upon the relative proportion of the Tri-dosha or humors which maintain the integrity of the body and are responsible for all physical and mental functions. These three doshas or humors are derived from the five fundamental or material elements or Pancha-mahabhuta.
The first historical documents concerning Ayurveda are found In Rig Veda and Aatharva Veda. Aatharva Veda is the first written document on the concept of Tridosha or humors, about health care along with anatomy, physiology and use of medicinal plants to get rid of the illness. Ayurveda is said to be a part (upaveda) of Aatharva Veda. So its origin is traced back to Vedic times of about 5000-10000 B.C.
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