Ayurveda is a holistic system of health care originated in India that teaches us to balance our energies in order to achieve optimum health and wellbeing. Ayurvedic wisdom originated as a spiritual connection and was used to remove the obstacles that prevented self-realization. Today, the medical aspect of Ayurveda has gained priority over the spiritual aspect. Translated, Ayurveda means "science of life". It aims to protect life by providing therapeutic measures that relate to physical, mental, social, and spiritual harmony.

The central concept of Ayurvedic medicine is the theory that health exists when there is a balance between three fundamental bodily humors called Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata is the dynamic principle, pitta is the force behind the ability to transform everything, and kapha is the cohesion that holds everything together. When these humors are in equilibrium the body is healthy. When there is a loss of equilibrium, the body is unhealthy. According to Ayurveda, diseases can be classified into one of seven categories:

Genetic: Such as diabetes, asthma, or skin diseases, all which result from a defective fetus product of an affection in the male or female’s reproductive organs.

Congenital: Product of a nutritional disorder and unfulfilled cravings during pregnancy.

Constitutional: These are somatic or psychic.

Traumatic: Result of a traumatic experience.

Seasonal: Brought about by the body’s failure to adjust to sudden climatic changes.

Infectious and Spiritual

Natural: Resulting from functional, organic, and natural changes in the body.

In Ayurvedic treatment of any disease, two concepts appear: Shamana (alleviation) and Shodhana (elimination). In shamana medicines are usually given internally, whereas in shodana external treatments are given. In Europe and America, the most commonly practiced Ayurvedic treatments are massage and herbal medicines. Ayurvedic medicines are made from herbs or mixtures of herbs, either alone or in combination with minerals, metals, and other ingredients of animal origin which are purified before being used for medicinal purposes.