Ayurveda is considered by many scholars to be the oldest healing science. It is the “The Science of Life”. Ayurvedic knowledge originated in India more than 5,000 years ago. It stems from the ancient Vedic culture and was taught for many thousands of years in an oral tradition from accomplished masters to their disciples.
Some of this knowledge was set to print a few thousand years ago, but much of it is inaccessible. The principles of many of the natural healing systems now familiar in the West have their roots in Ayurveda. It is the first medicinal science that treats the diseases as a combination of body and soul. It advises ways to achieve complete happiness by recommending the ideal way of living.
The Literal Meaning of Ayurveda
Etymologically, the word Ayurveda is made up of two basic terms – Ayu and Veda. Ayu means life and Veda means knowledge or science. So the literal meaning of the word Ayurveda is the science of life. Ayurveda stresses the prevention of disease and advocates the use of good herbs.
Knowledge of this science helps to create this balance health by maintaining a balance in one’s life, right thinking, diet, lifestyle and the use of body, mind and consciousness according to the individual constitution (prakriti) and how to make lifestyle changes to bring about and maintain this balance.
Life according to Ayurveda is a combination of senses, mind, body and soul. So it is clear from this definition that Ayurveda is not only limited to body or physical symptoms but also gives a comprehensive knowledge about spiritual, mental and social health laying the path to a complete way of fit and healthy life.