In This Chapter
■The history and philosophy of Ayurveda
■Theories of illness and health in Ayurveda
■Diagnostic and therapeutic techniques in
Ayurveda
■Learning about and trying Ayurveda4Ayurvedic Medicine
Ayurveda, one of the oldest medical systems in the world, has been
practiced for 4,000 years in India. It is a holistic and sophisticated sys-
tem encompassing the balance of body, mind, and spirit as well as bal-
ance among people, their environments, and the larger cosmos.
Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word derived from two roots—ayur, which means
life, and veda, or knowledge—and translates literally to the science of
life. Ayurveda has been adapted by Hindu, Buddhist, and other religious
groups and is undergoing a renaissance both in India and throughout
the West.