Ayurveda: The Science of Life

Ayurveda is a traditional holistic healing system that originated in India. It focuses on achieving balance and harmony in the body through natural remedies, diet, and lifestyle changes.
Category
Traditional medicine
Where to get
Ayurvedic clinics and practitioners
Prepared by Shruti Sahoo, reviewed by Dr. Eugene Smith

Ayurveda FAQ


Image credit: keralatourism.org

What does Ayurveda mean?

What is Ayurveda? Ayurveda, a natural system of medicine, originated in India more than 3,000 years ago. The term Ayurveda is derived from the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and veda (science or knowledge). Thus, Ayurveda translates to knowledge of life.

What is Ayurvedic medicine?

Ayurvedic medicine is about much more than providing treatment. Ayurveda is one of the world’s oldest medical systems. Originating in India 5,000 years ago, it relies on a natural and holistic approach to physical, mental and emotional health. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

Is Ayurveda a traditional medical system in India?

In India, Ayurveda is considered a formal medical care system equivalent to conventional Western medicine. It’s estimated that 80% of India’s population of 1.2 billion people use some form of traditional Ayurvedic medicine. In India, there are many government and private Ayurvedic medical schools, clinics and hospitals.

Is Ayurveda the oldest healing science?

Ayurveda is considered by many scholars to be the oldest healing science. In Sanskrit, Ayurveda means “The Science of Life.” Ayurvedic knowledge originated in India more than 5,000 years ago and is often called the “Mother of All Healing.”

What is Ayurveda in India?

In India, Ayurveda is considered a form of medical care, equal to conventional Western medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, naturopathic medicine, and homeopathic medicine. Practitioners of Ayurveda in India undergo state-recognized, institutionalized training.

What is Ayurveda based on?

Ayurveda follows the concept of Dinacharya, which says that natural cycles (waking, sleeping, working, meditation etc.) are important for health. Hygiene, including regular bathing, cleaning of teeth, oil pulling, tongue scraping, skin care, and eye washing, is also a central practice.

Ayurveda References

If you want to know more about Ayurveda, consider exploring links below:

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