As per Ayurveda, the human body consists of three
primary life forces or biological humors, which are Vatha, Pitha and Kapha.
These three doshas are called the tridoshas. Good health is the balance among
these life forces. Any imbalance among the tridoshas causes a state of
unhealthiness or disease. The main position given to humoral equilibrium
indicates its importance in maintaining health. Any disequilibrium is
considered to lead to disease. Health is the physiological maintenance of all
the functions of the living beings, while disease is the disturbance in the
physiology.
Ayurveda is also considered as ‘Science of
life’. This makes it the earliest medical science having a positive concept of
health to be achieved through a blending of physical, mental, social, moral and
spiritual welfare. According to the ancient
books of knowledge, health is considered to be a prerequisite for achieving the
supreme ends of life consisting of righteousness, wealth, artistic values and
spiritual freedom. Preventive and curative aspects of diseases are considered
as important components of the concept of positive health.
Ayurvedic Treatments deal elaborately
with measures of healthful living during the entire span of life and its
various phases. Besides dealing with principles for maintenance of health, it
has also developed a wide range of therapeutic measures to combat illness.
These principles of positive health and therapeutic measures are related to
physical, mental, social and spiritual welfare of human beings. Thus Ayurveda
became one of the oldest systems of medicine dealing with both the preventive
and curative aspects of life in a most comprehensive way.