Ayurveda(/ˌɑːjʊərˈveɪdə,-ˈviː-/)is a system of medicine with historical roots in theIndian subcontinent.Globalized and modernized practices derived from Ayurveda traditions are a type ofalternative medicine.In countries beyond India, Ayurvedic therapies and practices have been integrated in generalwellnessapplications and in some cases in medical use.[pageneeded]

The main classical Ayurveda texts begin with accounts of the transmission of medical knowledge from the Gods to sages, and then to human physicians.InSushruta Samhita(Sushruta's Compendium),Sushrutawrote thatDhanvantari, Hindu god of Ayurveda, incarnated himself as a king of Varanasi and taught medicine to a group of physicians, including Sushruta.Ayurveda therapies have varied and evolved over more than two millennia.Therapies are typically based on complex herbal compounds, minerals and metal substances (perhaps under the influence of early Indian alchemy orrasa shastra). Ancient Ayurveda texts also taught surgical techniques, includingrhinoplasty,kidney stone extractions, sutures, and the extraction of foreign objects.

Although laboratory experiments suggest it is possible that some substances used in Ayurveda might be developed into effective treatments, there is no scientific evidence that any are effective as currently practiced.[dubious–discuss]Ayurveda medicine is consideredpseudoscientific.Other researchers consider it aprotoscience, or trans-science system instead.In a 2008 study, close to 21% of Ayurveda U.S. and Indian-manufactured patent medicines sold through the Internet were found to contain toxic levels ofheavy metals, specificallylead,mercury, andarsenic.The public health implications of such metallic contaminants in India are unknown.

The earliest classical Sanskrit works on Ayurveda describe medicine as being divided into eight components (Skt.aṅga).[21][22]This characterization of the physicians' art, "the medicine that has eight components" (Skt.cikitsāyām aṣṭāṅgāyāṃचिकित्सायामष्टाङ्गायाम्), is first found in the Sanskrit epic theMahābhārata, ca 4th century BCE.[23]The components are:[24][25][26]

Kāyachikitsā: general medicine, medicine of the bodyKaumāra-bhṛtya: the treatment of children, pediatricsŚalyatantra:surgical techniquesand the extraction of foreign objectsŚhālākyatantra:treatment of ailments affecting ears, eyes, nose, mouth, etc. ("ENT")Bhūtavidyā: pacification of possessing spirits, and the people whose minds are affected by such possessionAgadatantra: toxicologyRasāyantantra:rejuvenationand tonics for increasing lifespan, intellect and strengthVājīkaraṇatantra:aphrodisiacsand treatments for increasing the volume and viability of semen and sexual pleasure.

Indiais known for its traditional medicinalsystems—Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani. Medicalsystemsare found mentioned even in theancientVedas and other scriptures. ... The literal meaning ofAyurvedais “science of life,” becauseancient Indian systemof health care focused on views of man and his illness.Jun

Among India's many claims to fame is the ancient medical science known asAyurveda(from the Sanskrit wordsayur, or life, andveda, science). This is a healing method that relies on herbs as medicines for maintaining good health. The 5,000-year-old system of natural healing is originated in India's ancient Vedic culture. It was suppressed during the years of foreign occupation, but its medical practices have been enjoying a resurgence both in its native land and throughout the world.