In the ayurvedic system of medicine, the classification of diseases and their treatments is often based on the imbalances of natural elements. This is very different from the approach that modern medicine takes.

Ayurveda draws a parallel between the physical body and the physical world.

According to ayurveda, all living beings utilize the raw materials available in the physical world for their growth, sustenance, and well-being.

Natural elements are fundamental

All the different creatures inhabiting this world therefore consist of the same stock of raw materials; they only differ in the way these raw materials are organized. This implies that living creatures would generally have the same chemistry and share the basic elements of the physical world.

Thus air, an element of the natural physical world, is present in the body of all living beings as well, and is recognized as Vata. The heat in the body is akin to the sun and is called Pitta. The coolness attributed to the moon is represented as Kapha.

Ayurveda states that the balance of these three elements in a body is what keeps it alive and in harmony with Nature and the physical world throughout the process of its physiological growth and ultimate degeneration.

Imbalance between natural elements causes disease

Disease, according to ayurveda, occurs as a result of an imbalance between these three natural elements in the body. Therefore the system of medication and the various practices prescribed in ayurveda work towards restoring this fine balance between these three elements.

The medicinal system of ayurveda bases its remedies, cures, and formulations primarily on herbs and their extracts. However, animal extracts too have been used at times in the preparation of Ayurvedic formulations.

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